Child and Family Well-Being

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The County of San Diego (County) has developed the Child and Family Well-Being (CFWB) Department to fundamentally shift how children, youth, families, and communities are supported. We want to prevent children and youth from entering the child welfare system and create a partnership with families, leveraging their experience, to hold them as the experts in keeping their children safe.

What is the Child and Family Well-Being Department?

The CFWB Department is the County's new approach to empowering children, youth, and families to have the support, connections, and resources to be healthy and remain together (without system involvement).

The new department integrates the First 5 Commission of San Diego, Child Welfare Services, childcare services, and other critical resources to partner with children, youth, and families.

What is the goal of the CFWB Department?

The goal of the Department is to focus on equity, prevention, and supporting families before foster care becomes a necessary intervention for keeping children safe.

What we hope to achieve:

  • Keep families together.

  • Hold the family’s voice as the expert in how to best keep their children safe.

  • Provide family strengthening and prevention services to families in a more holistic, equitable, and integrated way.

  • Reduce unnecessary child protective actions that have historically harmed and separated families.

Your Participation

Community and stakeholder feedback has been vital to the development of the CFWB Department, and we want that to continue.

How you can participate in the ongoing process of establishing the Department:

  • Review the information on this site
  • Share this information with others
  • Ask questions
  • Request a presentation for your group or organization (see form below)
  • Provide feedback through the tools provided below

Thank you for being here, we look forward to hearing from you!



The County of San Diego (County) has developed the Child and Family Well-Being (CFWB) Department to fundamentally shift how children, youth, families, and communities are supported. We want to prevent children and youth from entering the child welfare system and create a partnership with families, leveraging their experience, to hold them as the experts in keeping their children safe.

What is the Child and Family Well-Being Department?

The CFWB Department is the County's new approach to empowering children, youth, and families to have the support, connections, and resources to be healthy and remain together (without system involvement).

The new department integrates the First 5 Commission of San Diego, Child Welfare Services, childcare services, and other critical resources to partner with children, youth, and families.

What is the goal of the CFWB Department?

The goal of the Department is to focus on equity, prevention, and supporting families before foster care becomes a necessary intervention for keeping children safe.

What we hope to achieve:

  • Keep families together.

  • Hold the family’s voice as the expert in how to best keep their children safe.

  • Provide family strengthening and prevention services to families in a more holistic, equitable, and integrated way.

  • Reduce unnecessary child protective actions that have historically harmed and separated families.

Your Participation

Community and stakeholder feedback has been vital to the development of the CFWB Department, and we want that to continue.

How you can participate in the ongoing process of establishing the Department:

  • Review the information on this site
  • Share this information with others
  • Ask questions
  • Request a presentation for your group or organization (see form below)
  • Provide feedback through the tools provided below

Thank you for being here, we look forward to hearing from you!

Ask a Question

Have questions about our efforts to create the CFWB Department? Ask us! We'll respond as soon as possible. 

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  • Share Hello, In light of recent administration changes and impact on undocumented families in San Diego, I am wondering if when mandated reporters are making calls regarding abuse to your hotline, does CFWB need to know documentation status at all? If there any confidentiality around a child or caregiver's documentation status in the US? What is CFWB's procedure when working with undocumented people? We are mandated to report abuse as always, but these changes have increased family fears surrounding calls being made if they are at risk for deportation, and I am hoping to clarify some information about how CFWB navigates this. Thank you! on Facebook Share Hello, In light of recent administration changes and impact on undocumented families in San Diego, I am wondering if when mandated reporters are making calls regarding abuse to your hotline, does CFWB need to know documentation status at all? If there any confidentiality around a child or caregiver's documentation status in the US? What is CFWB's procedure when working with undocumented people? We are mandated to report abuse as always, but these changes have increased family fears surrounding calls being made if they are at risk for deportation, and I am hoping to clarify some information about how CFWB navigates this. Thank you! on Twitter Share Hello, In light of recent administration changes and impact on undocumented families in San Diego, I am wondering if when mandated reporters are making calls regarding abuse to your hotline, does CFWB need to know documentation status at all? If there any confidentiality around a child or caregiver's documentation status in the US? What is CFWB's procedure when working with undocumented people? We are mandated to report abuse as always, but these changes have increased family fears surrounding calls being made if they are at risk for deportation, and I am hoping to clarify some information about how CFWB navigates this. Thank you! on Linkedin Email Hello, In light of recent administration changes and impact on undocumented families in San Diego, I am wondering if when mandated reporters are making calls regarding abuse to your hotline, does CFWB need to know documentation status at all? If there any confidentiality around a child or caregiver's documentation status in the US? What is CFWB's procedure when working with undocumented people? We are mandated to report abuse as always, but these changes have increased family fears surrounding calls being made if they are at risk for deportation, and I am hoping to clarify some information about how CFWB navigates this. Thank you! link

