mandated reporter training supplementary participant materials

Supplementary Participant Materials

http://www.preventchildabusewv.org

1-866-4KIDSWV

Making a Difference: Mandate to Report, Responsibility to Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect A.1

Parental & Family Factors That May Lead to Maltreatment1 Parental / Caregiver Immaturity Very young and or inexperienced parents/caregivers may not understand a child's behaviors and needs and may not know what to expect at each stage of the child's development. Unrealistic Expectations Expectations of the child are beyond what he/she is developmentally capable of performing. Social Isolation A lack of friends or family to help with the demands of parenting or to provide adult companionship and support for the parent/caregiver. Unmet Emotional Needs Parents who are not relating well to other adults may turn to their child to satisfy their need for love, acceptance, and self-esteem. Frequent Crisis Financial, job, marital and, legal stresses/problems as well as major illness, etc., may contribute to abuse or neglect of children. Poor Childhood Experiences Many abusive adults were mistreated as children and may not have learned or developed the ability to relate to children in an appropriate, nonviolent manner. Drug or Alcohol Problems Such problems impair parental ability to care properly for children and may expose the children to danger. Mental Illness Untreated and/or chronic mental illness could lead to abuse and neglect. Poor Family Boundaries Failure to protect a child from harm can include: unlimited access to the home by many outsiders, access to medications, dangerous objects and animals, lack of adequate supervision, etc. Dangerous Home Environment Access to medications, the presence of dangerous objects and/or animals, lack of adequate supervision, etc.

1 Adapted from Promises to Keep: The Mandate to Report, The Opportunity to Prevent, Prevent Child Abuse Georgia


Indicators of Possible Child Maltreatment A combination or pattern of indicators should alert you to the possibility of child maltreatment. You may notice physical and behavioral indicators by observing the child, and you may become aware of indicators that relate to the parent or caregiver.

Type of Abuse Physical Indicators Child Behavioral Indicators

Caregiver Characteristics

Physical Abuse The non-‐accidental physical injury of a child.

Questionable bruises and welts: • on face, lips, mouth. • on torso, back,

buttocks, thighs, arms.

• in various stages of healing. (In the first stage, the bruise is reddish-‐blue. In the second stage, the bruise is purplish black. In the third stage, the bruise turns yellowish-‐green.)

• clustered, forming regular patterns.

• reflecting shape of article used to inflict injury (electric cord, belt buckle).

• on several different surface areas.

• regularly appearing after absence, weekend, or vacation.

• human bite mark. • bald spots.

Questionable burns: • cigar or cigarette

burns, especially on soles, palms, back or buttocks.

• immersion burns (sock-‐like or glove-‐like, or doughnut shaped on buttocks or genitalia).

• uncomfortable with physical contact.

• wary of adult contacts.

• apprehensive when other children cry.

• behavioral extremes (aggressiveness or withdrawal).

• frightened of parents.

• afraid to go home. • reports injury by

parent or caregiver. • complains of

soreness or moves uncomfortably.

• wears clothing inappropriate to weather to cover body.

• reluctance to change or take off clothes

• (attempt to hide injuries, bruises, etc.).

• self destructive.

• history of abuse as a child.

• uses harsh discipline inappropriate to child’s age, transgression, and condition.

• offers illogical, unconvincing, or contradictory explanations of child’s injury, or offers no explanation.

• significantly misperceives child (for example, sees child as “bad”, “stupid”, “different”, etc.).

• psychotic or psychopathic personality.

• misuses alcohol or other drugs.

• attempts to conceal child’s injury or to protect identity of person responsible.

• unrealistic expectations of child, beyond child’s age or ability.




Physical Abuse (con’t) • patterned like electric burner, iron, cigarette lighter, etc.

• rope burns on arms, legs, neck, or torso.

• singed hair. Questionable fractures: • to skull, nose, facial

structure. • in various stages of

healing. • multiple or spiral

fractures. Questionable lacerations or abrasions: • to mouth, lips,

gums, eyes. • to external genitalia.




Neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment. Neglect is failure to provide for a child’s physical survival needs to the extent that there is harm or risk of harm to the child’s health or safety. Physical neglect may include, but is not limited to: • abandonment. • lack of

supervision. • lack of adequate

bathing and good hygiene.

• lack of adequate nutrition.

• lack of adequate shelter.

• lack of medical or dental care.

• lack of required school enrollment or attendance.

• consistent hunger, poor hygiene, inappropriate dress.

• consistent lack of supervision, especially in dangerous activities of long periods.

• unattended physical problems or medical needs, including vision and hearing difficulties.

• continuous lice or scabies, distended stomach, emaciated.

• required immunizations neglected.

• abandonment.

• begging, stealing food. • constant fatigue,

listlessness, or falling asleep.

• alcohol or drug abuse. • states there is no

caregiver. • frequently absent. • shunned by peers. • self destructive.


• maintains chaotic home.

• evidence of apathy or hopelessness.

• mentally ill or diminished intelligence.

• history of neglect as a child.

• consistent failure to keep appointments.

• leaving child unattended in vehicle.

NOTE: A child is neglected under West Virginia law [WV Code §49-1-3] when the failure, refusal, or inability to provide for the child is not due primarily to a lack of financial means on the part of the parent, guardian or custodian.




Sexual abuse is defined as acts of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation of minors. Sexual abuse encompasses a broad range of behavior and may consist of many acts over a long period of time or a single incident. Victims are both boys and girls, and range in age from less than one year through adolescence.

• difficulty in walking or sitting.

• torn, stained or bloody underclothing or diaper.

• pain, discomfort, bleeding or itching in genital area.

• bruises or bleeding in external genitalia, vaginal or anal areas.

• venereal disease. • frequent urinary or

yeast infections. • encopresis (fecal

soiling). • massive weight

change.

• unwilling to change or take off clothes.

• withdrawal, chronic depression or phobias.

• overly compliant, passive, undemanding behavior aimed at maintaining a low profile.

• hostility or aggression. • bizarre or unusual

sexual behavior or knowledge.

• detailed and age-‐inappropriate understanding of sexual behavior.

• unusually seductive behaviors with peers and adults.

• excessive masturbation.

• poor peer relations. • reports sexual abuse. • threatened by physical

contact. • suicide attempt. • role reversal, overly

concerned for siblings. • unexplained money or

“gifts”. • poor self esteem, self

devaluation, lack of confidence.

• regression in developmental milestones, and lags in development.

• sleep disturbances, including severe nightmares.

• excessive bathing or poor hygiene.

• drawings with strong, bizarre sexual theme.

• extremely protective or jealous of child.

• encourages child to engage in prostitution.

• encourages child to engage in sexual acts in presence of caregiver.

• sexually abused as a child.


• non-‐abusing caregiver/spouse is frequently absent

• from the home, permitting access to child by abusing caregiver/ spouse.




Emotional maltreatment can include patterns of: • verbal assaults,

including screaming, intimidating, rejecting, ridiculing, threatening, blaming, sarcasm.

• ignoring and indifference.

• constant family conflict.

Cases of emotional abuse are extremely difficult to prove. A cause and effect relationship between the parent or caregiver’s acts and the child’s response must be established.

• speech disorders. • lags in physical

development. • failure to thrive.

• conduct disorders (antisocial, destructive).

• neurotic traits (sleep disorders, inhibition of play).

• behavior extremes: compliant, passive, undemanding, aggressive, demanding, rageful.

• overly adaptive behavior: “Parents” other children inappropriately.

• inappropriately infantile or emotionally needy.

• self-‐destructive, attempted suicide.

• Not meeting a child’s educational needs such as failing to enroll a child in school, refusing recommended remedial services without good reason, or repeatedly keeping a child out of school without good reason.

• blames or belittles child.

• ignores or rejects.

• withholds love. • treats siblings

unequally. • seems

unconcerned about child’s problems.

• unreasonable demands or impossible expectations without regard to child’s developmental capacity.


