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Atlanta Public Schools

Atlanta Public Schools. Child Abuse School Social Work In-Service Janice Riley School Social Worker. RECENT HEADLINES. Cobb educators fired for failing to report suspected sex abuse. By Ty Tagami The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 3:21 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2012

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Atlanta Public Schools

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  1. Atlanta Public Schools Child Abuse School Social Work In-Service Janice Riley School Social Worker

  2. RECENT HEADLINES

  3. Cobb educators fired for failing to report suspected sex abuse By Ty Tagami The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 3:21 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2012 A delay cost a Cobb County school principal and counselor their jobs. The school board voted Wednesday to fire Xxxxx Xxxxx, who was principal at Tapp Middle School in Powder Springs, and counselor Xxxxx Xxxxxxx.

  4. Attorney seeks charges in Fulton County school abuse case Posted: Apr 25, 2012 11:34 PM EDT Updated: May 23, 2012 11:34 PM EDT Mike Paluska ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) - For more than a year, CBS Atlanta News has been asking tough questions about abuse in the Fulton County School District.  Now the attorney for some of the special education children that were beaten and in some cases tied up wants those responsible prosecuted criminally.

  5. Cobb sex abuse report misdirected By Daarel Burnette II The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 6:02 a.m. Tuesday, July 17, 2012 When a Kell High School student approached the school's counselor to report repeated sexual advances from her teacher last spring, it took school officials four days to inform state child welfare officials about the allegations of abuse.

  6. Fulton Schools policy led tip in abuse case Friday, March 9, 2012 By D. Aileen DoddThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution The recent arrest of a Fulton County Schools' special education teacher accused of abusing students in her care was the result of the district's beefed up policy to curb the mistreatment of children, officials said Friday.

  7. School officials' paranoia grows over child abuse report deadline. By Lindsay Field The Marietta Daily Journal June 28, 2012 MARIETTA — The state law requiring school employees to report any suspected abuse of a child within 24 hours is not new. But two Cobb County principals — now ex-principals — and a former counselor are facing criminal charges of failing to report suspected abuse.

  8. Third parent claims Fulton County Schools covered up abuse Posted: Aug 19, 2011 10:54 AM EDT Updated: Sep 16, 2011 11:07 AM EDT By Jeff Chirico ALPHARETTA, GA (CBS ATLANTA) A third parent has stepped forward claiming the Fulton County School System never told him his son had been abused by his special education teacher four years ago.

  9. Child Abuse Defined • Child abuse is defined as an injury or a pattern of injuries to a child, that is non-accidental. Child Abuse includes non-accidental physical injury, physical neglect, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. GA Code Section 19-7-5

  10. Reasons For Abuse Many people have difficulty understanding why a person would harm a child. Children are abused for many reasons as a result of a combination life stressors and complex issues. The following are examples of stressors which may lead to abuse, but not limited to these cited examples: • Stress • A crisis or series of crises • Lack of Parenting Knowledge and Skills • Substance Abuse • Trans-generational Violence

  11. Four Types of Abuse • Emotional Abuse • Verbal abuse or other maltreatment resulting in impaired psychological growth and in extreme cases, impaired physical development. • Physical Abuse • Is the visible and widely recognized form of child abuse (marks, lacerations, bruises, welts, scratches, burns unexplained fractures/dislocations, and unexplained spots.) • Physical Neglect • Is most often seen through hoarding food, poor hygiene, inappropriate dress, inadequate supervision, un-met medical needs, and frequent unexcused absences. • Sexual Abuse • Exploitation, trafficking, Pornographic Material, advance knowledge of sexual activity, difficulty standing, sitting, or walking, itching or rubbing of genitals and play behavior.

