The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has released a new publication to help educators understand their responsibilities in eliminating child abuse and neglect. The booklet will also serve as a tool for schools and county governments to enhance their collaboration in this area.
You can view the entire booklet in PDF format here:
School's Role In Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect ◄
Here are the items covered in the Booklet:
What are the different forms of child maltreatment?
Is a self-inflicted injury (e.g., cutting or threatened suicide by a minor) considered abuse?
If parents keep their child home from school or don’t support the child’s school attendance, is that considered neglect under Ch. 48?
If a parent chooses not to give his/her child prescribed medication, is that considered medical neglect under Ch. 48?
Who is required to report suspected child abuse or neglect?
When is a person required to report?
What constitutes being “threatened with abuse or neglect?”
How can a person determine if a report for abuse or neglect needs to be made?
Should a report for suspected child maltreatment be made based upon second-hand information?
Are there any guidelines for how to talk to a child when abuse or neglect may be suspected?
May a mandated reporter consult with someone else prior to making a report for suspected abuse or neglect?
If more than one educator is involved, who should make the report?
May a school establish a procedure that expects educators to notify the building principal or other school district official when a report for suspected abuse or neglect is being made?
Throughout this document the terms "child maltreatment" and "child abuse or neglect" have the same meaning and are used interchangeably. For the purposes of this publication, an “educator” is a DPI-certified professional working in a school.
What arrangements should the school make to cooperate with the Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation? Are reports handled differently when the suspected perpetrator is not a caregiver?
What are the possible outcomes of an investigation of suspected child abuse or neglect?
Why doesn’t the Child Protective Services agency remove all abused or neglected children from their homes?
May schools share pupil records as part of a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation?
What kind of information can schools and child welfare agencies share about children and youth with whom both systems are working?
What should an educator do if a parent confronts her/him about a report for suspected abuse or neglect?
Do schools have a role in the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect?
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DPI states:
"Educators see and work with school-age children on a daily basis during the school week throughout the school year. This reality puts these professionals “on the front lines” of identifying possible child maltreatment."
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It was reported to me today, by a representative of FPS, that our District DOES meet the "mandated" guidelines set by the State. "Professional Staff" is educated at the beginning of the school year regarding these mandates.
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Were you, as a parent, aware that in our schools educators HAVE A STATE MANDATED responsibility to report suspected child abuse and neglect?
Why I am "somewhat unglued" ....
The FPS representative I spoke with was not aware of the booklet in this article, nor aware of the way I was able to receive the information (which I received yesterday). I forwarded the information on to the FPS staff member. This representative was very helpful in providing any answers to questions I had.
This is the second time an FPS staff member (the other being the Food Service Manager) was not aware of a very informative way to receive Wisconsin DPI information. I blame this on FPS District Office Administration.
Why I am concerned ....
Who is required to report suspected child abuse or neglect?
I was told that in Franklin Public School District only Professional Staff is required to follow this mandate. That DOES follow the guidelines. But the following is tacked on to the guidelines:
"School districts, through their local policies, may choose to extend the expectation to report suspected abuse to all employees (e.g., bus drivers, custodians, secretaries, teacher aides.)"
I only mentioned the "secretaries," as an example, since in some schools, they are often first in line when it comes to seeing a sick child and administering medications, etc. I was told that only "professional staff" is trained regarding child abuse. I think this is an oversight on the part of the District and is very sad. Obviously the District doesn't value the insight of those employees who spend quite a bit of one-on-one time with the children. Much more time than people realize.
A teacher is with the class as a whole. An aide is more individualized with the student. A bus driver often witnesses a student interact with a parent. Custodians often have good relationships with students. A school office secretary is sometimes the person who holds the school together and has contact with a student and the parent.
I think this needs to be reevaluated.
After you have read the Publication, I'd be interested to hear YOUR thoughts.
