5141.4 5141.4Students
Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect
Connecticut General Statutes 17a-101 defines the following school employees as mandated reporters: teachers, principals, guidance counselors, nurses, social workers, paraprofessionals, school physician, and physical therapist. Mandated reporters are required to report if they suspect or believe that a child has been abused (CGS 17a-101) or may be abused (CGS 17a-102).
Reporting of Alleged Child Abuse Inflicted by Person Other Than School Employees
A. Any school employee who has reasonable cause to suspect abuse of a child under the age of eighteen is required by Connecticut Statutes to report such suspicion orally by telephone or in person within twenty-four (24) hours to the Department of Children and Families.
B. Mandated reporters shall inform the building Principal immediately after an oral report has been made and the Principal in turn will immediately notify the Superintendent of Schools.
C. The oral report is to be followed within 48 hours with a written report to the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families and the local or state police. The report shall contain the names and addresses of the child and his/her parents, or other persons responsible for his/her care, if known; age of child; gender of the child; the nature and extent of his/her injuries; maltreatment or neglect, together with any evidence of previous injury or maltreatment to the child or his/her siblings; the name of the person suspected to have caused injury or maltreatment or neglect and any other information which the reporter believes might be helpful in establishing the cause of the injury or injuries and protecting the child; the approximate date and time the injury or injuries, maltreatment or neglect occurred; information concerning any previous injury or injuries to, or maltreatment or neglect of the child or his/her siblings; the circumstances in which the injury or injuries, maltreatment or neglect came to be known to the reporter; the name of the person or persons suspected to be responsible for causing such injury or injuries, maltreatment or neglect; and whatever action, if any was taken, to treat, provide shelter or otherwise assist the child.
D. The Superintendent shall: 1) immediately notify parent(s) of the alleged abuse that a report has been made; 2) immediately notify the police department of the alleged abuse.
Reporting of Alleged Child Abuse Inflicted by School Employee
CGS 17a-101 requires mandated reporters to report child abuse by school employees.
A. When the mandated reporter suspects or believes such injury has been inflicted by a school employee, he/she shall report that suspicion orally or in person to the Department of Children and Families followed within 48 hours with a written report.
B. Mandated reporters shall inform the building Principal immediately after an oral report has been made and the Principal in turn will immediately notify the Superintendent of Schools and shall also receive a copy of the written report.
C. The Superintendent shall immediately notify the child's parent/guardian that a report has been made.
D. The written report to the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families or his/her representative, concerning a certified school employee, shall also be sent by the Superintendent to the Commissioner of Education or his/her representative.
E. The report shall contain the names and addresses of the child and his/her parents, or other persons responsible for his/her care, if known; age of child; gender of the child; the nature and extent of his/her injuries; maltreatment or neglect, together with any evidence of previous injury or maltreatment to the child or his/her siblings; the name of the person suspected to have caused injury or maltreatment or neglect and any other information which the reporter believes might be helpful in establishing the cause of the injury or injuries and protecting the child; the approximate date and time the injury or injuries, maltreatment or neglect occurred; information concerning any previous injury or injuries to, or maltreatment or neglect of the child or his/her siblings; the circumstances in which the injury or injuries, maltreatment or neglect came to be known to the reporter; the name of the person or persons suspected to be responsible for causing such injury or injuries, maltreatment or neglect; and whatever action, if any was taken, to treat, provide shelter or otherwise assist the child.
F. The Superintendent is obligated to immediately begin the investigation of the report with the Department of Children and Families. The Superintendent may request assistance from the local police or state police in the investigation.
G. If the Superintendent finds evidence of child abuse by a school employee, he/she must immediately notify the child's parent guardian, the local or state police, the Commissioner of Children and Families or his/her representative, and, in the case of an investigation of a certified school employee, the Commissioner of Education or his/her representative.
H. When an investigation produces such evidence, and the employee in question is in a position requiring a certificate, the Superintendent must suspend the certified employee with pay and without diminution or termination of benefits, provided he/she notifies the Board of Education of the reasons for the suspension within 72 hours thereafter.
I. The suspension remains in effect until the Board takes action pursuant to CGS 10-151 (Teacher Tenure Act).
J. The Superintendent must report suspected child abuse by a certified school employee to the Commissioner of Education or his/her representative. If the contract of employment of a certified school employee is terminated as a result of an investigation which reveals that child abuse has occurred, the Superintendent shall notify the Commissioner of Education within 72 hours of such termination.
Identification of Problem
The following are indicators of possible abuse and neglect:
A. Bruising, burns, injuries of suspicious origin
B. Ongoing malnutrition
C. Chronic Illnesses
D. Excessive absenteeism
E. Sub-Standard Cleanliness
F. Inadequate Clothing
G. Excessive cuts, scrapes, and broken bones
H. Any mention by the student or others of episodes of physical or sexual abuse as well as neglect, including lack of supervision
I. Gross neglect of child's physical needs
J. Lack of medical treatment for the sick child.
Emergency Health Care and Reasonable Inquiry
When reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a child has been abuse or neglected exists or when a child has a visible injury, school personnel may take reasonable inquiry of a child regarding such suspicion or visible injury.
