Transcript CMBC Mandated Reporter Training

Mandated Reporter
Training
March 2015
Family Resource & Counseling Centers, Inc.
Gap & Lancaster, PA
Remember the “why” of your service…
Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the
kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
I John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
I Peter 5:2
Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them--not
because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not
pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
Mandated Reporters vs. Permissive Reporters
• Mandated Reporters in the Church: paid, non-paid and voluntary
personnel who come in contact with children, [anyone who is “under the care,
supervision, guidance or training of [the mandated reporter] or of an agency, institution,
organization or other entity with which that person is affiliated.“ ] You must have
reasonable suspicion that the child under your care has experienced abuse,
and this can be second hand information (again, “reasonable suspicion.”)
Care, supervision, guidance, or
control of children or routine
interaction with children.
Unpaid role that acts as an integral part of a
regularly scheduled program, activity or service,
accepts responsibility for a child
Components:
• Identifiable child is under 18 years of age when abuse occurred.
• Perpetrator is 14 years old or older, could be a parent, responsible
caregiver (anyone providing care in lieu of parents,) or another individual
14 yrs. or older living in the home.
• Act or failure to act that can cause harm to child.
Abuse Definitions
•
•
•
•
•
Serious Physical Abuse
Serious Mental Injury
Sexual Abuse or Exploitation
Serious Physical Neglect
Imminent Risk
Definitions by the PA Family
Support Alliance, Trainers
for Dept. of Public Welfare
www.pa-fsa.org
Serious Physical Injury
• Recent (Occurred in past 2 years)
• Description: Recent, substantial pain, OR injury that
significantly impairs functioning, temporarily or permanently.
• Examples: Bruises, pattern marks, human bite marks, neck
rings, immersion burns, cigarette burns, bald spots, bruises in
various stages of healing (different colors)
Serious Mental Injury
• Occurred anytime before age 18, reportable up to age 20.
• Description: A psychological condition that is diagnosed by a physician or
psychologist that
• (1) Renders the child chronically and severely anxious, agitated,
depressed, socially withdrawn, psychotic, or in reasonable fear that
his/her safety is threatened, OR
• (2) Seriously interferes with the child’s ability to accomplish ageappropriate developmental and social tasks.
• Examples: Resulting Eating Disorder, Anxiety/Panic Disorder,
Depression
Sexual Abuse or Exploitation
• Occurring anytime before age 18, reportable up to age 20.
• The employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or
coercion of any child to engage in or assist any other person to
engage in any sexually explicit conduct or any stimulation of any
sexual explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual
depiction, incl. photography, videotaping, computer depicting or
filming, sexually explicit conduct, or the rape, sexual assault,
involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent
assault, molestation, incest, indecent exposure, prostitution, sexual
abuse, or sexual exploitation of children.
Sexual Abuse or Exploitation
• Examples: Child may have genital pain/injury, STD, suspicious
stains, bladder or urinary infections, painful toileting,
pregnancy. (These indicators you will likely NOT know.)
• Behavioral indicators will be more prevalent: Verbal
disclosure, precocious sexual knowledge, inappropriate
sexual behavior, withdrawn behavior.
Serious Physical Neglect
• Occurred any time before age 18, reportable up to age 20.
• Description: Physical condition that endangers the child’s
functioning, OR impairs the child’s functioning. It must arise from
prolonged or repeated lack of supervision, OR failure to provide
the essentials of life, including adequate medical care.
• Examples: Failure to thrive, delays in physical development,
persistent hunger, poor hygiene, speech disorders, consistent lack
of supervision, unattended physical problems or medical needs,
chronic truancy, abandonment, inappropriate dress.
Minimally Adequate Care
“Essentials Of Life”
• Food
• Shelter
• Clothing
• Supervision
• Medical Care
• Education (as
required
by
law)
• Protection from harm
Imminent Risk
• Occurred in the past 2 years.
• Description: Pertains to serious physical injury or sexual abuse and
exploitation. Recent act or failure to act on behalf of caregiver.
• Examples: Two year old walking down street alone.
• Happenstance: Road was recently closed for construction.
• Third Party Intervention: Passer-by sits with child while calling ChildLine.
• Actions of the Child: Child sits on ground, off road, & watches cars go by.
Child Welfare Services by Design:
Federal Government/Congress
Develops laws and provides
funding to states
State Legislature
NEW NAME:
Department
of Human
Services
State laws & funding
PA Department of Public Welfare
(DPW)
Implements state laws, distributes
funding, creates registry
ChildLine
Child Abuse Hotline, registry,
clearances, provides information to
county agencies
800-932-0313
DPW Regional Offices
County Government
Children & Youth Services Agencies
Provides protective services for children
General Protective Services
Child Protective Services
70% 0f PA Cases
30% of PA Cases
Form CY-47
Simulated Call
• Address reasonable suspicion. (You do not have to quote
definitions, or have all the information, although you must be
able to identify child.)
• Call ChildLine at 800-932-0313.
• Call will follow format of form. Give as much detail as possible.
• ChildLine staff will direct you to appropriate county agency.
(FAX or mail CY-47 form) Keep a confidential copy for church.
Process
Written report
forwarded within
48 hours
• ChildLine takes report (24/7.)
• Report forwarded to local CPS by both reporter and ChildLine.
• CPS investigate. An initial visit with child will occur within 24 hours, based
on safety. Risks are assessed. Custody determined, if needed.
• Most investigations are completed within 30 days, some may take up to
60 days. Some investigations may parallel police investigations.
• Case may be forwarded to court system. (CPS may remain involved.)
• Determination of case of case (outcome.)
Outcomes
• Unfounded: No evidence or insufficient evidence.
• Indicated: Substantiated through admission, medical
evidence, evidence collected in the investigation.
• Founded: Courts have determined that abuse
occurred.
Changes in Reporting
•
•
•
•
•
YOU make the call, not a church administrator.
Immediately call ChildLine, then notify supervisor/church
administrator.
Use CY-47 Form – forward to county agency within 48 hours.
Online reporting after January 1, 2015. (See an example at
lookoutforchildabuse.org)
Online reporting web site:
https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home (You
must set up an account in advance, uses sign-in and
password.)
More Changes
• Penalties increase for failing to report and for
noncompliance with clearance mandates.
• Right to receive report outcome (3 days post
investigation.)
• Regulation of clearances, every 36 months.
• Firmer regulations in regard to past criminal offenses.
CLEARANCES
EMPLOYEES
VOLUNTEERS
PA State Police
PA State Police
PA Child Abuse Clearance
PA Child Abuse Clearance
FBI
FBI – Only if volunteer has been a PA
resident for less than 10 continuous years.
Otherwise, volunteer must affirm in writing
that they are not disqualified based on a
conviction of an offense under
Provisional Employees - (90 days) Applicant produces proof of clearance applications;
Administrator has no knowledge that would disqualify person from employment; Applicant
swears or affirms (s)he is not disqualified for employment; If info obtained indicates
otherwise, applicant dismissed.
(30 days for out-of-state provisional volunteers)
***Provisionals are never alone with children***
Four things for volunteers to
remember:
• How to identify abuse (reasonable suspicion.)
• Call procedure (ChildLine) & church procedure.
• How to complete CY-47. (Copy for C&Y within 48
hours and confidential copy for church.)
• Importance of prompt clearance completion.
Thank you for serving!
Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the
kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
I John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
I Peter 5:2
Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them--not
because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not
pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;