United School Employees of Pasco USEP

Child Abuse Investigations

Reporting Requirements

Public School Employees are Professionally Mandated Reporters  Per Chapter 39 of Florida Statutes, school personnel are obligated to know and follow procedures for reporting suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to Department of Children and Families/Child Protective Investigations (CPI).

Responsibility as Mandatory Reporter At the moment there is reasonable suspicion, school personnel, as mandatory reporters, are required to call CPI immediately without delay, without investigation, and without need for approval.

Responsibility as Mandatory Reporter  Notifying an administrator or supervisor of concerns is NOT enough.  Failure to report can result in criminal charges and/or termination from employment.  Instructional staff may also lose their teaching certificate.  Notifying an administrator or supervisor of concerns is NOT enough.  Failure to report can result in criminal charges and/or termination from employment.  Instructional staff may also lose their teaching certificate.

Responsibility as Mandatory Reporter  Reporters are not to notify the person being reported.  Mandatory reporters cannot file reports anonymously, however names are held confidential. FLORIDA ABUSE HOTLINE: ABUSE  Reporters are not to notify the person being reported.  Mandatory reporters cannot file reports anonymously, however names are held confidential. FLORIDA ABUSE HOTLINE: ABUSE

How Are Reports Involving Employees Handled?

If You Are Under Investigation, Know Your Rights

If you find yourself confronted by law enforcement and/or Child Protective Services, what should you do?

Question #1 Am I under investigation? YES Stay calm Determine which agencies are present NO Answer any questions honestly

Agencies that may be involved:  District Representative –Employee Relations or Administrator  Child Protective Investigators (CPI) – a state agency that looks out for the welfare of the child; they are not law enforcement  Law Enforcement –Sheriff’s Office, including SRO  District Representative –Employee Relations or Administrator  Child Protective Investigators (CPI) – a state agency that looks out for the welfare of the child; they are not law enforcement  Law Enforcement –Sheriff’s Office, including SRO

Question #2 Am I free to leave? YES Contact USEP for guidance NO Remain calm If law enforcement is present, remain silent and request an attorney

Advocate for Representation “I am willing to cooperate with the investigation; however, I am requesting that the interview be rescheduled at a time when I can have a representative of my choice present.”

Question #3 May I have representation? YES Contact USEP for guidance NO If law enforcement is present, remain silent and request an attorney “My natural inclination is to cooperate and I’d like to consult counsel.”

Use Your Best Judgment  The investigators may be willing to offer insight into the allegations.  If Employee Relations is present during questioning, you may be subject to disciplinary action even if CPI returns no findings.  Proceed with caution!  The investigators may be willing to offer insight into the allegations.  If Employee Relations is present during questioning, you may be subject to disciplinary action even if CPI returns no findings.  Proceed with caution!

Do Not sign or agree to anything.  If you are the subject of the investigation, you have a right to counsel Remain silent.  Request representation Proceed with caution.  Any statements can be used against you Call USEP for assistance.  An attorney can be secured if needed Do Not sign or agree to anything.  If you are the subject of the investigation, you have a right to counsel Remain silent.  Request representation Proceed with caution.  Any statements can be used against you Call USEP for assistance.  An attorney can be secured if needed Remember: