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Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals
with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families

Emergency Contact Information: How to Report Abuse & Neglect

There 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).

Child Abuse Hotline
1-877-NJ ABUSE (1-877-652-2873)


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.


Hospital Complaints

Hospitals, nursing homes, hospice centers, assisted living facilities, and most other acute and long term care facilities in New Jersey are under the jurisdiction of the Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing at the Department of Health.

Use this online form to file a complaint about the care you received at a licensed health care facility in New Jersey or call the Department of Health Complaint Hotline at 1-800-792-9770. The hotline is available 24 hours a day.

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:

  • Age 18 years or older,
  • Residing in the community (in a private residence or unlicensed, non-institutional setting),
  • Due to physical or mental illness, disability or deficiency, lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make, communicate, or carry out decisions concerning his or her well-being, and
  • Is the subject of abuse, neglect or exploitation.


Division of Developmental Disabilities Consumer Protection

Call 1-800-832-9173 (then press 1)

Calls may be made by any person having reasonable cause to believe that an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability has been a victim. This includes instances where the person is 18 or older and in a placement funded by the Department of Children and Families’ Children’s System of Care. Detailed information about the process, including the steps taken by the Division upon receiving a report, are outlined in the FAQ on Reporting Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation .


Department of Community Affairs (DCA) - Boarding Homes and Residential Health Care Facilities

Residents of DCA licensed and regulated boarding homes and residential health care facilities can call the DCA complaint line 609-984-1704.


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 18 and older, served in State-licensed facilities and community settings. At the end of the investigation, guardians receive a detailed findings letter.

Northern, Central, and Southern Regions 609-292-2102

Reporting Abuse and Neglect at State Psychiatric Hospitals

1-888-490-8413

Reporting Abuse Within Mental Health Community Settings

DMHAS Toll-Free 1-800-382-6717or dmhas.incidentrept@dhs.nj.gov


Hospital Complaints

Hospitals, nursing homes, hospice centers, assisted living facilities, and most other acute and long term care facilities in New Jersey are under the jurisdiction of the Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing at the Department of Health.

Use this online form to file a complaint about the care you received at a licensed health care facility in New Jersey or call the Department of Health Complaint Hotline at 1-800-792-9770. The hotline is available 24 hours a day.


Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ)

Allegations of abuse and/or neglect can be made to Disability Rights NJ.  Individuals are encouraged to report allegations to the appropriate oversight agency, DRNJ can provide you detailed information on how and where to make your complaints based on the setting or the nature of the allegation. You may also make reports directly to DRNJ, especially if you are concerned about the response to your allegation or if you believe the abuse/neglect is systemic.

1-800-922-7233

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.


Long-Term Care Ombudsman

The New Jersey Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman (NJLTCO) is part of a national resident-focused, person-centered advocacy program. NJLTCO is an independent advocate for older individuals receiving long-term care. Representatives of the Office work with individual residents to help them address challenges they face; in addition, NJLTCO seeks opportunities to bring about change on local, state, and federal levels and by advocating for policy and legislative initiatives and participating in activities that support the Office’s core mission to advance the rights, the dignity and the self determination of elderly individuals living in long-term care.

1-877-582-6995


Hospital Complaints

Hospitals, nursing homes, hospice centers, assisted living facilities, and most other acute and long term care facilities in New Jersey are under the jurisdiction of the Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing at the Department of Health.

Use this online form to file a complaint about the care received at a licensed health care facility in New Jersey or call the Department of Health Complaint Hotline at 1-800-792-9770. The hotline is available 24 hours a day.


Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ)

Allegations of abuse and/or neglect can be made to Disability Rights NJ.  Individuals are encouraged to report allegations to the appropriate oversight agency, DRNJ can provide you detailed information on how and where to make your complaints based on the setting or the nature of the allegation. You may also make reports directly to DRNJ, especially if you are concerned about the response to your allegation or if you believe the abuse/neglect is systemic.

1-800-922-7233


Last Updated: Friday, 01/05/24