Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect 2011-2012 Parkway School District Revised 6/20/2011 Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 1
Parkway s Mission To ensure all students are capable, curious and confident learners who understand and respond to the challenges of an ever-changing world. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 2
By the end of this presentation you will be able to: Describe abuse and neglect and provide examples Describe Mandated Reporter expectations Follow the procedures for reporting abuse Describe expectations for staff student interactions. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 3
Abuse is defined as: Missouri Child Abuse Law Section 210.110 RSMo any physical injury, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse inflicted on a child, other than by accidental means, by those responsible for the child s care, custody and control Missouri Law, Chapter 210.110 RSMo Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 4
Missouri Child Abuse Law Section 210.110 RSMo except that discipline including spanking, administered in a reasonable manner, shall not be construed to be abuse; 210.110 RSMo Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 5
Those Responsible for the Care, Custody and Control of the Child Includes but not limited to the parents or guardian of a child, other members of the child s household, or those exercising supervision over a child for any part of a twenty-four hour day. 210.110 RSMo Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 6
Examples of those who may have Care, Custody and Control Administrator Aunt/Uncle Babysitter Bus Driver Coach Paraprofessional Counselor / Social Worker Nurse Foster parent Grandparent Parent Sibling Teacher Teacher Assistant Student Teacher Substitute Teacher Support Staff Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 7
Possible Signs of Physical Abuse including but not limited to: Hitting Unexplained bruises or marks Choking Pinching Pulling hair Pushing Sexual misconduct Slapping Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 8
Missouri Child Abuse Law Section 210.110 RSMo Neglect is defined as: failure to provide, by those responsible for the care, custody, and control of the child, the proper or necessary support, education as required by law, nutrition or medical, surgical, or any other care necessary for the child s well-being; 210.110 RSMO Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 9
Possible Signs of Neglect, including but not limited to: Appears constantly hungry Exhibits extreme and ongoing poor hygiene Often dresses inappropriately for weather conditions Living in conditions that could pose possible health or safety risks to a child Constant lack of supervision Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 10
Educational Neglect Missouri has a compulsory attendance law that states: Any parent, guardian or other person who enrolls a child between the ages of five and seven years in a public school program of academic instruction shall cause such child to attend the academic program on a regular basis. all children between the ages of seven and sixteen that are physically able must be in regular school attendance. 167.031 RSMo Failure to comply with this law may be considered by Missouri Children s Division as Educational Neglect. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 11
Missouri Child Abuse Law Section 210.166 RSMo Medical Neglect is defined as: any child under eighteen years of age is suffering from the denial or deprivation, by those responsible for the care, custody and control of the child, of medical or surgical treatment or intervention which is necessary to remedy or ameliorate a medical condition which is life-threatening or causes injury. 210.166 RSMo Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 12
Emotional Abuse: Children s Division Definition Emotional abuse is: an active, patterned, non-nurturing behavior by anyone responsible for the care, custody or control of the child that negatively affects or disables a child emotionally, physically, psychologically, intellectually, socially, and/or developmentally. Missouri Division of Social Services, Children s Division Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 13
Possible Signs of Emotional Abuse Including, but not limited to: Intimidating a student Daring a child to cross them Offensive comments related to the child s culture Yelling Bullying Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 14
Some behaviors may not meet criteria for abuse or neglect by Children s Division yet are not acceptable behaviors at Parkway and should be documented and reported to the building administrator or the staff member s supervisor Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 15
Example of behaviors that should be reported to the Principal or Supervisor Derogatory comments to or about a student Forcing a child to remain sitting, standing or motionless for long periods of time Humiliating and/or harassing comments More force than necessary is used Threatening Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 16
What Should You Do If You re Having Problems With a Student? Seek assistance from: Administrator Counselor School Social Worker School Nurse Special Education Staff District-level Support Staff School Resource Officer (SRO) Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 17
How can you develop appropriate interventions and supports? Participate in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Develop a positive support and intervention plan Learn strategies to de-escalate a student. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 18
