Children and dependent adults in Iowa deserve the greatest possible protection from abuse. The Department of Health and Human Services strives to achieve this through encouraging reports when abuse is suspected, prompt assessment of these reports, and working with families and supports to assist in providing a safe and stable home environment.
Mandatory reporters are essential partners in protecting children and dependent adults from abuse. As professionals who have frequent contact with children or dependent adults, mandatory reporters are trained to identify the signs that a child or and dependent adult may have suffered abuse or neglect.
2024 Law Changes Impacting Child and Dependent Adult Welfare
Mandatory Reporting Site Poster
ATTENTION: If you are an employee of a Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility, please review your employer's internal policies and procedures for additional clarification on your federal requirements for mandatory abuse reporting.
ATENCIÓN: Si usted es empleado de un Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility, revise las políticas y procedimientos internos de su empleador para obtener aclaraciones adicionales sobre sus requisitos federales para la notificación obligatoria de abusos.
List items for Mandatory Reporter
Mandatory reporters are required to make an oral report of suspected abuse within 24 hours when they reasonably believe a child or dependent adult has suffered abuse.
Iowa Code section 232.69 defines some professionals as mandatory reporters of child abuse and Iowa Code section 235B.3(2) defines some professionals as mandatory reporters of dependent adult abuse.
The Iowa HHS Learning Management System moved to a new platform.
- All learners must start by using the registration URL to create and connect your Workday account.
- Follow this link to learn How to Create, Connect and Unlock a Workday Account.
- After registering, use this url to log in.
- If you have additional questions, view our Mandatory Reporter Help Guide.
Workday Learning Resources (You must be logged in to Workday Learning to view.)
- Using Workday Learning: Search and Enroll for Mandatory Reporters
- Using Workday Learning: Print My Certificate
If you have any technical questions or experience any issues regarding Mandatory Reporter training, please email mandatoryreporter@hhs.iowa.gov.
The following Mandatory Reporter Training courses are available:
- DS 168 Dependent Adult Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training (English)
- DS 168 Dependent Adult Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training (Spanish)
- DS 169 Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training (English)
- DS 169 Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training (Spanish)
ATTENTION: If you are an employee of a Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility, please review your employer's internal policies and procedures for additional clarification on your federal requirements for mandatory abuse reporting.
Como alternativa lingüística, las capacitaciones incluyen subtítulos en español del audio del idioma principal de la presentación. La opción de subtítulos en español puede ser activada por el usuario dentro de cada una de las capacitaciones.
Los siguentes cursos de la Capacitación para Denunciantes Obligatorios son disponibles:
- Español DS 168 Capacitación para denunciantes obligatorios de abuso de adultos dependientes (disponible en inglés y español)
- Español DS 169 Capacitación para denunciantes obligatorios de abuso infantil (disponible en inglés y español)
ATENCIÓN: Si usted es empleado de un Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility, revise las políticas y procedimientos internos de su empleador para obtener aclaraciones adicionales sobre sus requisitos federales para la notificación obligatoria de abusos.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has the legal authority to conduct an assessment of child abuse when it is alleged that:
- The victim is a child.
- A child is defined in Iowa Code section 232.68 as any person under the age of 18 years.
- The child is subjected to one or more of the categories of child abuse defined in Iowa Code section 232.68:
- Physical abuse
- Mental injury
- Sexual abuse
- Prostitution of a child
- Presence of illegal drugs in a child's body
- Denial of critical care
- Dangerous substance
- Bestiality in the presence of a child
- Allows access to a registered sex offender
- Allows access to obscene materials
- Child Sex Trafficking
- The abuse is the result of the acts or omissions of:
- a person responsible for the care of the child; or
- a person 14 years or older who resides in a home with the child, if the allegation is sexual abuse; or
- a person who engages in or allows sex trafficking.
Child Abuse Laws - Reporting, Assessment, and Rehabilitation
A perpetrator of child abuse must be a person responsible for the care of a child, a person 14 years or older who resides in a home with the child, if the allegation is sexual abuse, or a person who engages in or allows child sex trafficking.
A person responsible for the care of a child is defined in Iowa Code 232.68 as one of the following:
- Parent, guardian, or foster parent.
- A relative or any other person with whom the child resides and who assumes care or supervision of the child, without reference to the length of time or continuity of such residence.
- An employee or agent of any public or private facility providing care for a child, including an institution, hospital, health care facility, group home, mental health center, residential treatment center, shelter care facility, detention center, or child care facility.
- Any person providing care for a child, but with whom the child does not reside, without reference to the duration of the care.
- A person who assumes responsibility for the care or supervision of the child may assume such responsibility through verbal or written agreement, or implicitly through the willing assumption of the care-taking role.
Perpetrators of child abuse come from all walks of life, races, religions, and nationalities. They come from all professions and represent all levels of intelligence and standards of living. There is no single social group free from incidents of child abuse.
Abusive parents may show disregard for the child's own needs, limited abilities, and feelings. Many abusive parents believe that children exist to satisfy parental needs and that the child's needs are unimportant. Children who don't satisfy the parent's needs may become victims of child abuse.
