Mandated Reporter Refresher Training

Jennifer McIntosh, LICSW

LaVaughn Turner, LICSW

Eastern SHS

February 14, 2013

Why Do We Report?To protect the victim and other

children in the homeTo provide services for families and

children to prevent future abuse or neglect

To promote positive change in familiesIt’s your responsibility and the law…

~First reporting law in DC was enacted in 1973~

What is Your Legal Responsibility?

The individual with knowledge or suspicion of maltreatment is mandated to make the report

The report is to be made immediately◦ Internal office/agency/school procedures

may not significantly delay the report◦When there is potential harm to a child,

contact MPD/CFSA prior to releasing the child

No supervisor or administrator may interfere with your obligation to report

Pointers about Abuse and Neglect

Maltreatment can occur in any family or setting regardless of socio-economic status, religion, education, ethnic background, or other factors

Children react differently to maltreatment

Religious exemptions may apply (immunizations or blood transfusions), but not if the action or inaction is illegal (i.e., coining)

What is Physical Abuse?

Bruises, Abrasions, or LacerationsBurnsBite MarksHead InjuriesFracturesUnexplained Injuries

Discrepancies, blame, inconsistent stories

What is Considered Discipline?It is not against the law to physically

discipline a childDiscipline must be reasonable in manner and

moderate in degree or otherwise does not constitute cruelty

Cruelty includes: burning, biting, cutting, striking with a closed fist, inflicting injury by shaking or kicking, non-accidental injury to a child under 18 months, interfering with a child’s breathing, or threatening a child with a dangerous weapon

Excessive discipline includes physical injury that is bodily harm greater than transient pain or temporary marks

What to Do When it “Might” Be Abuse…

Observe the injury (if applicable) If the child is verbal, ask him/her “What

happened?”◦Do not make assumptions or ask

leading questions (ex. “Why did your mommy beat you like this?”)

Ask yourself if the explanation seems plausible

Ask yourself, regardless of whether or not the injury is plausible, whether there are concerns of neglect (such as concerns about supervision)

Do NOT indicate to the parent/caregiver that there may be a concern of maltreatment

Do NOT release the child to the parent/caregiver if there is serious concern of maltreatment without contacting CFSA or MPD

What is Educational Neglect? D.C. Compulsory School Attendance Law 8-247 School attendance is mandatory for children 5 (on or

before 12/31) to 18 years old Must be enrolled in a public, independent, private,

parochial or home school each year Excused absences – death in immediate family, illness

(doctor’s certificate required after 5 days), religious holiday, medical appointment

Unexcused absences – babysitting, shopping, errands, oversleeping, cutting, job hunting

Cooperative agreement with DCPS:◦ 5 unexcused – school contacts parent◦ 10 unexcused – school reports to CPS◦ 15 unexcused – school to file 565A (legal process)

What is Neglect of Basic Needs?

Inadequate Physical Care, Clothing, Food◦ Are the children frequently dirty in terms of

hygiene or clothing?◦ Are the children frequently without appropriate

clothing?◦ Are the children frequently hungry or do they

appear malnourished?

Medical Neglect◦ Do the children have medical needs that are

not addressed?◦ Do the children receive preventive medical

care?

What to Do When it Might BeNeglect of Basic Needs…

Take into consideration that a lack of financial means is not grounds for neglect

Determine if the neglect of basic needs causes an immediate safety concern for the child

Determine if there is a pattern of concern regarding the child’s basic needs

Discuss the issue with the caregiver to determine if the concern can be resolved and if the parent is responsive

Consider if support from school staff could address the concerns (i.e homeless Liason or School Social Worker)

What is Sexual Abuse?Engaging or attempting to engage in a

sexual act or sexual contact with a child

Causing or attempting to cause a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct

Exposing a child to sexually explicit conduct (actual or simulated)

Sexual Abuse Guidelines…Age of Consent in DC is 16Must be 4 years age difference to prosecute

criminallyForcible sex at any age is criminalCFSA may investigate parents for lack of

supervision or failure to protect if a child is alleged to be sexually assaulted

Reports should be made to the hotline if the school is aware of a teen (16 or younger) being pregnant and the alleged father is at least 4 years older

CFSA investigates developmentally inappropriate sexual acting out in or between children

What to Do When it Might Be Sexual Abuse…

Contact CFSA immediatelyIf the child’s safety is a concern,

attempt to prevent the child from leaving school grounds with the assistance of security and contact MPD