School personnel, except for a school nurse or a School Medical Advisor, may not remove or insist that a child remove clothing to confirm suspected cause or neglect, except in those circumstances where immediate action is required or in the case of apparent need for emergency medical treatment. A School Medical Advisor or school nurse may request that a child remove clothing when the following condition exists:
A. A child has identified a particular injury, the extent of which can only be determined by removing the child's clothing, and
B. The examination is necessary to determine whether medical attention is required and not merely to confirm suspected abuse, and
C. The request is made in such a manner that the child clearly understands that compliance with the request is optional and that no adverse consequences will result from a refusal to comply.
Investigation of Reports of Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect in the School Setting
As part of the investigative process, the DCF social worker and social work supervisor may determine, based upon the nature of the referral, that an interview with the child needs to be conducted in the school setting. Interviewing in the school setting will be limited to emergency situations such as the following:
A. There is probable cause to believe that a suspected child abuse/neglect victim is in need of emergency medical services; or
B. A child, who is a suspected sexual abuse victim will return upon leaving school to the care of the suspected perpetrator; or
C. There is probable cause to believe that a suspected abuse victim will be in imminent danger if returned home.
School personnel who believe that an interview in the school setting may be necessary in order to protect the child, must notify DCF as early in the day as possible to provide both DCF and the education agency ample time to coordinate activities and actions as may be appropriate. Upon receipt of such notice, DCF will advise school personnel whether the child must be interviewed in the school.
If school personnel decide to retain the child after the scheduled school day in order to ensure that DCF or local or state police be involved, school personnel must attempt to notify the parents of the child.
DCF shall be solely responsible for notifying the parent of the interview, if such notification has not already taken place. DCF shall also be responsible for notifying the parent of any activities or actions taken by DCF following the interview.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
17a-101 Protection of children from abuse. Reports required of certain professional persons. When child may be removed from surroundings without court order.
17a-102 Report of danger of abuse.
17a-106 Cooperation in relation to prevention, identification and treatment of child abuse/neglect.
PA 96-246 An Act Concerning the Reporting, Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse and the Termination of Parental Rights
10-151 Teacher Tenure Act
Policy Adopted: 11/3/08
The area DCF office serving the district is located in _____________. The telephone number is:______________. DCF regional offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After 4:30 p.m., on weekdays, and on weekends and holidays, Care-Line is the officially designated access to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.
If child abuse is suspected during a late afternoon, evening or weekend activity, the staff member must make the telephone report to Care-Line at 1-800-842-2288.
The school Principal, on the same day that the report was telephoned into DCF:
A. notifies the Director of Special Services;
B. confers with the school social worker, the school nurse, and/or other appropriate personnel — these individuals may have pertinent information regarding the case or may become involved at a later date.
C. calls the police (telephone number), to inform the department of the suspected child abuse report. The result of this communication will be a decision as to further action to be taken. If the decision is that the police will take action, such action may include, but not limited to, the following options:
1. may contact DCF to expedite follow-through on report;
2. may contact parents to inform and verify complaint;
3. may visit child's home, with or without child, to observe conditions;
4. may take the child into protective custody.
Form to be Completed
A Report of Suspected Child Abuse is to be completed by the reporter within 48 hours of the oral report. The individual completing the form removes the yellow copy and sends the rest of the form (copies and carbon) intact to Protective Services of the DCF regional office. The address of the regional offices to be used by the staff is:
Protective Services
Department of Children and Families
_______________________________________
_____________________, Connecticut 06457
The yellow copy of the report is to be sent to the Special Education Coordinator. This copy is to be considered confidential and will be sent in a sealed envelope, stamped "confidential".
Maintenance of Records on Child Abuse
The Special Education Coordinator will be responsible for maintaining the school system's central file on cases of suspected abuse. This file is to be kept separately from student's confidential records. Under no circumstances should a copy of a report be filed in a student's records. The Special Education Coordinator will make the determination on any person's "right to know", regarding suspected child abuse reports and related cases.
CHILD ABUSE PROCEDURAL CHECK LIST suspect is not certified school employee)
1. Reporter calls DCF to report suspected case of child abuse.
2. Reporter notifies Principal of suspected case of child abuse.
3. Principal contacts police.
4. Principal contacts Superintendent of Schools. If suspected offender is certified staff member, the Superintendent follows steps in B below:
5. Principal contacts special services director.
6. Principal confers with school social worker or school nurse about suspected child abuse.
7. Reporter completes Child Abuse form within 72 hours of oral report.
8. Send Child Abuse form to DCF and to Special Services Department.
CHILD ABUSE PROCEDURAL CHECKLIST (suspect is certified school employee)
1. Reporter notifies Superintendent of Schools of suspected case of child abuse.
2. The Superintendent makes an immediate oral report to DCF, to the police, and to the Connecticut Commissioner of Education.
3. The Superintendent, with assistance from DCF if desired, and the police immediately investigate the report.
4. If the investigation substantiates child abuse by a certified employee, the Superintendent notifies child’s parents or guardians, the police, DCF, and the Connecticut Commissioner of Education.
5. Superintendent suspends the employee with pay and benefits until Board acts under 10-151 on teacher termination proceedings.
6. Superintendent completes Child Abuse form within 72 hours of oral report.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
17a-101 Protection of children from abuse. Reports required of certain professional persons
17a-102 Report of danger of abuse.
17a-103 Reports by others.
17a-104 Treatment by Christian Science practitioner.
17a-106 Cooperation in relation to prevention, identification and treatment of child abuse and neglect.
46b-120 Definitions.
Regulation approved: 11/3/08