The Role of the Mandated Reporter
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The Role of the Mandated Reporter Physical Abuse: Indicators: Who are Mandated Reporters? Age inappropriate sexual behavior Administrative officer/supervisor of child welfare and Making a report of suspected child abuse is difficult. Any act which results in non-accidental injury. Compulsive masturbation There are always nagging doubts about how the attendance – public/private school Disclosure Administrator or employee of public or private day camp, parents will react, what the outcome will be and Indicators: Dramatic behavior changes youth center, youth recreation program or organization whether or not the report will put the child at greater Abrasions Eating Disorders Administrator/presenter/counselor in child abuse prevention risk. Bites Enuresis/encopresis program in public/private school .Bruises Injury/trauma unusual for age Administrator/employee of public/private organization The best way to minimize the difficulty of reporting Burns Pregnancy requiring direct contact supervision of children is to be fully prepared for the experience and to Fractures Sexually transmitted disease Alcohol and drug counselor understand the reporting requirements and the process Head Injuries Sleeping disorders Animal control officer or humane society officer that is triggered by making a report. Lacerations Child visitation monitors Stained/soiled/bloody underclothing Clergy or custodian of records of a clergy member Commercial film, photographic print processor defined in Keep in mind that Child Protective Services only subdivision (e) Section 11166 investigates allegations of child abuse or neglect Emotional Abuse: Coroner, medical examiner, person performing autopsies perpetrated or allowed by the child's parent, caretaker Neglect: Custodial officer or guardian. Allegations involving perpetrators other Emotional maltreatment consists of emotional District attorney Investigators, inspector or local child than the parents, caretakers, or guardians are referred Neglectful treatment or maltreatment of a child by abuse and deprivation or neglect. support agency caseworker unless representing the child to law enforcement for investigation. parents or caregiver under circumstances Employee of police, sheriff, probation or county welfare indicating harm or threatening harm to the child's departments health or welfare. Indicators: Employee of county office or California Department of What is standard for reporting child abuse? Belittling Education in direct contact with children on a regular basis Employee of child care (foster parents, group home Severe Neglect: Blaming Constant family discord personnel, residential care facilities "Reasonable suspicion" is the standard for reporting Employee of school district police or security department child abuse and neglect. This means that, based on Failure of parent or caregiver to protect a child Deprivation from severe malnutrition or a medically diagnosed Employee or volunteer of Court Appointed Special Advocate your training and experience, you have reason to Double message communication program failure to thrive. Failure to provide adequate food, suspect that a child is being abused or neglected. Excessive verbal assaults Firefighter (except volunteer firefighters) Ask yourself, "Do I have serious concern for the clothing or medical care. Inconsistency Head Start program teacher child's safety and well being?" Parent/caregiver does not offer Licensee, administrator, employee of community care or General Neglect: experiences providing feelings of being child day care facility Using the following information as a guideline for loved, wanted, secure, and worthy Licensing workers/evaluator defined in Section 11165.11 Marriage/family/child therapist trainee recognizing indicators of abuse and neglect: Indicators: Sarcasm Child appears malnourished Screaming Paramedics/emergency medial technicians I or II Peace Officer Child often sleepy and hungry Threats Person providing services to minor child under Section Child often dirty or inadequately dressed Unpredictability 12300 or 12300.1 of the W & I Code for weather Physician, surgeon, psychiatrist, psychologist, dentist, Evidence of poor supervision resident, intern, podiatrist, chiropractor, licensed nurse, Home conditions are unsafe or dental hygienist, optometrist, marriage, family or child unsanitary counselor, clinical social worker Psychological Assistant L acking medical and dental care Public assistance worker Sexual Abuse Social Workers, probation or parole officer State or county public health employee who treats minor or Any activity between an adult, or older child, and venereal disease or any other condition Teacher, instructional aide, teacher aide, assistants or a child which results in sexual arousal or classified employee in public or private school satisfaction of the adult or older child. Unlicensed marriage/family/child therapist intern *Volunteers are not mandated reporters How to Make a Report Where to Make a Report Many schools and agencies have developed special Crime in progress: procedures for reporting suspected child abuse. Whatever KINGS COUNTY your organization's internal procedure, suspected child Contact your local law enforcement agency abuse must be reported immediately or as soon as practically immediately or call 9-1-1 possible by calling - the Child Protective Services 24-hour Hotline -582-8776, or local law enforcement. All other incidents: A Guide for This must be followed by written report within 36 hours of receiving the information concerning the Contact Child Protective Services or the law Mandated Reporters incident (Suspected Child Abuse Report SS 8872) and enforcement agency in your community... submitted to the same agency. of Suspected CPS Hotline 866-582-8776 Child Abuse If You Suspect, Protect Who to Contact in Kings County Roles & Responsibilities Other things to know CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES Medical personnel are required by law to complete, even (866) 582-8776 without the consent of the child's parent or caretaker, Department of Justice Form 900 "Medical Report – Hanford Police Department 559-585-2535 - non emergency Suspected Child Abuse". If the suspected abuse is sexual, medical personnel who conduct the examination must also 559-584-9276 - emergency complete either Office of Criminal Justice Planning Form 925 "Medical Report" or the OCJP Form 923. Lemoore Police Department 559-924-9574 - non emergency As a mandated reporter you are responsible for reporting, 5559-84-9276 - after hours not investigating suspected abuse. Kings County Sheriff 559-582-3211 extension 2720 Mandated reporters are guilty of a misdemeanor and may be subject to civil damage suits if they fail to report. Corcoran Police Department 1400 West Lacey Blvd. Bldg. 8 The mandated reporter must give his or her name when 559-922-5151 reporting known or suspected child abuse to a protective Hanford, California 93230 Kings County CPS agency. The reporter's name is confidential; however, it Naval Criminal Investigations Services Tel: 866- 582-8776 may be disclosed only in very limited situations, as provided 559-998-3373 866-582-8776 by law. When making a report it is necessary to provide to the reporting party the name of the child, the nature and extent of the injury, and any other information that led to the report being made. .