INTRODUCTION
All clinicians who care for children are likely to interact with Child Protective Services (CPS). In 2024, CPS received an estimated 4 365 000 referrals alleging child abuse and neglect, which pertained to approximately 7 693 000 children. Of these children, approximately 2 990 000 (68%) received an investigation or an alternative response (others are screened out), and 532 228 (7%) were confirmed by CPS agencies to be victims of maltreatment or neglect.1 Clinicians who care for children are frequently faced with a decision about whether to make a CPS report, what to share with CPS investigators if they do, and how to interact with CPS-involved families.2,3 Even though it is commonplace for families to be reported to CPS, the experience is often an emotionally charged and stressful one for both the families themselves and the clinicians who make the reports.4 Pediatric clinicians are uniquely…