  12. Who’s Mandated to Report: • School Administrators • Teachers • Counselors • Nurses • Psychologists • Support Staff • Social Worker(school reporter) • Office Staff • Cafeteria Staff • Custodial Staff • Bus Drivers • Volunteers • Support agencies/staff working in the building

  13. Protocol • When abuse is suspected immediately notify the School Social Worker, Principal or Designee • The person suspecting abuse should complete a written Social Work referral form and obtain the required signature from the Principal or Designee. • The Principal or Designee should immediately contact the Social Worker. (If the Social Worker cannot be reached, the School Social Work Coordinator’s office should be contacted immediately.)

  14. Do’s and Don’t: • Do • Be aware of unusual marks or behaviors • Be an advocate for children by reporting • Inform the student that you must notify the Principal • Continue to treat the student as you normally would • Exercise confidentiality • Don’t • Conduct an in-depth investigation • Attempt to contact the parent or guardians • Use your own value system as the determining factor for reporting • Be afraid to follow your instincts

  15. Atlanta Board of Education Policies • No employee shall use corporal punishment for any reason. • Physical force may “ONLY” be used when it is an alternative to a greater harm. • Any use of physical force should be reported to the Principal immediately

  16. Atlanta Public Schools Data 2011-2012 Child Abuse Cases: 418 2010-2011 Child Abuse Cases: 500

  17. Prevent Child Abuse

  18. SO WHY ? • RELATIONSHIPS • PRIORITIES • STUDENT’S CREDIBILITY

  19. Suicidal Thoughts, Threats or Gestures • Suicide is the 3rd most common cause of death among youth 10-24 years old. • Of reported suicides among 10 to 24 age group, 83% of the deaths were males and 17% were females. However, girls are more likely to report attempting suicide than boys. • The top three methods of suicide among young people include firearm (46%), suffocation (39%), and poisoning (8%) • 15% of students in the grades 9-12 reported seriously considering suicide, 11% reported creating a plan, and 7% reported trying to take their own life in the 12 months preceding the survey. Suicide in Georgia State and County Statistics(2005) and Suicide Prevention (2008)

  20. What to LISTEN and Look for Verbal: • “I wish I were dead” • “I won’t be around much longer.” • “If (such and such) does or doesn’t happen, I’ll kill myself.” • “I’m going to end it all.” • “Who cares if I’m dead anyway.” Behavioral & Situational: • Increased apathy • Increased risk taking or self destructive behaviors • Sudden decline or improvement in academic performance • Recent disappointment or rejections • Death of friend or family member, especially if by suicide

  21. Procedure for Reporting • Report any threats of self-harm, observations or concerns to the School Social Worker, Administrator or Designee immediately. • Keep all information about the child private (don’t talk about it with other teachers) • The School Social Worker or Administrator will talk with the child, notify the parent, and make appropriate referrals.(A Social Worker referral form should be completed) • The Social Worker will meet with the child and conference with the parent(s) in addition to providing counseling resources. • During the 2010-2011 school year school social workers received 539 cases regarding emotional issues including suicidal ideation.

  22. Homelessness More than 58,397 of Georgia’s children experience homelessness each year. Ages of Homeless Children in Georgia • Under 6 years 24, 527 • Grades K-8 (enrolled) 26, 329 • Grades 9-12 (enrolled) 7, 541 National Center on Family Homelessness (2009) • 2011-2012 Homeless students enrolled in Atlanta Public Schools: 2108

  23. McKinney Vento Act (1987) Under the McKinney Vento Act homelessness is defined as families or children residing in: • Substandard housing (no water or electricity) • Emergency shelters (domestic violence, homeless or youth) • Hotels • Transitional housing program or • Doubled up with friends or relatives

  24. McKinney Vento Provisions The McKinney Vento Act protects the educational rights of homeless children. Students who are homeless can: • Attend school of origin or school zoned for attendance area • Enroll in school without required documents* Students are also eligible for: • Free Lunch • Assistance with after school/tutorial program, school supplies and transportation • Paid Graduation Fees/Dues when funds are available

  25. Questions and Answers

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