Education and training of mandated reporters: Exploring reporter biases

Mandated reporting (MR) to child welfare systems is intended to protect vulnerable children. However, instead of solely fulfilling that mission, MR also often perpetuates systemic injustice associated with historical and intergenerational family trauma, particularly affecting lower socioeconomic status (SES) and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) families. The surveillance of impoverished and BIPOC families contributes to disproportionate reporting and unjust interventions, which can exacerbate systemic inequalities and disrupt familial structures throughout the investigation following an initial report. The over-representation of minoritized families in the child welfare system is attributed to biases in MRs. Research shows that lower SES and BIPOC families face more scrutiny by child welfare services, resulting in unsubstantiated reports that place unnecessary stress and trauma on families and risk escalation of punitive measures against them. This contributes to the destabilization of families, as stigma associated with child welfare involvement can have long-lasting impacts. This article posits that a decarceral approach to MR prioritizes prevention, support, and community-based resources over punitive reporting practices, fostering an environment that respects family autonomy and cultural integrity. A crucial element of a decarceral approach is training of MRs, which can mitigate impacts of biases that influence reporting decisions. This article provides strategies for training MRs that focus on increasing awareness of reporter biases and fostering critical assessment of structural inequities contributing to dynamics warranting consideration of a report.