    Hello, In light of recent administration changes and impact on undocumented families in San Diego, I am wondering if when mandated reporters are making calls regarding abuse to your hotline, does CFWB need to know documentation status at all? If there any confidentiality around a child or caregiver's documentation status in the US? What is CFWB's procedure when working with undocumented people? We are mandated to report abuse as always, but these changes have increased family fears surrounding calls being made if they are at risk for deportation, and I am hoping to clarify some information about how CFWB navigates this. Thank you!

    PD asked 24 days ago

    We recognize the recent immigration and deportation actions have caused fear and uncertainty in our community. It is important, now more than ever, to reaffirm CFWB's commitment and responsibility to providing high-quality, equitable, and compassionate care to all, regardless of their immigration status and inclusive of all personal backgrounds and identities.

    On January 12, 2021 (8), the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis, acknowledging that systemic racism perpetuates health inequities throughout the region and correlates to disproportionate impacts on the quality of life of county residents. In July of 2023, CFWB made a commitment to transform into an anti-racist department committed to equity. Per County of San Diego Board of Supervisors Policy L-2: Cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, “All San Diego County residents, whether they are U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, undocumented residents, refugees, asylum seekers, or residents with any other immigration status, are valued and integral members of our social, cultural, and economic fabric.” This commitment is protected by the California Values Act (Senate Bill 54) which provides specific guidance.  

    In alignment with the California Values Act, please see the County of San Diego Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion. CFWB also maintains departmental policies to support staff and protect the Confidentiality and rights of all families, including Working with Families Involved in Immigration and Customs Enforcement Proceedings and International Child Welfare - Undocumented Children.

  • Share Hi again! I'm trying to ask a follow up question to my question below about CWS hotline wait times but can't figure out how. The Online Mandated Reporter application looks great for non-urgent issues! Since understandably there is still a need to call the hotline for urgent issues, are there any plans to further streamline the process for mandated reporters for those situations? If there were any optional line for just mandated reporters to call with those issues deemed "urgent", it seems that might help us be able to connect more quickly. on Facebook Share Hi again! I'm trying to ask a follow up question to my question below about CWS hotline wait times but can't figure out how. The Online Mandated Reporter application looks great for non-urgent issues! Since understandably there is still a need to call the hotline for urgent issues, are there any plans to further streamline the process for mandated reporters for those situations? If there were any optional line for just mandated reporters to call with those issues deemed "urgent", it seems that might help us be able to connect more quickly. on Twitter Share Hi again! I'm trying to ask a follow up question to my question below about CWS hotline wait times but can't figure out how. The Online Mandated Reporter application looks great for non-urgent issues! Since understandably there is still a need to call the hotline for urgent issues, are there any plans to further streamline the process for mandated reporters for those situations? If there were any optional line for just mandated reporters to call with those issues deemed "urgent", it seems that might help us be able to connect more quickly. on Linkedin Email Hi again! I'm trying to ask a follow up question to my question below about CWS hotline wait times but can't figure out how. The Online Mandated Reporter application looks great for non-urgent issues! Since understandably there is still a need to call the hotline for urgent issues, are there any plans to further streamline the process for mandated reporters for those situations? If there were any optional line for just mandated reporters to call with those issues deemed "urgent", it seems that might help us be able to connect more quickly. link

    Hi again! I'm trying to ask a follow up question to my question below about CWS hotline wait times but can't figure out how. The Online Mandated Reporter application looks great for non-urgent issues! Since understandably there is still a need to call the hotline for urgent issues, are there any plans to further streamline the process for mandated reporters for those situations? If there were any optional line for just mandated reporters to call with those issues deemed "urgent", it seems that might help us be able to connect more quickly.

    atheis asked 15 days ago

    Thank you for providing your concerns regarding hotline wait times when making an urgent report. The hotline receives a lot of calls and CFWB is monitoring regularly to find ways to reduce wait times to ensure mandated reporters are not waiting for extended periods of time. If you are trying to make a report and it is deemed an emergency situation, please ensure that you’re following up with law enforcement for a more immediate response. Continue to utilize the CFWB Mandated Reporter Application | County of San Diego for non-urgent reports as this helps decrease hotline calls. Thank you again for your patience and continued support in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the children we serve.