Sexual abusers may have deviant personality traits and behaviors that can result in sexual contact with a child. Sexual abuse perpetrators sometimes use threats, bribery, coercion or force to engage a child in sexual activity. They violate the trust that a child inherently places in them for care and protection, and exploit the power and authority of their position as a trusted caretaker in order to sexually misuse a child. Often the child is threatened or warned "not to tell," creating a conspiracy of silence about the abuse.
In regard to dependent adults, ‘Caretaker’ means a related or non-related person who has the responsibility for the protection, care, or custody of a dependent adult as a result of assuming the responsibility voluntarily, by contract, through employment, or by order of the court.
‘Dependent adult’ means a person eighteen years of age or older who is unable to protect the person’s own interests or unable to adequately perform or obtain services necessary to meet essential human needs, as a result of a physical or mental condition which requires assistance from another, or as defined by Department rule.
Mandatory reporters have a right to:
Report suspected abuse without interference from their employer or supervisor (in accordance with Iowa Code section 232.70 and Iowa Code section 235B.3(3)(b)). The employer or supervisor of a person who is a mandatory reporter cannot apply a policy, work rule, or other requirement that interferes with the person making a report of suspected child abuse.
Mandatory reporters of child abuse are entitled to immunity from any civil or criminal liability (in accordance with Iowa Code section 232.73), which might otherwise be incurred when they participate in good faith in:
- Making a of report, photographs, or X rays,
- Performing a medically relevant test, or
- Aiding and assisting in an assessment.
Mandatory reporters of dependent adult abuse are entitled to immunity from any civil or criminal liability (in accordance with Iowa Code section 235B.3(11)) which might otherwise be incurred or imposed based upon the act of making the report or giving the assistance. The person has the same immunity with respect to participating in good faith in a judicial proceeding resulting from the report or cooperation or assistance or relating to the subject matter of the report, cooperation, or assistance.
- Oral notification by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), within 24 hours of making the report of suspected child abuse, as to whether or not the report has been accepted or rejected (in accordance with Iowa Code section 232.70).
- Written Notice of Intake Decision from HHS, indicating whether the report of suspected child abuse was accepted or rejected (in accordance with Iowa Code section 232.70).
- An outcome notice from HHS (in accordance with Iowa Code section 232.70), indicating whether the report of suspected child abuse was Founded (Substantiated and Placed on the Registry), Confirmed (Substantiated but Not Placed on the Registry), or Not Confirmed (Unsubstantiated).
- An outcome notice from HHS (in accordance with Iowa Code section 235B.8(2)), of the results of the dependent adult abuse assessment and confidentiality provisions.
- Request a copy of any founded abuse assessment in which they were the mandatory reporter (in accordance with Iowa Code section 235A.15 and Iowa Code 235B.6).
Mandatory reporters have a responsibility to:
- Make an oral report of suspected abuse within 24 hours when they reasonably believe a child or dependent adult has suffered abuse (in accordance with Iowa Code sections 232.69 and 235B.3).
- Note that a written report of suspected abuse is no longer required.
- Call 911 or make an oral report to law enforcement when they believe a child or dependent adult is in need of immediate protection (in accordance with Iowa Code section 232.70 and IAC 441—176.5(2)).
- Know and identify potential child abuse as defined in Iowa Code section 232.68 and potential dependent adult abuse as defined in Iowa Code section 235B.2(5)(a)
Q: Is the 1-hour recertification training still available?
A: No. Every mandatory reporter in Iowa is required to complete the core child and/or dependent adult abuse mandatory reporter training, as provided by HHS, within 6 months of initial employment or self-employment and every three years thereafter.
Q. Is it the employee or employers’ responsibility to assure mandatory reporter training requirements are fulfilled?
A. It is the responsibility of the employee AND employer to assure compliance with the law. Every mandatory reporter in Iowa is required to complete the core child and/or dependent adult abuse mandatory reporter training, as provided by HHS, within 6 months of initial employment or self-employment and every three years thereafter.
It is up to the employee to maintain record of their certification and provide it to their employer in order to be considered up to date on the statutory requirements of mandatory reporting. It is up the employer to assure they have record of the employees' certifications to document that their employees are up to date on the statutory requirements of mandatory reporting.
Q: What if I question the validity of a HHS certificate an employee provides as proof that mandatory reporter training was completed?
A: Contact mandatoryreporter@hhs.iowa.gov for questions regarding the validity of mandatory reporter training certificates for child abuse or dependent adult abuse.
Q: How do I know if I am a mandatory reporter?
A: Iowa Code 232.69(1) and Iowa Code 235B.3(2) define mandatory reporters in the state of Iowa. Please reference Iowa Code and speak to your employer to determine if your employment falls in the categories outlined. If you continue to have questions whether your employment qualifies you as a mandatory reporter, please seek legal advice from a legal professional. HHS is not able to provide legal advice.
