A Basic Approach to Child Safety

1. Chapter 4 • Mandated Reporting Law A Basic Approach to Child Safety Successful Solutions Professional Development LLC

2. A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter Topics As child care providers, you must report suspected child abuse, neglect, or exploitation to Child Protective Services (CPS) or your local law enforcement agency immediately. This module will also help participants create safe environments and plan for emergencies.

3. Child Abuse A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws The law states that when any licensed child care provider and/or employee suspects that a child has suffered abuse or neglect, they must report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency or to CPS within 48 hours. ALL CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ARE MANDATED REPORTERS. YOU ARE A MANDATED REPORTER

4. Child Abuse A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws The law states that when any licensed child care provider and/or employee suspects that a child has suffered abuse or neglect, they must report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency or to CPS. Child care providers are in a unique position to recognize abusive situations in the early stages and to take actions that can end the abuse of children. INJURIES OR BRUISES MAY NOT BE ACCIDENTAL YOU MUST CONTACT CPS IF YOU SEE SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL OR SEXUAL ABUSE OR PHYSICAL NEGLECT

5. Child Abuse A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws Even if you have previously made a report to CPS about a particular child, you must report each new injury or incident. The phone number for CPS should be among the emergency numbers posted by each telephone in the center.

6. Child Abuse A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws Caregivers are not required to tell the parents they are making a report. However, they must inform parents in their parent policy handbook that they are mandated reporters and that they will report any suspicion of child abuse. Caregivers should not attempt to interview the child or attempt to manage the situation themselves.

7. Child Abuse A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws Both interviewing and investigating are the responsibility of CPS. The pamphlet Child Day Care and CPS, DSHS 22-163(X), outlines indicators of physical abuse and neglect, emotional abuse and neglect, and sexual abuse. The licensor can supply you with a copy of the pamphlet which offers more detailed information. Calling CPS does not mean CPS will actually investigate the family. A social worker screens incoming calls to determine if the case requires further investigation.

8. Child Abuse A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws This social worker can also answer any questions providers may have about how to respond to a certain situation. The CPS response is both child-focused and family-oriented. Their purpose is to safeguard the child while helping ease the circumstances and behavior patterns causing the abusive situation. IF CPS CONDUCTS AN INVESTIGATION, YOU MUST BE COOPERATIVE. CPS PERSONNEL HAVE THE RIGHT TO INTERVIEW CHILDREN IN THE CENTER WITH OR WITHOUT CAREGIVERS OR THE PARENTS PRESENT.

9. Child Abuse A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws The more caregivers know about abuse and reporting mandates, the more helpful they can be to the children and families with whom they work.

10. Reporting Laws in Washington A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws Child Abuse Reporting Law in Washington State RCW 26.44.020 - Definition of child abuse or neglect - Child abuse or neglect shall mean the injury, sexual abuse, or negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by any person under circumstances which indicate that the child's health, welfare and safety is harmed thereby. Negligent treatment or maltreatment shall mean an act or omission which evinces a serious disregard of consequences of such magnitude as to constitute a clear and present danger to the child's health, welfare, and safety.

11. Reporting Laws in Washington A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws Child Abuse Reporting Law in Washington State RCW 26.44.030Reports - Duty and authority to make - Duty of receiving agency - Duty to Notify - Case planning and consultation - Penalty for unauthorized exchange of information -Filing dependency petitions - Interviews of children - Records - Risk assessment tools and report to legislature on use.

12. Reporting Laws in Washington A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws Child Abuse Reporting Law in Washington State RCW 26.44.030 (1) When any practitioner, professional school personnel, registered or licensed nurse, social service counselor, psychologist, pharmacist, licensed or certified child care providers or their employees, employee of the department, or juvenile probation officer has reasonable cause to believe that a child or adult dependent or developmentally disabled person has suffered abuse or neglect, he or she shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency or to the department as provided in RCW 26.44.040.

13. Reporting Laws in Washington A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws Child Abuse Reporting Law in Washington State RCW 26.44.030 The report shall be made at the first opportunity, but in no case longer than forty-eight hours after there is reasonable cause to believe that the child or adult has suffered abuse or neglect. (2) Any other person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child or adult dependent or developmentally disabled person has suffered abuse or neglect may report such incident to the proper law enforcement agency or to the Department of Social and Health Services as provided in RCW 26.44.040

14. Reporting Laws in Washington A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws Child Abuse Reporting Law in Washington State Such reports shall contain the following information, if known: The name, address and age of the child or adult dependent or developmentally disabled person The name and address of the child's parents, step-parents, guardians, or other persons having custody of the child or the residence of the adult dependent or developmentally disabled person The nature and extent of the injury or injuries The nature and extent of the neglect

15. Reporting Laws in Washington A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws Child Abuse Reporting Law in Washington State Such reports shall contain the following information, if known: 5. The nature and extent of the sexual abuse Any evidence of previous injuries, including their nature and extent Any other information which may be helpful in establishing the cause of the child's or adult dependent or developmentally disabled person's death, injury, or injuries and the identity of the perpetrator or perpetrators

16. Reporting Laws in Washington A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws Child Abuse Reporting Law in Washington State RCW 26.44.060 Immunity from civil or criminal liability - Confidential communications not violated - Actions against state not affected - False report, penalty. (l) (a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, any person participating in good faith in the making of a report pursuant to this chapter or testifying as to alleged child abuse or neglect in a judicial proceeding shall in so doing be immune from any liability arising out of such reporting or testifying under any law of this state or its political subdivisions.

17. Reporting Laws in Washington A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws Mandatory Reporter's Video If you did not previously watch the video, take the time to watch it now.

18. Traditional Washington STARS In order to pass this training, this is what you must do: Passing the OnlinE STARS Training 1. Read course materials provided in the lessons 2. Sufficiently complete all chapter assignments 3. Participate in Student Forum Discussion Board Assignments 4. Submit an evaluation form with a valid STARS ID number

19. A Basic Approach to Child Safety Chapter 4 Mandated Reporting Laws Click here to launch Chapter 4 Assessment 2