1. Child Abuse How to report for School Personnel

2. What is Child Abuse? Harm or threatened harm to a child’s health and safety by a person responsible for the child’s health and safety.

3. Harm or threatened harm includes: Physical abuse Neglect (omission of food, clothing, shelter) Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Emotional Abuse

4. Who is required to report? State law requires EVERY PERSON, private citizen or professional, who has reason to believe that a child under the age of 18 is being abused or in danger of abuse, to report the suspicion of abuse to the Department of Human Services in the county where the injury occurred.

5. A report of suspected abuse is a request for an investigation to gather facts and protect the child from further harm. It is not the responsibility of the reporting person to prove the abuse prior to reporting!

6. How to report? The Adult to whom the report of child abuse is made will immediately notify the Building Principal. The Building Principal will contact as needed the School Counselor, School Nurse, School Resource Officer (SRO) and any other appropriate school personal. The Building Principal will contact the Child Welfare Service or Law Enforcement in the county in which the child lives. The Building Principal will complete required documentation according to the Owasso Public Schools Policy and forward this information to the Child Welfare Services. As deemed necessary the School Counselor, School Nurse, SRO, Department of Human Services and Principal will meet with the student to provide support, and assess further mental health services if needed.

7. * Oklahoma law provides that any school employee who in good faith and exercising due care makes a report to DHS, allows access to a child by persons authorized to investigate a report concerning the child or participates in any judicial proceeding resulting from a report, shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed.

8. What if you suspect abuse of someone other than a student? Statewide 24 Hour Child Abuse Hotline Number 1-800-522-3511 Adult Protective Services (if over 18 years old) 918-430-2499