What to do When a Child or Adult Discloses

1. Find a private place to talk with the person.

2. Reassure the person making the disclosure.

a. "I believe you." b. "I am glad you told me." c. "It is not your fault this happened," (if talking to the child). d. Affirm that maltreatment is wrong.

3. Listen openly and calmly, with minimal interruptions. Try to keep your own emotions and nonverbal cues neutral.

4. Write down the facts and words as the person has stated them. Use the child’s own vocabulary.

5. Do not promise not to tell. Know your limits. This is not a situation you can handle by yourself. However, do not discuss what the child told you with anyone who is not directly involved in helping the child.

6. Tell the truth. Don’t make promises you can’t keep, particularly relating to secrecy, court involvement, placement and social worker decisions.

7. Be specific. Let the child know exactly what is going to happen. Tell the child that you must report the abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services. Tell the child that a social worker who helps families with these kinds of problems may be coming to talk with the child.

8. Assess the child’s immediate safety. Is the child in immediate physical danger? Is it a crisis? Are there others in the home who can protect the child?

9. Be supportive. Remember why the child came to you. The child needs your help, support and guidance. Reassure the child that telling about the abuse or neglect was the right thing to do. It is the only way to make it stop.

10. Report the disclosure within 48 Hours to Child Protective Services. Call the toll-free CPS Hotline at 1-800-352-6513. For serious physical abuse and sexual abuse, also contact the state police and local law enforcement.


What NOT to Say When Someone Discloses To You

1. Don't ask "why" questions such as • "Why didn't you stop him or her?" • "Why are you telling me this?"

2. Don't say "Are you sure this is happening?"

3. Don't ask "Are you telling the truth?"

4. Don't say "Let me know if it happens again."

5. Don't ask "What did you do to make this happen?"

If someone does make a disclosure, don't try to get all the details. Listen attentively and ask him/her if he/she wants to say anything else. If she chooses to say nothing more, then proceed to notify the designated official as soon as possible and follow the steps outlined by your church/agency policy. Also, write down the actual words used in the disclosure and your interaction with the individual. This first statement made spontaneously has forensic significance to the investigators and the exact words can be important. Above all, MINIMIZE the number of questions you ask and avoid the use of leading questions (questions that suggest an answer) e.g., "Did your uncle touch you in the private area too? Was he wearing a blue jacket?"


Types of Disclosures

1. Indirect Hints

Examples ♦ "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 those reasons.

2. Disguised Disclosure

Examples ♦ "I know someone who is being touched in a bad way." ♦ "What would happen if a girl told someone she was being

molested, but the person did not believe her?"

Explanation A person may be talking about someone she or he knows, but is just as likely to be talking about himself or herself. Encourage the individual to tell you what he or she knows about the "other person." Then ask whether something like what is being said has ever happened to him or her.

3. Disclosures with Strings Attached

Examples

♦ "I have a problem, but if I tell you, you have to promise not to tell."

Explanation Many people believe something very negative will happen if they break the secret of maltreatment. The child may have been threatened by the offender to ensure his or her silence. Let the person know that there are some secrets that you just can't keep. Assure the individual that your job is to protect the child and keep him/her safe. Let the person know you will keep it as confidential as possible, but that you are required by law to make a report.


Report received by

DHHR

Thorough intake

assessment occurs

Interview findings

conveyed to CPS Supervisor

Does information

indicate abuse or neglect or

likelihood of abuse or neglect?

YesAssign to Case

Worker for assessment

Is the child unsafe or does child need

protected?

Yes

Open Case for ongoing CPS

Can the child be safely kept in their home with formal/informal supports?

Yes

Implement an in-home

safety plan

No

Implement an out of home safety plan by

petitioning the courts to place the child in a

safe environment

Conduct a Family Assessment in order to

determine what must change for the child to be safe and not need

protected.

Develop and implement

treatment plan. Ongoing Safety Management.

Service provision based upon

treatment plan.

Case review to determine if parental conduct and behaviors have changed causing

the child to no longer need protection.

Yes

Transition the family to case

closure.

No Modify treatment plan if necessary.

