Child Abuse Reporting

   It is our ethical duty to report suspected child abuse to the appropriate agency, failure to do so may result in a misdemeanor charge. This report can be made via telephone 1-800-522-3511. Whenever you are reporting suspected child abuse, please make the building supervisor (principal) aware of the report or intent to file a report. For more information click on the link below. 

ANY employee of this school district who has reasonable cause to believe or suspect that a child is being subjected to physical or sexual abuse or neglect or has observed the child being subjected to circumstances or conditions that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, as defined by statute, will immediately report his/her findings to the Department of Human Services or Child Abuse Hotline in the county in which such suspected abuse occurred, by telephone or in-person followed by a written report. If the report is not made in writing, it shall be reduced to writing as soon as possible after it is made and submitted to the Department of Human Services. OKCPS District Policy also states that school personnel will also contact the local law enforcement agency—the building principal, who will advise the superintendent (or designee) that the report was made, will assist with the notification to law enforcement.

    Employees will not contact the child’s family or any other person to determine the cause of the suspected abuse or neglect. School officials or employees shall not reveal any information regarding the suspected abuse or neglect to any parties other than supervisory personnel, the Department of Human Services, and the appropriate law enforcement personnel. It is not the responsibility of the school official or employee to prove the child has been abused or neglected.

    The reporting obligations under this section are individual, and no employer, supervisor or administrator of a person required to provide information pursuant to this section shall discharge, or in any manner discriminate or retaliate against, any such person who in good faith provides such child abuse reports or information, testifies, or is about to testify in any proceeding involving child abuse or neglect; provided, that such person did not perpetrate or inflict such abuse or neglect.

    In accordance with the policy of the board of education, the following regulation concerning the reporting of suspected child abuse and/or neglect shall apply:

     The person receiving the disclosure or having suspicion of sexual or physical abuse shall orally report the suspected child abuse to the Department of Human Services. The Child Abuse Hotline number is 1-800-522-3511 and the line is open 24 hours a day.  The person making the oral report to the Department of Human Services is also responsible for submitting a written report (if necessary/required) to the Department of Human Services.  NEW:  If you file a DHS report, you must call 911 to let them know.  Call, state your name, position, and that you made a DHS report.   The dispatcher will guide you from there.

    A copy of any written report shall be given to the school building administrator, who will send a copy of the report to the appropriate school director, the administrator of guidance and counseling, and the supervisor of health services. The reports should be treated in a confidential manner by the reporting employee, the principal, and the director.

    Employees may initially question the child to determine the child’s state of neglect or injuries.  However, in no case should the child be subject to undue pressure in order to validate the suspicion of abuse. Validation of suspected child abuse is the responsibility of the Department of Human services, assisted by the police.

    In suspected cases of physical and sexual abuse, the suspect victim may be questioned by the police or social worker at the school without the principal obtaining permission of the victim’s parent or guardian.

    Employees will not contact the parent/guardian concerning suspected child abuse.   

**Any DHS worker must have building administrator clearance.  Any DHS requests to visit students must be cleared with the Principal or Assistant Principal.  No exceptions!  If you are not sure, please check with Mr. Ruzzoli or Ms. Gifford first!  Never allow any person, DHS, police, or otherwise, to remove a child from campus without an administrator’s clearance.