1. A Prayer for Children A Prayer for Children Ina Hughes Child Abuse The Role of the School Clara Cáceres Contreras, B.S., M.Ed., C.P.S, I.CPS Certified Prevention Specialist School Health/Safe Schools Region One Education Service Center 956-984-6125 ccontreras@esc1.net www.esc1.net/schoolhealth

2. Risk Factors Criminal Behavior 14% of all men in prison in the USA were abused as children 36% of all women in prison were abused as children Children who experience child abuse & neglect are  59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile  28% more likely to be arrested as an adult  30% more likely to commit violent crime

3. Risk Factors Substance Abuse Two-thirds cases involve substance use Children whose parents abuse alcohol & other drugs are three times more likely to be abused & four times more likely to be neglected than children from non-abusing families Two-thirds of the people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused or neglected as children

4. Risk Factors Consequences Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy Abused teens are less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs

6. CountyChildConfirmed Victims of Child Abuse/ Neglect Confirmed Victims of Child Abuse/ Neglect per 1000 Children Cameron133,737 1,970 14.7 Hidalgo253,765 2,593 10.2 Jim Hogg1,464 76 51.9 Starr23,913 255 10.7 Webb89,516 744 8.3 Willacy6,681 155 23.2 Zapata4,635 90 19.4 State Total6,584,709 66,897 10.2 C ONFIRMED CPS V ICTIMS & I NVESTIGATIONS 2010

7. CountyChild PopulationConfirmed Victims of Child Abuse/ Neglect Confirmed Victims of Child Abuse/ Neglect per 1000 Children % Cameron137,8761,81913.2 Hidalgo276,1102,6859.7 Jim Hogg1,5154529.7 Starr20,66821610.5 Webb90,26090310 Willacy5,95815125.3 Zapata4,9207014.2 State Total7,054,63464,3669.1 C ONFIRMED CPS V ICTIMS & I NVESTIGATIONS 2012

8. Role of the School Texas Education Code 38.004 CHILD ABUSE REPORTING AND PROGRAMS Each school district shall adopt the policy. (a-1) The agency shall: (1) maintain on the agency Internet website a list of links to websites that provide information regarding the prevention of child abuse; and (2) develop and periodically update a training program on prevention of child abuse that a school district may use for staff development. (b) Each school district shall provide child abuse anti- victimization programs in elementary and secondary schools.

9. Policies Addressing Sexual Abuse & Other Maltreatment of Children (a) Each school district shall include in the district improvement plan under Section 11.252 and any handbook provided to students and parents. (b) A policy must address: (1) methods for increasing staff, student, & parent awareness regarding sexual abuse & other maltreatment of children, including prevention techniques & knowledge of likely warning signs indicating that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse or other maltreatment (2) actions that a child who is a victim of sexual abuse or other maltreatment should take to obtain assistance and intervention; and Role of the School Texas Education Code 38.0041

10. (3) available counseling options for students affected by sexual abuse or other maltreatment. (c) The methods for increasing awareness of issues regarding sexual abuse and other maltreatment of children must include training The training: (1) must be provided, as part of a new employee orientation (2) may be provided annually Role of the School Texas Education Code 38.0041

11. (3) must include training concerning: (A) factors indicating a child is at risk (B) likely warning signs; (C) internal procedures for seeking assistance for a child (D) techniques for reducing a child's the risk (E) community organizations that have relevant existing research-based programs that are able to provide training or other education (d) Each school district shall maintain records that include the name of staff member who participated in the training. (e) District shall work with a community organization to provide the training at no cost to the district or charter school. Role of the School Texas Education Code 38.0041

12. SB 939 Child Abuse In Section 38.004, The Agency is required to develop a policy governing the reports of child abuse or neglect in which each district is required to report child abuse Section 38.0041,requires the agency to develop a schedule by agency rule such that all district school employees take the training concerning prevention techniques for the recognition of sexual abuse and other maltreatment of children. 38.0042, requires each public school and open enrollment charter school to post the child abuse hotline telephone number. The commissioner may adopt rules relating to the size and location of the sign. Action required for 2013-14 School Year: Develop a schedule for training and create/amend Commissioner Rules. Effective Date: September 1, 2013