No No

Refer family to Community Resources if indicated and

close the case for CPS

Safety is continually assessed to Ensure in-home safety plan controls the threat. If it doesn't, Then

Out-of-Home Safety Plan is requested.

Reporting Suspected Abuse or Neglect in West Virginia

Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline1-800-352-6513


Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development. Crying babies, challenging children, and children with special needs are at the highest risk of abuse and neglect.

Parents need:• information to help them understand the reasons behind their child’s

behavior, • techniques to manage those behaviors and guide development, and• perspective, to put their child’s behavior in the context of overall

development (for example: intense infant crying is a phase that will pass; stubborn and independent behavior in toddlers is normal)

Parents have teachable moments just like children do – usually when their child has presented them with a new challenge or they are trying to tackle a new task like toilet training.

Finally, parents need alternative ways of responding to their children than simply the ones they learned from how they were parented (especially parents who were abused or neglected as children – but also for people who grew up in families that over-relied on physical punishment and spanking).

!"

Circles of Caring:Protective Factors that

Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect

Parental Resilience. Resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when life becomes stressful. Problems at work or challenges at home can make parenting even more difficult and ensure that children get the love and attention they need.

We can build resilience by reaching out to one another and helping parents during the inevitable challenges of life. When parents feel stressed or frustrated, you have the opportunity to offer support and encouragement.

About Protective Factors...The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) has completed a comprehensive research analysis, which identified the following five Protective Factors that are linked to the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

These Protective Factors or “Circles of Caring” are conditions in families and communities that, when present, increase the health and well-being of children and families. These attributes also serve as buffers against risk factors for child maltreatment.

Research confirms that children are shaped by the people, experiences and environment in which they live. By implementing strategies that build these Protective Factors, we can create communities that care for children, which will enhance the lives of children and their families and greatly improve our common future.


Social and Emotional Development of Children. Supporting children’s social and emotional skills helps the communication between parents and their children and can reduce tensions within the family.

When parents, caregivers and others help children express their feelings and needs effectively, children are less likely to resort to tantrums, biting or fighting. Over time, better communication about feelings helps cement the important bonds that children have with their parents and other adults.

In addition, being able to talk about how they feel helps children be more likely to confide in a trusted adult about situations that make them feel uncomfortable or unsafe..

Concrete Support in Times of Need. Providing concrete supports is an important way of intervening before a crisis happens. Parents that are struggling to meet basic needs for their families will not be able to focus on less-immediate concerns like positive discipline and enhancing their child’s development.

Concrete Support may include:• Response to a crisis such as food, shelter, and clothing,• Assistance with daily needs such as health care, education, or job

opportunities,• Services for parents dealing with depression and other mental health issues, domestic violence, or

substance abuse,• Specialized services for children.

“Times of need” is not limited to families in poverty. All families have times of need, whether it’s at the birth of a new child, health problems, etc. Mental illness, substance abuse and domestic violence can happen in any family.

Social Connections. Having trusting relationships and being part of a social network goes a long way to decrease isolation – a major factor in child abuse and neglect. When parents have friends they can trust and confide in, they feel supported and are less likely to feel lonely.

For preventing child abuse and neglect, it’s not just having social connections, but the quality of the connections:• Having someone to talk to and vent frustration, especially about

parenting challenges.• Connections that help families to access resources – (e.g. a friend that will provide babysitting)• Opportunities to see other parents parenting – this allows parents to pick up some good

techniques and perhaps also recognize some strategies that don’t work.• Social networks that include positive norms about parenting – conversations with other parents

about the joys of raising children and sharing tips for positive things to do with children.

TM

For more information visit:http://www.preventchildabusewv.org


Links to Additional Information

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) More information about the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES) is available online at http://www.acestudy.org/.

Child Maltreatment Statistics Data cited in this training is from 2008 Child Maltreatment Annual Report published by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, April 2010, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/.

