Official Site of The State of New JerseyThere are several State Divisions and Offices responsible for the reporting and investigation of abuse or neglect allegations involving children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Please note: The Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families is not an emergency first responder or reporting agency. Please contact us if you have difficulty reaching any reporting and investigation office or unit, would like to discuss an experience of abuse or neglect or have concerns about the process.
There are multiple offices within the Department of Children and Families (DCF) that exist to protect children against abuse, neglect and exploitation and are responsible for investigating complaints.
Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P)
Child Protection and Permanency is New Jersey's child protection and child welfare agency within the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. Its mission is to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and support families. CP&P is responsible for investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect and, if necessary, arranging for the child's protection and the family's treatment.
The Child Abuse Hotline (State Central Registry) receives reports of child abuse and neglect 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. All reports of child abuse and neglect, including those occurring in institutional settings such as child care centers, schools, foster homes and residential treatment centers, must be reported to the State Central Registry (SCR).
Institutional Abuse and Investigation Unit (IAIU)
DCF's Institutional Abuse and Investigation Unit (IAIU) is responsible for investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect in out-of-home settings such as foster homes, residential treatment centers, schools and detention centers. IAIU consists of a central office and four regional offices.
There are multiple offices within the Department of Human Services (DHS) that exist to protect adults against abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Adult Protective Services (APS)
If someone you know is 18 years of age or older, living in the community and is the subject of abuse, neglect and/or exploitation, contact your county APS office.
A vulnerable adult is:
Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Abuse and Neglect Reporting Hotline
To report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability, call the DDD Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Detailed information on the reporting process may be found in the FAQ on Reporting Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation document maintained by DDD.
Office of Program Integrity and Accountability - Office of Investigations
The Office of Investigations (OI), housed under the DHS Office of Program Integrity & Accountability (OPIA) conducts civil investigations related to serious allegations/incidents of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and other serious incidents involving individuals served in DHS facility and community settings. At the end of the investigation, guardians receive a detailed findings letter.
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