Mandatory Reporting

Child Abuse, Molestation, Neglect

SCS considers the welfare of students to be of paramount concern in its responsibilities. Therefore, all SCS employees and volunteers are directed to take whatever action may be necessary as required by Chapter 39, and 827 Florida=S Statutes and all statutes and laws of the State of Florida regarding all instances of suspected child abuse, molestation, and child neglect.

Any employee of SCS or volunteer who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse shall immediately make an oral report to the Department of Children and Families Abuse and Neglect Hotline. A person who is required to report known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect and who knowingly and willfully fails to do so, or who knowingly and willfully prevents another person from doing so, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Further, a person who does make a report of suspected abuse in good faith has immunity from civil and criminal liability pursuant to § 39.203, Florida Statutes. The person making the call (if other than the Principal) shall notify the Principal immediately. Any person who reports should keep a record of the date and time they made the report, whom they spoke to and the general information they provided to the Abuse Hotline. The Principal shall maintain records of the report but these will not be placed in a student records folder unless required by law.

The report shall be made under the following circumstances: When there is reasonable cause to suspect that child abuse or maltreatment has been inflicted through willful or negligent acts which result in neglect, malnutrition, sexual abuse, physical injury, or mental injury. Neglect is a failure to provide sustenance, clothing, shelter, or medical condition. Abuse of maltreatment may also include aiding, abetting, counseling, hiring, or procuring a child to perform or participate in any photographic motion picture, exhibition show, representation, or other presentation which, in whole or in part, depicts sexual conduct, sexual excitement or masochistic abuse involving a child as defined by law.

Any staff member who suspects an incident of abuse calls the abuse registry the same day the abuse is suspected.

The report may be made to the Abuse Hotline 1-800-962-2873 or online at https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/abuse-hotline/

DO NOT CALL THE PARENTS. The Sheriff’s Department contacts the parents.

DO NOT INTERVIEW THE CHILD. Child Protective Services staff conducts interviews with the child.

The Report of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect is completed by the staff member who reports the incident. For classroom staff, the Guidance Counselor writes the report as dictated.

The name and badge number of the Child Abuse Registry representative is included on the form. The staff member who makes the report signs the report form.

The Guidance Counselor or designee notifies and submits the report to the School Resource Officer, the same day.

All information regarding the report of suspected abuse is kept confidential and discussed away from other staff, children and/or parents.

Any employee who is observed or alleged to engage in child abuse or neglect is reported in the same manner as outlined above.

The employee will be suspended or reassigned until an investigation can be completed.

All staff must remember they have a legal and contractual obligation to report suspected abuse or neglect and failure to report a colleague suspected of any of these behaviors may be grounds for termination.

Reporting Procedure

• If an employee is suspected to have or is accused of abusing a child by a parent, family member, another employee or other, the Principal is contacted immediately. The Principal encourages the reporter to call the abuse registry to report the incident.

• The Principal or designee assists the parent, staff or other in completing a report of suspected child abuse and neglect.

• The name and badge number of the Child Abuse Registry representative is included on the form. The person who makes the report signs the report form.

• The Principal or designee notifies and sends a copy of the report to the Service Area Manager, Program Compliance Manager and the Program Director, the same day.

• All information regarding the report of suspected abuse is kept confidential and discussed away from other staff, children and/or parents.

• Information regarding the outcome of the investigation is used to determine the employee’s continued employment with the program and is treated confidentially

Record Keeping

A copy of the suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Report is filed appropriately with the Principal or designee. This document is treated confidentially. The Report of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect is filed separately from the employee’s master personnel file and with Human Resources.

• Complete the form in its entirety.

• Questions regarding the description of “how,” and “action,” may require the attachment of an additional sheet of paper. The reporter signs the additional sheet and it is attached to the report.

• Notifications are made as outlined in the body of the policy.

• The Report is signed by the person making the call to the abuse registry. If applicable, the Principal may assist in completing the Report.

• The title of the person making and completing the report form is included on the form.

• The name and badge number of the representative from the abuse registry is documented on the form.

• Notifications are made according to terms of the policy and the legend at the bottom of the form.

• A report may also be made to the Abuse Hotline 1-800-962-2873.