8462 - CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

As an agency of the State, the School Board is concerned with the physical and mental well-being of the children of this School Corporation and will cooperate in the identification and reporting of cases of suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with the law.

Each staff member employed by this Corporation shall be responsible for reporting immediately every case, whether ascertained or suspected, of abuse, abandonment, cruelty, or neglect resulting in physical or mental injury to a student by other than accidental means. If a staff member has reason to believe a child is a victim of abuse or neglect, s/he shall immediately make a report to the Department of Child Services ('DCS') by calling the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-800-5556 and the appropriate local law enforcement agency. After making the report, the staff member shall notify the appropriate building administrator of the circumstances that led to the report that the staff member made to DCS or the police. The building administrator shall document the report and, if unable to confirm the date and time it was made and/or the identity of the person to whom the report was made, shall contact DCS to ensure that they have received the report and an investigation has begun.

The building administrator shall secure prompt medical attention for any such injuries reported.

Information concerning alleged abuse or neglect of a student is confidential information and is not to be shared with anyone other than the administration, DCS, the local prosecutor.  The Board requires that each Corporation employee who is likely to have direct, ongoing contact with children within the scope of his/her employment attend or participate in training on child abuse and neglect, including

1. training on the duty to report suspected child abuse or neglect under I.C. 31-33-5; and

2. training on recognizing possible signs of child abuse or neglect

at least once every two (2) years. This training may include:

1. an in-person presentation;
    
2. an electronic or technology-based medium, including self-review modules available on an online system;
    
3. an individual program of study of designated materials.

The training required by this policy shall count toward the Board’s requirements for professional development and be provided during the Corporation employee’s contracted day or at a time chosen by the employee.

Also, the Board requires each Corporation employee who is likely to have direct, ongoing contact with children within the scope of the employee’s employment to attend or participate in at least one (1) hour of training at least every two (2) years on the identification and reporting of human trafficking.  The format of this training may include:

1. an in-person presentation;
    
2. an electronic or technology-based medium, including self-review modules available on an online system;
    
3. an individual program of study of designated materials.

This training shall count toward the requirements for professional development required by the Board.

Annually, the Corporation shall provide age-appropriate and research and evidence-based instruction on child abuse and child sexual abuse to students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. This instruction may be delivered by a school safety specialist, school counselor, school social worker, school psychologist, or any person with training and expertise in the area of child abuse and child sexual abuse.

A staff member who violates this policy in any way may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Revised 12/20/18
Revised 5/21/20

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