Abuse and Neglect Mandatory Reporting The Process of a Report Institutional tips

THE RIGHT TO INVESTIGATE Florida Statutes Chapter Chapter 65C-29 Child Welfare Administrative Rules

“To provide for the care, safety, and protection of children in an evironment that fosters healthy social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development.”

By law..”Caregiver” means the parent, legal custodian, permanent guardian, adult household member or person responsible for a child’s welfare. This includes the child’s legal guardian or foster parent, school employee, public or private day care, residential home, institution, facility or agnecy, a law enforcement officer in any facility operated by DJJ, babysitter or relative.

 Maltreatments  Physical Abuse  Neglect  Threatened Harm  Sexual Abuse  Special Conditions

NEGLECT Abandonment Environmental Hazards Failure to Protect Failure to Thrive Inadequate Supervision Malnutrition Dehydration Medical Neglect Substance Misuse

BEWARE OF “SOCIAL MEDIA” OUTLETS! SEXUAL ABUSE Molestation Battery Exploitation (Beware of social media outlets)

PHYSICAL INJURY Asphyxiation Burns Internal Injuries Bone Fracture Physical Injury

THREATENED HARM Bizarre Punishment Family Violence Human Trafficking Threatened Harm Mental Injury

SPECIAL CONDITIONS Death Foster Care Referrals Child on Child Parent Needs Assistance

STATUTE “any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent or caregiver, by law, is mandated to report the incident.”

FAILURE TO REPORT “ 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 prevents another person from doing so, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.”

CONFIDENTIALITY “It is a violation of state law for an Investigator or DCF employee to release the information to anyone without the written consent of the reporter. Failure is a violation of state law.”

Who are the reporters? Doctors and Medical Staff, day care workers, foster care counselors, foster parents, health professionals, home visitors, institutional workers, judges, law enforcement, medical examiner, mental health professional, residential worker, school staff, school bus drivers, social workers.

What do I need to report? These items are not required but recommended, name of the victim, social security number, date of birth, the race and sex of the victim, the a/p name, when and where and what happened, your name and your relationship to the incident, good contact number for you.

The Process of a Report

 All calls go to the hot line which is located in Tallahassee.  Hot Line reviews the information to ensure that it meets statutory guidelines to be excepted.

HOT LINE The victim is under 18 years of age, Has not been married, The incident happened in Florida, The victim has been or threatened to be harmed, The a/p is a parent or caregiver.

 The report is called out to the county that the victim is located,  CPI (Child Protective Investigator) has 24 hours on most cases to see the victim,  CPI has less than four hours if it is deemed an immediate, the victim is currently at risk,  If the victim has injuries, they are taken to the Child Protection team,  If the victim is removed, the CPI has 24 hours to go before a judge to show cause for the removal.

Investigation Tips

WHO GETS INVESTIGATED  Day Cares,  AHCA,  APD,  DJJ,  Schools,  Foster Homes,

Provide copies of DVD or recordings, Establish emergency procedures that are realistic, Be able to provide copies of training and certifications, Make the driver/staff available for interview in a timely manner, Be honest, Identify steps taken to prevent the incident, (understand that we can support you and help to document incidents )

 Protection of privacy,  As asessment of the children in your homes based on the allegations of the report,  A fair and understanding investigator,  An investigator that is going to protect the victim.  An investigator that is going to support the driver if cleared.

Steps to help prevent a report Treat the children the way you want to be treated, Be honest and consistent, Say what you mean, think before you speak, Work as a team, Agree on goals and consquences Establish and follow a routine,

Respect is a two way street, you have to earn it, Manners are universal, Define your role, Positive reinforcement, Actions have consequenes for them and for you, Acknowledge if you are in over your head, Report situations when they happen, Reports peers that don’t do their job, Report abuse,

Substance Abuse, Don’t hit, Bizarre Punishment, Withhold food or drink, In-humane treatment, Name Calling, Sexual abuse, This is not about you, but about the children.

Follow written and verbal operating procedures, Do not use cells phones in anyway, shape or form, Follow all Highway safety guidelines

 Contact Number   Questions  Vic Kruppenbacher