As an employee of the West Warwick School Department, you must be familiar with the RI General Law 40-11-3.3 and the protocols below for reporting known or suspected Child Abuse and/or Neglect. If you witness or become aware of sexual assault, physical abuse or neglect of a child, you are a mandatory reporter and must take the following actions:
Step One: Immediately contact the Building Principal. Employees who are not based out of a school, shall notify the Director of Special Education Services, the Director of Elementary Schools and Federal Funding or the Superintendent.
If, for any reason, your principal or supervisor is unavailable, please notify the next person in the chain of command. You must have a conversation with a live person. An email or voicemail alone will not suffice.
Step Two: The Building Principal, the Director of Special Education Services, the Director of Elementary Schools and Federl Funding or the Superintendent shall withi 24 hours notify the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) at 1(800)RI-CHILD, 1(800)742-4453; please note this is a 24-hour number. Please be sure to document your conversation with the DCYF representative on the witness statement Form. As a West Warwick School Department employee, you must provide your name and contact information - no anonymous calls are permitted.
Step Three: Immediately after DCYF has been contacted - The Building Principal, the Director of Special Education Services or the Director of Elementary Schools and Federal Funding must inform the Superintendent.
Step Four: The Building Principal, the Director of Special Education Servies, the Director of Elementary Schools and Federal Funding or the Superintendent must then call the West Warwick Police Department at 401-821-4323. Please be sure to document your conversation with the police on the witness statement form.
Step Five: The Building Principal, the Director of Special Education Services, the Director of Elementary Schools and Federal Funding or the Superintendent shall then submit the witness statement forms documenting calls to DCYF and the Police Department to the Superintendent’s Office through the Assistant to the Superintendent.
PLEASE NOTE: If the allegations involve a staff person, immediately notify your principal; then, begin the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and Police notification process described above. Our emergency protocols require immediate Review by the Superintendent to determine if the staff member should be removed from the building.
PLEASE BE SURE TO KEEP ACCURATE INFORMATION REGARDING:
WHO YOU SPOKE TO AT EACH OF THE AFOREMENTIONED AGENCIES AND/OR OFFICES.
THE DATE AND TIME YOU SPOKE TO EACH PERSON.
A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT WAS SAID.
ANY GUIDANCE PROVIDED BY EACH OF THE RESPECTIVE INDIVIDUALS YOU CONTACTED.
I certify that I have received and understand mandatory reporting protocols. I agree to comply with the mandatory reporting protocols and related policies and procedures appicable to my job.
Printed Name of Employee: ____________________________________________________
Signature: ________________________________________________ Date: ____________
Policy Adopted:
3/14/18
Revised Date:
7/13/21