Cants 5 Form – Fill Out and Use This PDF

Cants 5 Form PDF Details

The CANTS 5 form is the official Written Confirmation of Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect Report, used by mandated reporters in Illinois to document child abuse or neglect after making an initial oral report to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (325 ILCS 5 et seq.), mandated reporters must submit this written confirmation within 48 hours of their telephone report to the DCFS Child Abuse Hotline.

Who Must File the CANTS 5 Form

Illinois law designates specific professionals as mandated reporters who are legally required to report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect. These individuals include teachers, school administrators, physicians, nurses, social workers, law enforcement officers, child care workers, and mental health professionals. Once a mandated reporter contacts the DCFS Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE, they must follow up with a completed CANTS 5 form submitted to their local DCFS office within 48 hours.

Information Required on the CANTS 5 Form

The CANTS 5 form collects detailed information to support a thorough child protection investigation. Reporters must provide the child's name, birth date, and address along with a clear description of observed injuries or signs of neglect. The form also requires the approximate date and circumstances of the suspected abuse, names and addresses of parents or guardians, any prior evidence of maltreatment, and whether the reporter has notified or plans to notify the child's family. The reporter's professional title, organization, and contact information are required as well.

Submitting the CANTS 5 Form

After filling out the CANTS 5 form, submit it to the appropriate Illinois DCFS office by mail or in person within 48 hours of the oral report. Keep a copy for your professional records as required under Illinois law. For related Illinois child welfare documentation, review the DCFS 561-B form and the DCFS CW CPI-2 form, both used in related child welfare proceedings in Illinois.