Additional Mental and Behavioral Health Resources and Information
If you or someone you know is experiencing a life threatening emergency or is in immediate need of a mental health evaluation to determine safety, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.
Protecting Children From Abuse and Mandatory Reporting M.G.L. c.119, § 51A:
Requires that all “mandated reporters” report suspected cases of abuse and/or neglect to the office of the Department of Children and Families of the town in which the child resides. Reporting Suspected Abuse ➢ If you suspect abuse of a child, contact the building Principal, the Director of Pupil Personnel Services or the Guidance immediately.
➢ The appropriate administrator will then make an oral report of suspected abuse to the Department of Children and Families and, within 48 hours, will file a written report.
➢ If you fail to report suspected abuse or neglect you are subject to civil penalties of up to $5000.
➢ Mandated reporters are immune from liability so long as there is some reasonable basis for the report. The Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC)
➢ An independent state agency responsible for investigating complaints of abuse of adults (including adult students) with disabilities (18-59)
➢ Suspected abuse of any student with a disability who has reached 18 years of age must be reported
➢ Instances of suspected abuse or neglect must be reported immediately to the DPPC 24-hour Hotline at 1-800-426-9009