File: JLDBD-E
CHILD ABUSE / NEGLECT
1. All staff members will report the suspicion of child abuse/neglect to their building principal or his/her designee. (MASSACHUSETTS LAW - MANDATED REPORTER) Chapter 119.
2. The principal/designee will contact the DCF (Dept. of Children & Families) at 493-2600. Within 48 hours of the verbal report, a written report, a 51-A form must be sent to the Department of Children & Families Office, 261 High Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. (Parent or guardian may be notified unless it presents further risk to the child.)
3. The Principal/designee/reporter will keep a copy of the written 51-A form and any other communications sent from DCF for at least one (1) year.
4. When a DCF worker wants to interview a student in school, the caseworker must present positive DCF identification and a brief explanation of the nature of the visit to the principal/designee. The interview may take place with or without school personnel present.
5. When a DCF worker wants to remove a student from the school building, the caseworker must present positive I.D. and do one of the following:
a. Present a court order (Precept or mittimus)
b. Have parental consent
6. In the event of an extreme emergency situation the DCF worker can remove the student(s) from school without a precept, or having parental consent. The principal or designee will contact the DCF social worker’s supervisor or program manager to verify action.
Revised: 9/14/10 (Name change from “DSS” to “DCF” and “Department of Social Services” to “Department of Children & Families”)
West Springfield Public Schools (9/14/10)