  • Share Hello, are there any plans to reduce the wait times for mandated reporters calling the child abuse hotline? We have tremendous difficulty getting a hold of someone, and the call back feature is often times unusable as we may receive a call back when we're in another appointment. on Facebook Share Hello, are there any plans to reduce the wait times for mandated reporters calling the child abuse hotline? We have tremendous difficulty getting a hold of someone, and the call back feature is often times unusable as we may receive a call back when we're in another appointment. on Twitter Share Hello, are there any plans to reduce the wait times for mandated reporters calling the child abuse hotline? We have tremendous difficulty getting a hold of someone, and the call back feature is often times unusable as we may receive a call back when we're in another appointment. on Linkedin Email Hello, are there any plans to reduce the wait times for mandated reporters calling the child abuse hotline? We have tremendous difficulty getting a hold of someone, and the call back feature is often times unusable as we may receive a call back when we're in another appointment. link

    Hello, are there any plans to reduce the wait times for mandated reporters calling the child abuse hotline? We have tremendous difficulty getting a hold of someone, and the call back feature is often times unusable as we may receive a call back when we're in another appointment.

    Alyssa Theis asked 15 days ago

    Thank you for reaching out to us. Our Online Mandated Reporter application is designed to streamline the process for mandated reporters. More information on this is available at Child Abuse Hotline, including a training video and application. 

  • Share When is this department going to be up and running? Currently I’m aware of a situation where the below statement is desperately needed to be addressed. Reduce unnecessary child protective actions that have historically harmed and separated families. on Facebook Share When is this department going to be up and running? Currently I’m aware of a situation where the below statement is desperately needed to be addressed. Reduce unnecessary child protective actions that have historically harmed and separated families. on Twitter Share When is this department going to be up and running? Currently I’m aware of a situation where the below statement is desperately needed to be addressed. Reduce unnecessary child protective actions that have historically harmed and separated families. on Linkedin Email When is this department going to be up and running? Currently I’m aware of a situation where the below statement is desperately needed to be addressed. Reduce unnecessary child protective actions that have historically harmed and separated families. link

    When is this department going to be up and running? Currently I’m aware of a situation where the below statement is desperately needed to be addressed. Reduce unnecessary child protective actions that have historically harmed and separated families.

    Gramps asked 3 months ago

    Thank you for reaching out to us. Child and Family Well-Being was launched in July 2023. If you have a concern about a current or former case with CFWB, please contact our Office of the Ombudsman, and they can help address your concerns. They can be reached at (619) 338-2098 or CWS.OOO.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov.

  • Share What is the time frame that constitutes making a historical report via online portal (asking in general)? on Facebook Share What is the time frame that constitutes making a historical report via online portal (asking in general)? on Twitter Share What is the time frame that constitutes making a historical report via online portal (asking in general)? on Linkedin Email What is the time frame that constitutes making a historical report via online portal (asking in general)? link

    What is the time frame that constitutes making a historical report via online portal (asking in general)?

    Alexandra Orput Souhala asked 4 months ago

    Thank you for reaching out to us. Reports made through the Mandated Reporter Application (MRA) are processed the same day in the order they are received.

  • Share Does CPS need to be notified by mandated reporter in case of child abuse if CFWB has already been made aware of abuse? on Facebook Share Does CPS need to be notified by mandated reporter in case of child abuse if CFWB has already been made aware of abuse? on Twitter Share Does CPS need to be notified by mandated reporter in case of child abuse if CFWB has already been made aware of abuse? on Linkedin Email Does CPS need to be notified by mandated reporter in case of child abuse if CFWB has already been made aware of abuse? link

    Does CPS need to be notified by mandated reporter in case of child abuse if CFWB has already been made aware of abuse?

    Terri Scandlyn asked 8 months ago

    Thank you for reaching out to us. If there is an active case and new concerns arise, please contact the Child Abuse Hotline at (800) 344-6000 to make a new report.

Page last updated: 18 Dec 2024, 10:15 AM