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KIDS COUNT ON YOU!. Arnold Elementary 2012-13 Protocols For Identifying and Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Children in Crisis. REPORTING SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE (2012-13).
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KIDS COUNT ON YOU! Arnold Elementary 2012-13 Protocols For Identifying and Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Children in Crisis
REPORTING SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE (2012-13) Every employee of the CCBOE is a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse. Any CCBOE employee who has reason to suspect a student has been abused is required to report his/her suspicions immediately to the designated school personnel. It’s the law! There are professional and legal consequences for a delay in reporting or a failure to report suspected child abuse.
As a general rule of thumb: Err on the side of caution and notify Ms. Crumbley immediately if you’re unsure if the student’s allegation or injury constitute abuse or neglect. Ms. Crumbley will talk with the student and might need to call DFACS In-Take to determine if this student’s situation is appropriate for “reporting”.
WHEN AND TO WHOM DO ALL STAFF MEMBERS REPORT SUSPECTED ABUSE? Report the suspected abuse the moment it comes to your attention. Roxanne Crumbley is Arnold Elementary’s contact person for suspected child abuse. Myron Allen will assist you if Ms. Crumbley is unavailable. If you can’t locate either of them, ask Mrs. Wiggins if she will locate one of them. If both are out of the building all day, call our school’s social worker, Tamera Ponder(678-479-0100; 770-652-4771)to report the allegations. If you receive Ms. Ponder’s voice mail, leave a message that it’s urgent that your call be returned immediately; leave your full name and the JWA phone number. If Ms. Ponder doesn’t return your call by 2:45 that afternoon, then at 2:45 that afternoonthe “witnessing” staff member must call the DFACS In-Take Line (770-473-2166)to make a direct referral; leave a message with the DFACS In-Take Line to call you back if you receive their recorded message in lieu of a “live” person. DO NOT LEAVE SCHOOL FOR THE DAY WITHOUT SHARING YOUR CONCERNS WITH THE APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL!
TO SUMMARIZE THE CHAIN OF REPORTING. . . . Roxanne Crumbley (Counselor) Report immediately! Myron Allen (Principal) If Crumbley is unavailable Tamera Ponder (School Social Worker) If Crumbley & Allen are out of the building all day Dr. Maureen Egbuna (Sub for Ponder) Call 678-409-0098 & also email her NEW POLICY: “Witnessing” staff member calls DFACS at 2:45 that day if SSW does not return your call; give pc of your DFACS report to Roxanne! DO NOT LEAVE SCHOOL FOR THE DAY WITHOUT REPORTING YOUR CONCERNS TO THE APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL!
ASK DELORES WIGGINS OR SHARON WARD IN THE OFFICEFOR THESE PHONE NUMBERS! • Additional phone numbers you MUST CALL if the School Social Worker (Tamera Ponder or Maureen Egbuna) does not return your phone call by 2:45 p.m. AND Clayton County DFACS In-Take Line does not return your call: • Georgia’s Child Protective Services office at (404) 657-3400 • Between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m, Monday through Friday and on weekends, holidays, and furlough days, you can call 1-855-GA CHILD (1-855-422-4453). This number is staffed 24 hours a day. • When unable to reach DFACS at any number, you must make a report to the local law enforcement or district attorney in the county in which the child lives. If the child is in immediate danger, call 911. Follow-up with your local DFCS as soon as possible to make an official report to their office. • If you suspect a child is a victim of commercial sexual exploitation (human sex trafficking), please contact the Georgia Care Connection Office at 404-602-0068 and make a report to Clayton County DFACS.
So, which aspect of mandated “reporting” is new beginning on August 13, 2012 (first day of the 2012-13 school year)?
. . . .You are correct! At 2:45 on the afternoon the allegations come to the staff member’s attention, the “WITNESSING” STAFF MEMBER calls and reports the allegations to the DFACS In-Take Line IF the principal & counselor are still unavailable for consultation, and the School Social Worker has not returned your call!
OTHER PROTOCOLS FOR REPORTING CHILD ABUSE Write down your dated observations and the child’s exact words. Exact words have powerful forensic meaning to the investigators. Keep your documentation in a secure place because you will need these notes to testify in court.
OTHER PROTOCOLS FOR REPORTING CHILD ABUSE Avoid excessive questioning of the child about the injury(ies) or allegations. Do not talk to the child about the suspected abuse after you refer it to Ms. Crumbley. Ongoing conversation might possibly “lead” the child to erroneous memories.
OTHER PROTOCOLS FOR REPORTING CHILD ABUSE Refer your concerns to Ms. Crumbley as early in the day as possible to allow her sufficient time to consult with DFACS prior to 2:45.
OTHER PROTOCOLS FOR REPORTING CHILD ABUSE Avoid sharing your concerns about the suspected abuse with Ms. Crumbley as she’s walking down the hall or eating lunch. Talking to her privately in the counselor’s office is the best practice. Alternatively, email Ms. Crumbley that you need to confer ASAP; however, observe strict confidentiality by omitting the child’s/family’s name in your email.