What to Do When it Might BeAbuse by a Staff Member…

Follow standard reporting procedures according to school policy and DC Law

CFSA will notify MPD regarding the reportCFSA does not investigate staff members

of DC schools, unless residentialCFSA does investigate licensed child care

centers, residential schools, hospitals, foster placements, before and aftercare programs, and licensed kinship providers

MPD handles investigations regarding schools

CASE EXAMPLE #1: Precious is a 15 year old 10th grade female at Eastern

SHS. Precious lives in the home with her 36 year old mother, 23 year old aunt, and 4 year old cousin. Precious reports that she gets along with everyone in the home. She states that she is currently very close to her aunt, but at one time they used to fight a lot. Last weekend she surprisingly got into a heated argument with her aunt that turned physical. Precious said last Saturday her aunt got upset because a pair of her earrings were missing. She accused Precious of stealing the earrings and without warning she punched Precious in the back with her fist and threatened to stab her if she ever takes anything from her again. Precious says she defended herself by pushing her aunt away and she decided to leave the home and go to a friends house for the night. Precious says they made up on Sunday, and Precious returned home Sunday evening.

CASE EXAMPLE #2: Michael is a 16 year old sophomore at ESHS. Michael

reported to his teacher that his 15 year old girlfriend Tina is a freshman at ESHS and their relationship is serious. In fact, Michael says Tina is pregnant with his child. Michael says his mother is fond of Tina and she does know about the potential pregnancy. Last week Tina got into a physical confrontation with her grandmother and she decided to leave her grandmothers home. Since the argument last week Tina has not spoken to her grandmother, but she has been safe at Michaels home. Since Tina is pregnant with Michaels’ child, Michel’s mom just allows her to stay in the room with Michael so that he can monitor Tina. When Michael was asked about his sexual activity with Tina he says they used to “do it” but not since Tina became pregnant.

CASE EXAMPLE #3: Andre is a 14 year old freshman at Eastern. During the

Christmas season Andre begins to demonstrate signs of depression. He has been crying and giving poor eye contact to teachers that he normally associates with. When questioned, he says that his mother died on Christmas eve 3 years ago and he always gets sad around this time. He doesn’t know how to handle his feelings and he doesn’t know what he is going to do. Andre has been living with his father and 4 brothers since his mothers passing. Andre says that he hates his father. He doesn’t want to live there anymore. Andre reported that his father never has money and he is sleeping on the living room sofa due to limited space. He is tired of eating Ramen noodles and walking to school. Andre ended the conversation asking for information about group homes.

Responding to a Student Who Reports Abuse or Neglect…

DO NOT express panic, shock, or disbelief

DO NOT make the child repeat the same disclosure

DO NOT promise that you will not tell anyone

DO NOT push the child to speculate

Express your belief that the child is telling the truth

Responding to a Student Who Reports Abuse or Neglect …

Obtain only minimal disclosure◦Minimizes the number of interviews for a

child◦Minimizes the chance of a child

retracting the story◦Minimizes interference with the

investigation (civil or criminal) Use the child’s vocabulary (for reporting

and responding to child)Reassure the child that it is not their faultPrepare the child for what to expect

Making a Hotline ReportCall 202-671-SAFEProvide mandated reporter information

(identity, contact number)Provide a statement of the actions taken

concerning the childProvide name, gender, age and address of

victim and siblingsProvide clear information regarding the

nature and extent of the maltreatmentProvide supporting documentation such as

attendance reports, contact notes, or other pertinent information

*CFSA is not permitted to disclose the results of any investigation to the reporter

Resources

www.bullying.org◦ Dedicated to increasing the awareness of

bullying and to preventing, resolving, and eliminating bullying in society

Sasha Bruce www.sashabruce.org◦ Aims to improve the lives of runaway,

homeless, abused, neglected, and other at-risk youth and their families in the metro DC area (shelters, after school programs, counseling, education)

Alternative House 703-356-6360◦ Short term (14-day) respite program for teens

and parents who are experiencing conflict

CFSA ResourcesCFSA Websitehttp://www.cfsa.dc.gov/cfsa/site/default.aspPolicieshttp://www.cfsa.dc.gov/cfsa/cwp/view,a,3,q,644122,cfsaNav,|31321|.aspAdministrative Issuanceshttp://www.cfsa.dc.gov/cfsa/cwp/view,A,1418,Q,644381,cfsaNav_GID,1765,.asp

Reporting Abuse or Neglect Protects Children and is the Beginning to Building a Healthier Family Relationship!