Responds to reports of suspected child abuse and neglect, and helps parents get the services and supports they need. Vermont Department for Children and Families Family Services Division (DCF/FSD) is also responsible for placing children in temporary out-of-home care when necessary to keep them safe, working with parents and relatives toward children's safe return home, and finding permanent homes for children who can't return home safely. The program provides a hotline number for reporting suspected cases of child abuse, neglect, or risk of harm. Social workers who answer the line take reports, conduct investigations, assess families, and make recommendations for services to alleviate family stress and improve parenting skills. The person making the report does not need to prove that the child has been abused. The intake worker will talk with the concerned person about their observations. If there is information to indicate that the child may have been abused or neglected as defined in state law, the referral will be accepted as a report. The supervisor will make the decision as to whether a situation would be considered abuse.