Community Based Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention in WV The WV Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Children and Families, oversees West Virginia's community based child abuse awareness and prevention grants, which are administered according to the guidelines of the Federal CBCAP Program Instructions. West Virginia funds four program areas: Family Leadership First, In-Home Family Education, Partners in Prevention, and Starting Points Centers. Information about these and other child abuse prevention efforts in WV is available online at http://www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/children_adult/cabuseprev/.

Emerging Practices in the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Published 2003: Office of Child Abuse and Neglect, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Published as a component of the Child Abuse Prevention Initiative administered by the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, this study identifies best practices in the field of child abuse prevention. The report provides an overview of child abuse prevention and describes each of the selected programs. http://www.preventchildabusewv.org/docs/EmergingPractices.pdf

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Within Youth-Serving Organizations The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a comprehensive website which contains a variety of educational information about child maltreatment and its prevention, http://www.cdc.gov.

Protective Factors The protective factors were identified by The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), after a comprehensive analysis of child abuse prevention research in conjunction with a consortium of leading child abuse prevention experts and researchers, http://www.cssp.org.


Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect in West Virginia The following booklets are available via the publications section of the Prevent Child Abuse WV website, http://www.preventchildabusewv.org/publications.php.

In a Child’s Best Interest: A Guide for West Virginia School Personnel in Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect. Revised 2007. http://www.preventchildabusewv.org/docs/childs_best_interest.pdf

It Shouldn’t Hurt to Be a Child: A Guide for Early Childhood Providers in Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect. Revised 2007. http://www.preventchildabusewv.org/docs/It_Shouldnt_Hurt.pdf

One Child at a Time: A Guide for Professionals in Recognizing and Reporting the Abuse and Neglect of Children with Disabilities. Revised 2007. http://www.preventchildabusewv.org/docs/One_Child_At_A_Time.pdf

Child Abuse & Neglect: A Reporting Guide for Health Professionals, Oct. 2010.

West Virginia Children’s Trust Fund The West Virginia Children’s Trust Fund funds community-based programs that help children grow up free from abuse and neglect. Examples include programs for new parents, school-based programs, public awareness activities and other evidence-based prevention efforts. Funds are received by individual donations including the WVCTF voluntary check off on the WV State Income Tax Form. Additional information is available online at http://www.wvctf.org.


ABOUT THE TEAM FOR WEST VIRGINIA CHILDREN

TEAM stands for “Together Eliminating Abuse and Maltreatment.” The TEAM for West Virginia Children, a Huntington-based non-profit agency, formed in 1986, dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. A small paid staff is helped by many volunteers to conduct programs including:

• The Child Assault Prevention (CAP) project is presented in area elementary schools to help children learn to identify and deal with potentially dangerous situations. The CAP Project offers a workshop for school personnel and parents prior to the program with the children. All seek to empower children by providing information, teaching assertiveness, reducing isolation and encouraging children to seek help.

• The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) project provides trained community volunteers (CASA), appointed by a Circuit Court judge, to advocate for the best interests of an abused or neglected child who has been placed in state custody. The CASA fully researches the situation and makes recommendations to the judge on services needed and permanent placement for the child. The goal is a safe, permanent home for the child.

• Public awareness campaigns: The TEAM provides both speakers and materials to promote child abuse prevention. Specific materials are available to help prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome and promoting safe infant sleep through the Our Babies: Safe & Sound Campaign. The TEAM has developed a series of booklets on identifying and reporting child abuse for mandated reports.

• The Healthy Families America project: This project provides voluntary intensive home visitor services for first-time parents who face many challenges. The goal is to help the family get off to a good start by promoting parent-child bonds, providing child development information, and serving as a link to needed community resources.

• Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia (PCA-WV): This project is working to support safe and strong families through education, effective programs, and sound public policy. PCA-WV is a state chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America. Partners in Prevention is a statewide initiative of PCA-WV involving community teams around the state who are working to promote the well-being of children on a community level.

To contact the TEAM for West Virginia Children: WEBSITES: http://www.teamwv.org http://www.preventchildabusewv.org PHONE: (304) 523-9587 FAX: (304) 523-9595 ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1653, Huntington, W.Va., 25717-1653 E=MAIL: [email protected] Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/team4wvchildren