WHAAAAT? I DISAGREE! THIS SHOULD BE REPORTED TO DFACS! Any staff member who believes a DFACS referral needs to be made—subsequent to the administration’s decision not to make a DFACS report—should make a direct referral to DFACS by calling the DFACS In-Take Line at 770-473-2166. In this case, you do not need administrative knowledge or approval before calling. Prior to calling DFACS, fill out the DFACS Referral Form [see next slide & your email InBox for printable copy] and file it with your personal records for future reference. Information requested on this form can be found inside the child’s permanent record and/or on the office Rolodex card. Writing on the referral form the date/time you called DFACS and to whom you spoke works in your favor if DFACS states at a later date they have no record of your referral.
OTHER PROTOCOLS FOR REPORTING CHILD ABUSE Confidentiality of the reporter is guaranteed unless the reporter is subpoenaed to testify in court. The alleged abuser may try to trick you into revealing what you know about the allegations so he/she can “coach” the child or decide how to “explain away” the allegations to DFACS. Do NOT discuss any aspect of the allegations with the child’s parent(s) or alleged perpetrator. Politely inform the parent that Ms. Crumbley or Mr. Allen are available for consultation. Call the office if the parent refuses to leave your classroom.
WHAT TO DO WHEN A CHILD DISCLOSES POSSIBLE ABUSE • Your role is to: • Listen and reassure the child. • Avoid asking excessive probing questions. • Document in writing the allegations
LISTENING BETWEEN THE LINES • Indirect Hints • “My brother wouldn’t let me sleep last night.” • “Mr. Jones wears funny underwear.” • “My babysitter keeps bothering me.” • “I don’t like it when my mother leaves me alone with my uncle.” • Explanation: • A child may talk in these terms because he or she hasn’t learned more specific vocabulary, feels ashamed or embarrassed, has promised not to tell, or for a combination of these reasons.
TESTING THE WATERS • Disguised Disclosure • “I know someone who is being touched in a bad way.” • “What would happen if a girl told her mother a grown-up touched her privates, but her mother did not believe her?” • Explanation: • The child may be talking about someone he or she knows, but could also be talking about himself/herself. Encourage the child to tell you more about the “other” child. Then ask the student whether something like what is being said has ever happened to him or her.
THERE ARE STRINGS ATTACHED • Disclosures With Strings Attached • “I have a problem but if I tell you about it, you have to promise not to tell.” • Explanation: • Many children believe something very negative will happen if they break the secret of abuse. The child may have been threatened by the alleged offender to ensure his/her silence. Let the child know that there are some secrets that you just can’t keep because your job is to protect the child and keep him/her safe. Let the child know you will keep it as confidential as possible but that you are required [by the CCBOE policy and state law] to tell the principal or counselor so they can help keep you safe, too.
HOW LONG CAN I STAY AT HOME WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION? Children 8 years old or younger can NEVER be left alone! Children between 9 and 12 years old may be left alone for up to 2 hours, based on their level of maturity. Children 13 years or older may perform the role of babysitter for up to 12 hours, depending upon their level of maturity.
IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A STUDENT TO TAKE HIS/HER FEELINGS OUT ON SELF OR OTHERS? . . . YES, IT IS!
RESPONDING TO A STUDENT IN CRISIS What is he thinking? What is he feeling? Does the student pose a danger to himself and/or others?
Many students who think about or attempt suicide don’t really want to die. So, then, what is this behavior about?
It’s the student’s way of expressing his/her feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. It’s a cry for help from adults when the child has exhausted his/her coping skills!
IDENTIFYING A CHILD IN CRISIS
You may be the only adult in which the student feels comfortable confiding. A student may reveal his/her ideations to you through any combination of written and/or oral communications. RECOGNIZING & REPORTING the symptoms of a student in crisis are vital to timely intervention!
Recognizing behavioral warning signs is the first step of keeping a child in crisis safe: • Statements about suicide • Saying, “Things would be better if I’m no longer around.” • The student talks or writes about his/her own death, or makes other references to dying or suicide (this causes your “uh-oh feeling” to go off) • Bragging or talking about intentionally hurting people or animals
A CHILD IN CRISIS WARNING SIGNS TO LOOK FOR. . . • Drawing expressive, detailed pictures of oneself dying or oneself violently killing or hurting other people • Expressions of hopelessness • Rage, uncontrolled anger • Changes in personality • Engaging in risky behaviors, seemingly without considering the consequences • Giving away treasured possessions • Becoming disinterested in things that used to be important or fun • A drastic change in grades, attitude toward school, or work ethic • Be on the lookout for one or more of these indicators • that your student could be a “ticking time bomb”!
Mandated reporters are also required to report immediately to the counselor any indication that a child poses a danger to oneself or others. Notify Ms. Crumbley immediately if you notice any of the behavioral warning signs of a child in crisis. Inform Mr. Allen if Ms. Crumbley is unavailable. Crisis Intervention Protocols will begin--notify the administration, student’s parent(s), school psychologist, etc. Also notify Mr. Allen immediately if the student becomes violent in the classroom toward self or others. Children expressing intent to harm self or others should not be allowed to leave the classroom unattended for any reason, attend Campus Kids, or ride the school bus home until you have been informed that resolution or intervention is in place.
Ms. Crumbley is always available to address any concerns or questions you may have about child abuse/child neglect or a child in crisis!
THIS POWER POINT IS STORED ON THE SCHOOL’S P-DRIVE FOR QUICK REFERENCE BY ALL STAFF MEMBERS AND PARENT VOLUNTEERS
