POUGHKEEPSIE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORTING PROCESS FOR CHILD ABUSE IN THE DOMESTIC AND EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS JUNE 2009

MANDATED REPORTERS ALL PROFESSIONALLY LICENSED EMPLOYEES ARE MANDATED REPORTERS AND MUST REPORT INCIDENTS OF SUSPECTED ABUSE TO THE BUILDING PRINCIPAL AND CPS. ALL OTHER EMPLOYEES MUST REPORT INCIDENTS OF SUSPECTED ABUSE TO THE BUILDING PRINCIPAL. NEITHER THE PRINCIPAL NOR THE MANDATED REPORTER SHALL CONDUCT INVESTATIGATIONS.

MANDATED REPORTING 1. CALL STATEWIDE CENTRAL REGISTRATION FOR CHILD ABUSE ( ) AND COOPERATE WITH CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKERS. 2. RECEIVE A CALL ID NUMBER FOR RETENTION IN SCHOOL DISTRICT RECORDS AND A PERSONAL COPY. 3. FILE A REPORT ON FORM LDSS 2221-A WITH LOCAL CPS AND THE STATEWIDE REGISTRY OF CHILD ABUSE AND MALTREATEMENT WITHIN 48 HOURS OF INITIAL CALL.

MANDATED REPORTING ALL REPORTS ARE TO BE FORWARDED BY THE BUILDING PRINCIPAL TO THE SUPERINTENDENT’S OFFICE, BY FAX, WITH A COPY SENT TO THE PPS OFFICE BY FAX. THE DISTRICT MAY DISCLOSE PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION TO CPS AND WILL NOT BE IN VIOLATION OF FERPA IF THE CLAIM IS OF SERIOUS THREAT TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE STUDENT OR OTHERS.

MANDATED REPORTING A SCHOOL OFFICIAL MUST BE PRESENT DURING CPS INTERVIEW OF CHILD UNLESS CPS DEEMS THAT IT IS NOT NECESSARY. THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN SHOULD NOT BE CONTACTED IN ADVANCE OF OR DURING THE INTERVIEW. A PEACE OFFICER, POLICE OFFICER, LAW ENFORCMENT OFFICIAL, AGENT OF CPS OR DSS MAY TAKE A CHILD INTO PROTECTIVE CUSTODY. YOU MAY NEVER TAKE A CHILD INTO PROTECTIVE CUSTODY.

MANDATED REPORTING ANY PERSON ACTING IN GOOD FAITH IN MAKING A REPORT OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE SHALL HAVE IMMUNITY. FAILURE TO REPORT IS A MISDEMEANOR. ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY OR WILLFULLY FAILS TO MAKE SUCH A REPIORT SHALL ALSO BE LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGES CAUSED BY SUCH FAILURE.

MANDATED REPORTING TYPES OF ABUSE: EDUCATIONAL SETTING BY AN EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER. INCLUDES: BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. VEHICLES PROVIDED BY THE DISTRICT FOR TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS TO AND FROM SCHOOL SPONSORED EVENTS ANY OTHER LOCATION WHERE CONTACT BETWEEN DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS AND CHILDREN OCCURE. OUTSIDE OF THE EDUCATIONAL SETTING

CHILD ABUSE IN AN EDUCATONAL SETTING INTENTIONAL OR RECKLESS INFLICTION OF PHYSICAL INJURY, SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH INTENTIONAL OR RECKLESS CONDUCT WHICH CREATES A RISK OF SUBSTANTIAL INJURY CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE DISSEMINATION OF INDECENT MATERIALS

MANDATED REPORTING POUGHKEEPSIE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT PROCESS WILL BE POSTED ON PPS WEB SITE COPIES OF LDSS 2221-A FORM SHOULD BE SENT TO SUPERINTENDENT AND PPS, COPY IS ON PPS WEBSITE STATE AND LOCAL CPS NUMBERS ON PPS WEBSITE SUPERINTENDENT’S OFFICE FILES COMMISSIONERS REPORT FOR CHILD ABUSE BY AN EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER WITH COPY DELIVERED TO BUILDING PRINCIPAL.

MANDATED REPORTING THE SUPERINTENDENT OR HIS DESIGNEE WILL INFORM THE PARENT AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WHEN AN ALLEGATION HAS BEEN MADE OF ABUSE BY A DISTRICT EMPLOYEE OR VOLUNTEER.