How to Report a Daycare in Texas
Nobody puts their child into daycare thinking that they will need to look up how to report a daycare in Texas one day. But if you suspect a daycare isn’t meeting the minimum standards for child safety, it’s within your rights — and typically in the best interests of your child(ren) — to report them. Here’s our guide to how to report a daycare in Texas.
How to report a daycare in Texas: A step by step guide
Step 1: Know whether you’re reporting a complaint or reporting abuse
The first step in how to report a daycare in Texas requires you to take a moment to think about the issue that you are trying to report. Maybe you wish to report a complaint about a certain practice (or lack thereof) at a facility, like concern about nutrition or lack of a safe sleeping area. Alternatively, maybe you wish to report child abuse or neglect, such as hitting or verbal abuse. The type of issue you wish to report can play a role in how you report a daycare in Texas.
Keep reading: When can I sue a daycare for neglect?
Step 2: Gather information
Most reporting institutions will ask you to provide the following basic information:
- Your name and contact information
- Your relationship to the child(ren) in question
- The name, age, and contact information of the victim
- The names and contact information of the parents of the victim
- The name and address of the daycare facility as well as the name of any particular individuals involved
- A description of the incident or incidents
Step 3: Know which program may be in charge of your request
Different state programs handle different childcare issues, and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), which helps assign which program investigates reports, may ask you to designate which program you think should handle the issue you’re reporting (especially if there is already a case on file).
For example, the program that handles your issue may be a specific branch of Child Protective Services (CPS) or, as is often the case with daycare reports, the Child Care Licensing program (CCL), which is now part of Texas Health and Human Services (HHS).
If you’re not sure which program is in charge of handling your issue, don’t let that stop you from filing a report. Just answer to the best of your ability. Those who receive your report will make sure that it gets into the right hands.
Step 4: Report the issue to the DFPS or an abuse hotline
The most important step in how to report a daycare in Texas is to actually follow through and file the report.
To file a report regarding a complaint, contact the Office of Customer Relations of the DFPS. You can do this in several ways:
- Telephone: 1-800-720-7777, Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. (If calling outside of regular business hours, leave a message; they will return your call within 1 business day)
- Online Form: The form is available in English and Spanish.
- Printable Form: Fill out and send the DFPS Case Complaint Form via:
- Email: [email protected]
- Fax: 512-339-5992
- Mail: OCR/DFPS, PO Box 149030, MC: Y946, Austin TX 78714-9030
To file a report regarding abuse or neglect, contact the Texas Abuse Hotline:
- Telephone: 1-800-252-5400
- Web: www.txabusehotline.org
How do I know if I have a valid issue to report?
Now that you know how to report a daycare in Texas, maybe you’re wondering whether you should report them. You can find an extensive list of the minimum basic care requirements (and more) for a child care facility in the Texas Administrative Code, particularly Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 746. These requirements cover everything from naptime to personnel to discipline.
For example, simply reporting my child was hurt at daycare without any evidence of it being the daycare’s fault may have you coming up short. Accidents do happen. All of that said, we would encourage you to follow your instincts when it comes to reporting an issue. If you have concerns but can’t find a specific example of your concerns in the rules outlined above, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t report the issue.
In these cases, it’s almost always better to be safe than sorry.
What are my legal options if my child was injured at daycare?
If your child was injured or a victim of daycare abuse, you may have the right to make a personal injury claim against the facility. Injuries or delays in child development resulting from abuse or negligence can have long-lasting and life-altering effects on children; claims help parents get compensation to make up for any medical bills or other types of damages they may incur.
A daycare negligence attorney is a type of Houston personal injury lawyer that has particular experience in handling personal injury cases that involve the abuse or neglect of a child at a daycare facility that has resulted in an injury or, in the worst cases, death.
Legal battles are often taxing and expensive, but an experienced attorney can help mitigate these issues while fighting for your child’s and your family’s best interests.
Contact a daycare injury attorney at Grimes & Fertitta experienced representation
Knowing how to report a daycare in Texas may only be the beginning of your battle. If you meet these parameters for reporting abuse vs. complaint and you believe you have a case against the daycare center for the abuse or neglect of your child, the Grimes & Fertitta personal injury lawyers in the Woodlands, TX and Houston are here to help.
A small, close-knit firm with decades of experience to our name, we help families struggling with daycare negligence seek justice while treating them with the dignity and respect they deserve. With us, you are never treated like just another case number.
To get your case off to the right start, request a consultation via our online form or give us a call at 713-224-7644 today.
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