13. Responsibility to Report Person reporting does not need to be certain that child is being abused or neglected, only to have a reason for believing Any time a child discloses abuse to an adult, the adult has reason to make a report If professional thinks a child has been or may be abused or neglected, he/she must report within 48 hours Professionals may not delegate or rely on another to make report

14. Responsibility to Report Child’s physical/mental health/welfare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect Must report the case immediately to a law enforcement agency or CPS Failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect is a Class B Misdemeanor

15. Types of Child Abuse? Sexually Physically Neglect Emotionally

16. RESOURCES HTTP://WWW.TEA.STATE.TX.US/CHILDABUSE.HTML Child Abuse Texas Education Agency TRAINING VIDEO HTTP://WWW.DFPS.STATE.TX.US/TRAINING/REPORTI NG/DEFAULT.ASP TRAINING VIDEO https://www.oag.state.tx.us/media/videos/play.ph p?image=childabuse&id=105

17. CPS Investigation Reports are assigned priority that determines time frames for starting investigation (based on report) Priority I: Immediate risk for abuse/neglect that could cause death or serious harm Must start investigation within 24 hours of initial report Priority II: Includes all reports not classified as Priority I Investigation must start within 10 days of initial report Other reports that do not meet definition of abuse or neglect (as defined by Family Code) are not assigned

18. CPS Investigation Staff must assign a disposition to each accusation for investigation: Reason to Believe: abuse has occurred Ruled Out: no abuse has occurred based on evidence Unable to Complete: conclusion cannot be made because family – 1) could not be found; 2) would not cooperate

19. During the Disclosure Avoid denial Provide a safe environment Reassure the child Listen and don’t make assumptions Do not Interrogate Make no promises Document exact quotes Be supportive, not judgmental Respect the child’s privacy Have an understanding about abuse and neglect Seek advise Report any suspicion of child abuse & neglect Remember, it is the responsibility of adults to take action & keep children safe

20. Working with Kids Tell them it’s not their fault!!! Let them know you’re glad they told Do not promise confidentiality Encourage, don’t force talking Report 1-800-252-5400 Emergency 911

21. Protective Factors Framework Nurturing and Attachment Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development Parental Resilience Social Connections Concrete Support for Parents Social and Emotional Competence of Children

22. Protective Factors: School Success at school Positive relationships with one or more teachers Positive relationships with peers Strong bond with positive others (School nurse?) Nurturing and supportive school climate Conditions that foster feelings of competence, self- determination, and connectedness  http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/pdfdocs/Sampler/Resilien cy/resilien.pdf

23. Child Abuse Prevention Curriculum Speak Up Be Safe - 1 st – 6 th grade http://www.speakupbesafe.org/child_abuse_preventi on_curriculum.html We Help Ourselves – Pre-K – 12 Anti-Victimization Education http://www.wehelpourselves.org/who/en/parents/cur riculum.aspx

24. Agency Resources Avance, Family Support, RGV, 956-618-1642; Laredo, 956-728-1600 Buckner Children & Family Services, Services for At Risk Youth (STAR) 956-423-7909, Hidalgo, Cameron & Starr Counties Casa de Misericordia, 1-877-782-2722 Jim Hogg, Webb, Zapata Counties Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, (CASA), 956-381-HOLD Family Crisis Center, Harlingen (956) 423-9304; Raymondville(956) 689- 5250 Lamar Rooney Vergada Ctr., Laredo, Tx, 956-726-0151, Jim Hogg, Webb, Zapata Counties Serving Children and Adolescents in Need, Inc, (SCAN), Laredo, 956-724- 5111; Pharr, 956-782-9453 Rio Grande Valley Council, Inc., PHARR, 956-787-7111, OSAR (Counseling) South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Laredo, 956-284-2150 Tip of Texas Family Outreach Services, Brownsville, 956-541-5566 Valley AIDS Council, Harlingen, TX; 956-428-9322 Woman Together/Mujeres Unidas, 1-800-580-4879 Call 211 for information on anything you need!