Q: Is the Mandatory Reporter Training curriculum still reviewed and approved by the Department of Public Health?
A: No. Effective July 1, 2019, HHS is responsible for developing and providing all training for mandatory reporters in Iowa.
Q: What prompted the changes to how Mandatory Reporter training is offered?
A: Please see the Mandatory Reporter Training and Certification Workgroup Report.
Q: Does Mandatory Reporter Training taken in another state meet the training requirements in Iowa?
A: No. Any mandatory reporter who practices in Iowa is required by law to take the Iowa Mandatory Reporter Training. States differ in how they define abuse, and any mandatory reporter must be knowledgeable about Iowa Code to practice in Iowa.
Q: Is there a fee for the mandatory reporter trainings?
A: There are no fees for the trainings - they are free for all.
Q: What is the timeframe to complete Mandatory Reporter Training?
A: Mandatory reporters for child abuse and mandatory reporters for dependent adult abuse have the same timeframe. Every individual required to report suspected abuse as defined in Iowa Code 232.69(1) and Iowa Code 235B.3(2) must complete the mandatory reporter training within their first six months of employment or self-employment and every three years thereafter(unless otherwise specified by federal regulations). If your employment qualifies you as a mandatory reporter for both child abuse and dependent adult abuse, you are required to take both trainings and maintain certification for both curricula.
Q: Will there be an opportunity for organizations to get a report on their employees from HHS on who has completed the training?
A: HHS will not be able to provide reports regarding who has completed the training. All training participants who successfully complete the training will receive a training certificate. The participant will have the ability to email, download and print their training certificate as proof of training completion. The certification of completion will be retained in the participant's training account, and it can be accessed at any time. Employers who require their staff to provide proof of training should provide clear instructions to their employees on how their organization will track training completion.
Q: Are the child and dependent adult abuse trainings still combined for one 2-hour training?
A: No. There are now separate curricula for child abuse and dependent adult abuse, each with their own certification.
Q: How often am I required to recertify?
A: Mandatory reporters must take the training every 3 years in order to remain in compliance with the law.
Q: Will I be reminded that my 3-year certification is preparing to expire by HHS’ LMS?
A: Not at this time. Mandatory reporters are responsible for keeping their certification current. Once participants have registered and completed Mandatory Reporter Training through HHS’ LMS, they may access their individual account at any time to review their last certification, which includes the completion date.
Q: Is support available to me if I have a technical issue?
A: Yes. Email mandatoryreporter@hhs.iowa.gov for assistance.
Q: Are Continuing Education Units offered for the mandatory reporter trainings?
A: The Iowa Board of Social work states that it is the licensees’ responsibility to determine if the continuing education programs they attend meet the requirements of their professional licensure board. Those important requirements can be located on the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals' (DIAL) website.
The Iowa Board of Nursing has approved the mandatory reporter trainings, for both child abuse and dependent adult abuse, as fulfilling 2.0 contact hours of nursing continuing education. Questions regarding nursing CEUs may be directed to ibon.heldesk@iowa.gov.
For all other disciplines, please direct any questions regarding CEUs to your respective professional licensure board.
Q: Can an employer administer the training?
A: No, each participant must create their own account on HHS’ LMS and take the training individually. An employer can provide supplemental training as it relates to their professional practice in addition to the core training curriculum provided by HHS.
Q. What if there are multiple mandatory reporters who need to report the same abuse?
A. When more than one mandatory reporter reasonably suspects abuse involving the same incident, each mandatory reporter is required to make a report of suspected abuse. One call can be made to make the report jointly. Just assure that the names and contact information for all mandatory reporters making the joint report are provided to the HHS intake worker and that each of the reporters' concerns are provided during the call.
Access to Confidential Abuse Information and Non-Redissemination Agreement, Form 470-3767
Authorization for Release of Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Information, Form 470-3301
Record Check Evaluation, Form 470-2310
Investigacion de antecedentes penales, Form 470-2310(S)
Report of Suspected Child Abuse, Form 470-0665
Reporte de sospecha de abuso de menores, Form 470-0665(S)
Request for Child and Dependent Adult Abuse Information, Form 470-0643
Child Abuse: A Guide for Mandatory Reporters, Comm. 164
Dependent Adult Abuse: A Guide for Mandatory Reporters, Comm. 118
Abuse infantil: Una guia para informadores obligatorios, Comm. 164(S)
Differential Response System: Family Assessment, Comm. 450
Sistema de respuesta diferencial: Evaluación familiar, Comm. 450(S)
The State Has My Child! What Can I Do?, Comm. 146
El estado tiene a mi hijo! Que puedo hacer?, Comm. 146(S)
Reporting Child or Dependent Adult Abuse
- Please be ready to provide identifying information about the child or dependent adult, their parents or other caregivers, and the whereabouts of the child or dependent adult and family.
- While mandatory reporters are required to provide their name and address, all other reporters may remain anonymous.
- Mandatory reporters are required by law to make a report of suspected abuse within 24 hours of becoming aware of the concern(s).