INAPPROPRIATE INTERVENTIONS AND TREATMENT (DO NOT USE) Physical contact with students unless necessary for their care or safety Isolation Extended time-out Time-out without supervision Withholding lunch, water, or bathroom break Relying solely on punishment or negative reinforcement Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 19
As a Parkway Employee, why is this important to me? Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 20
Parkway Board of Education Policy JLF.BP and Guidelines JLF.G all school personnel are mandated reporters under the law Complete Parkway Policy is available on-line via Inside Parkway Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 21
Missouri Child Abuse Law Section 210.110 RSMo Who is a Mandated Reporter? Any intern, nurse, psychologist, mental health professional, social worker...teacher, principal or other school official or other person with responsibility for the care of children has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or may be subjected to abuse or neglect or observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect. 210.110 RSMo Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 22
Failure to report is a Class A misdemeanor for a person who is required under law to report. Filing a false report is also a Class A misdemeanor. RSMo 210.165 Guidelines for Child Abuse & Neglect Reports Missouri Division of Social Services, Children s Division Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 23
What should I do if I suspect Abuse/Neglect? 1. Immediately notify the Building Principal and/or Supervisor. 2. Principal/designee immediately contacts area School Social Worker. Parkway School District Abuse/Neglect Guidelines Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 24
What should I do if I suspect Abuse/Neglect? 3. In the case of suspected physical abuse, the student should be seen by the school nurse who can assess and document injuries. 4. School Social Worker/designee gathers information from involved staff to assess the situation. Parkway School District Abuse/Neglect Guidelines Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 25
What should I do if I suspect Abuse/Neglect? Do Not Over-interview! Only one staff member should interview the student unless the School Social Worker/designee indicates a need for more information Parkway School District Abuse/Neglect Guidelines Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 26
What should I do if I suspect Abuse/Neglect? 6. If information supports a suspicion of possible abuse/neglect, School Social Worker/designee makes the hotline call. Parkway School District Abuse/Neglect Guidelines The principal or designee shall contact the area social worker, who, after conferring with necessary school personnel, shall immediately make an oral report to the Missouri Children s Division. Parkway Board of Education Guidelines JLF.G Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 27
What should I do if I suspect Abuse/Neglect? 7. If Children s Division (CD) determines a need for protective custody, the CD worker instructs the School Social Worker/designee to involve the School Resource Officer for his/her assistance. Parkway School District Abuse/Neglect Guidelines Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 28
After the phone call has been made to Children s Division: 8. Children s Division may or may not consult with the School Social Worker/designee regarding concerns and response plan 9. Children s Division may or may not come to the school depending on the seriousness of concerns and/or the time of day Parkway School District Abuse/Neglect Guidelines Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 29
After the phone call has been made to Children s Division: During the investigation if Children s Division comes to the school, they have the right to see the child as well as request any school record information. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 30
What should I do if I suspect Abuse/Neglect? 10. The School Social Worker will complete a report and notify the Director of Pupil Personnel & Diversity Parkway School District Abuse/Neglect Guidelines Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 31
What should I do if I suspect Abuse/Neglect? 11. When School Social Workers are not on duty; Principals, Counselors, School Social Workers, Teachers, Nurses, Teacher s Assistants, Student Teachers, Substitute Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Coaches, Bus Drivers, and Support Staff are all MANDATED reporters and MUST make a hotline call. Parkway School District Abuse/Neglect Guidelines Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 32
Should we notify the parents? School personnel shall not notify the child s parents that a Hotline report has been made. Parkway School District Abuse/Neglect Guidelines Children s Division reports that notifying parents can jeopardize their investigation. Missouri Children s Division Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 33
What if you see concerns in the school setting by a STAFF MEMBER? If you question the actions of any staff member (including your supervisor or coworkers) and think abuse, neglect, or mistreatment has occurred, you must immediately report your concerns and observations to the school principal or your supervisor. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 34
Administrative Procedures if the allegation involves a STAFF MEMBER: The student s parent/guardian should be contacted directly and informed of the allegation as soon as possible. The Assistant Superintendent for elementary/early childhood or secondary schools shall be notified as soon as possible and take appropriate and necessary administrative action. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 35
