Anyone may report suspected child maltreatment to local departments of social services or the statewide Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 24 hours per day, seven days a week. The hotline number within Virginia is (800) 552-7096 and (804) 786-8536 outside the state.

The goal of Child Protective Services (CPS) is to identify, assess and provide services to children and families in an effort to protect children, preserve families, whenever possible, and prevent further maltreatment. Child Protective Services is non-punitive in its approach and is directed toward enabling families to provide adequate care for their children.

Local departments of social services are responsible for receiving reports of abuse and neglect; conducting investigations to determine the validity of the CPS reports; and providing services that enhance child safety and prevent further abuse and neglect to families and children.

CPS is a unit within the VDSS Division Family Services. Among the duties of this unit are the development of statewide public awareness and education programs; the administration of state and federal grants to prevent abuse and neglect; and to maintain a statewide database for child abuse and neglect.