Evaluation of the DoD’s and Military Departments’ Policies Regarding Responses to Allegations of Abuse at Child Development Centers (Report No. DODIG‑2025‑094)

Excerpt:  “The DoD has policies for CDPs, including CDCs, that address five of the six requirements in 10 U.S.C. § 1794, ‘Child Abuse Prevention and Safety at Facilities.’ However, the DoD policies do not require the Military Departments to have uniform processes for notifying parents of child abuse allegations at CDCs, as required by law. During the evaluation, the DoD issued a memorandum to require notification to parents or legal guardians of children allegedly abused or neglected no later than 24 hours after the child and youth program, including the CDC, is made aware of the allegation. However, the memorandum does not address how CDC staff should communicate and follow up with parents or what specific information should be shared. As a result, parents or legal guardians may not be aware of the specifics of the alleged abuse or neglect of their child, thereby limiting the potential actions they can take to address the allegation.”