Administrative Procedures if the allegation involves a PARKWAY EMPLOYEE: The Parkway Assistant Superintendent is responsible for immediately notifying the Parkway Director of Human Resources and, when appropriate, other district-level administrators and conducting any needed investigations. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 36
Administrative Procedures if the allegation involves an SSD EMPLOYEE: If the staff member suspected of abuse or mistreatment is an SSD staff member, the SSD area coordinator assigned to the school and the Parkway Director of Special Services ALSO shall be notified. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 37
Administrative Procedures if the allegation involves an SSD EMPLOYEE: The SSD area coordinator is responsible for notifying the SSD Director of Special Education. The SSD Director is responsible for notifying the SSD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and, when appropriate, other districtlevel administrators and conducting any needed investigations. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 38
Students With Disabilities If mistreatment/abuse of a student with a disability by a staff member is suspected, the Parkway Director of Special Services also shall be notified. If the student receives special education services, the SSD area coordinator assigned to the school also shall be notified. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 39
Parkway and SSD Staff Obligations The SSD policy, procedures, and training for responding to suspected abuse/neglect are different from Parkway s. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 40
Parkway and SSD Staff Obligations It is important that all Parkway and SSD staff know there will be instances when SSD staff are required to and will make a hotline call when Parkway staff determines such a call is not warranted. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 41
SSD Staff Obligations When SSD staff suspect abuse/neglect or mistreatment, they shall inform both the SSD area coordinator and the Parkway school principal and consult with other staff, including the school nurse. Whenever an SSD staff member makes a hotline call regarding a Parkway student, the SSD staff member and/or the SSD area coordinator shall notify the Parkway school principal of this action immediately. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 42
What if you aren t sure it may be possible abuse or neglect? When in doubt Report to the Principal or Supervisor Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 43
Why is this especially relevant to Parkway personnel? Those working with students must have a clear understanding of appropriate instructional supports and behavioral interventions which are not abusive or neglectful. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 44
If you fail to follow Parkway s Abuse/Neglect Guidelines You run the risk of losing: Your job Your reputation Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 45
Failure to report is a Class A misdemeanor for a person who is required under law to report. Filing a false report is also a Class A misdemeanor. RSMo 210.165 Guidelines for Child Abuse & Neglect Reports Missouri Division of Social Services, Children s Division Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 46
Mandated Reporter Protections Any person, official, or institutions complying with the provisions of sections 210.110 to 210.165 in the making of a report, the taking of color photographs shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that otherwise might result by reason of such actions. 210.135RSMo Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 47
Be alert Listen to children. Listen to parents. Listen to other staff suspicions and/or concerns. Report what you see and hear Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 48
Be alert No matter who it is, as a Parkway employee & mandated reporter -- If you are informed of possible abuse of a student or observe something suspicious, you must report it to your Principal or Supervisor. Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 49
Missouri Children s Division Resources Hotline Number: 1-800-392-3738 TDD 1-800-669-8689 Missouri Department of Social Services http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/rptcan.htm Child Welfare Manual http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/info/cwmanual/index. htm Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 50
Additional Resources Center for Disease Control www.cdc.gov Children s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis www.stlouiscac.org Children s Defense Fund www.childrensdefense.org Missouri Kids First www.missourikidsfirst.com National Resource Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (NRCCAN) www.casanet.org/library/abuse/nrccan.htm Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 51
Concerns or Questions about Reporting? Contact the Director of Pupil Personnel & Diversity, Charlotte Ijei 314-415-5061 cjei@pkwy.k12.mo.us Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 52
Reporting Child Abuse JLF.BP Parkway/SSD Employee Agreement Form (Provide signed copy to Parkway supervisor) I understand that as a school district employee, I am a mandated reporter and understand procedures to report abuse. I understand that violation of Parkway BOE Policy JLF.BP may result in disciplinary action against me, including but not limited to suspension, termination of my employment and civil or criminal liability. Print Name Signature Date Location Abuse Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 53