The Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) is an electronic database that contains a list of people who have a “substantiated” report of child abuse or severe neglect against them, meaning Child Protective Services believes that it is more likely than not that the abuse occurred.

California, like many other states, has a broad net of mandatory reporting laws. While these laws are intended to protect children by casting a wide net, they actually often result in overreporting of families, particularly Black, Indigenous, and low-income families, to the “child welfare system,” also known as the “family policing system,” for circumstances that arise from poverty, rather than neglect. This can leave families most in need of support and resources afraid to ask for it.

Any time you are involved with the “Child Protective Services” (CPS) or the “child welfare” system, it could have big effects on your family that last a long time. But, as a parent, you do have rights. It is important to know what these rights are and use them to protect your family.