California Mandated Reporter Training

1. California Mandated Reporter Training

2. Objectives of MandatedReporter Training Who are mandated reporters? What does child maltreatment look like? When and how do I make a report? What happens after a report is made?

3. Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA)

4. Child Welfare Dynamic Report2013 http://cssr.berkeley.edu/ucb_childwelfare

5. Child Welfare Dynamic Report2013

6. Child Welfare Dynamic Report2013

7. Who Are Mandated Reporters? Mandated reporters are individuals who are mandated by law to report known or suspected instances of child maltreatment They are primarily people who have regular contact with children through their employment

8. Who Are Mandated Reporters? Over 40 categories are listed in CANRA (P.C. 11165.7) and include

9. Deciding When to Report • When one "has knowledge of or observes a child in his or her professional capacity, or within the scope of his or her employment whom he or she knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse or neglect..." (P.C. 11166 a) • If you suspect, REPORT!!!! • Proof of abuse is notrequired; that will be determined through investigation by the child welfare professionals or law enforcement

10. Failure to Report

11. Confidentiality

12. Immunity

13. Defining Child Abuse and Neglect Under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA) when the victim is a child (anyone under the age of 18) and the perpetrator is any person (including a child) the following types of abuse must be reported: • Physical Abuse • Neglect • Sexual Abuse • Emotional Abuse

14. Physical Abuse

15. Physical Abuse Indicators • Any injury with an improbable explanation or with a delay in seeking treatment • Bruises in various stages of healing A statement by the child that the injury was caused by abuse Location of bruises: Cheeks, ears, neck, back, buttocks, genitals • Bite marks, burns • Injuries that are patterned or have distinct outlines • Any injury in an infant

16. Motor Development • Developmental abilities of a child should be considered when evaluating injuries • If a child is unable to roll over or crawl, they are unlikely to have sustained an injury on their own

18. Ear Bruise

19. Patterned Bruising

20. Grab Marks

21. Distinct outline

22. Neglect Negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by a person responsible for child’s welfare. Includes- Acts and Omissions The neglect either causes harm or threatens to harm the child’s health or welfare.

23. Severe Neglect: Intentional failure of caregiver to provide food, clothing, shelter, or medical care, or to protect the child from severe malnutrition; caregiver willfully causes or permits child’s health to be endangered. General Neglect: Failure of caregiver to provide food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision where no physical injury has occurred. Medical Neglect: Failure of caregiver to provide appropriate medical care, dental care. (Exception for religious considerations) Emotional Neglect: Not interacting with an infant or child

24. Neglect Indicators • Child’s description of living situation Begging/stealing food Inappropriatedress Poor hygiene Early arrival/late departure Unattended physical/medical problems Delinquent behaviors Always hungry Lack of supervision Always tired/fatigued

25. Neglect Indicators • Indicators should be evaluated in the context of the family’s culture, values, and economic situation.

26. Child Sexual Abuse Per CANRA, Child Sexual Abuse includes: Sexual Assault Sexual Exploitation

27. Sexual Assault

28. Sexual Exploitation

29. Sexual Abuse Indicators • Disclosure of Sexual Abuse by the Child • Inappropriate sexual behavior with peers • Sexual behavior and/or knowledge beyond developmental expectations

30. Sexual Abuse - Disclosure

31. Why is it so hard to tell? • Fear • Of perpetrator • Of being believed (consequences of disclosure) • Of not being believed • Shame • Revealing the secret • Sex is shameful/embarrassing subject • This hasn’t happened to anyone else • Guilt • Feel complicit in the abuse • Why didn’t you tell sooner/ run away/scream/make it stop??

32. Emotional Abuse

33. Emotional Abuse

34. Risk Factors Red Flags

35. Cultural Considerations

36. Cultural Considerations • Keep in mind cultural influences when assessing information or behavior. • Educate individuals/families from other cultures regarding American cultural expectations and practices. • However, if the practice falls within the legal definitions of child abuse, it must be reported.

37. Concerning Behaviors/Red Flags • Anxious, hyperactive • Withdrawn, depressed • Self-harming behaviors • Low self-esteem • Aggressive behavior • Use of alcohol or other drugs/other delinquent behaviors • Wariness of adults; fear of parents or of going home • Inappropriate clothing (though be aware that this may be a cultural issue as well)

38. When Abuse is Suspected • Talking with children • Conduct the discussion in private • Sit on same level with child • Use language that the child understands • Allow the child to tell you of their experience in their own words; avoid asking leading or suggestive questions • Explore concerns to see if report is warranted- do not investigate!

39. When Abuse is Suspected • If a child discloses abuse • Control your emotional response, remain calm • Do not express shock, disapproval or disgust regarding the child, parent or disclosure • Be aware that the child may not show any particular emotion • Provide appropriate reassurance • Let the child know what you will do as a result of the disclosure, explaining who you will tell and why.

40. When Abuse is Suspected • What (if anything) should you tell parents? • Things to consider • May increase risk to child • May interfere with investigation • Your ability to deal with reaction of parent(s)

41. Calling the Child Abuse Hotline

42. Who Files the Report? • Responsibility rests solely with the Mandated Reporter • Reporting to an employer, supervisor, coworker, or other person is NOT adequate • When two or more mandated reporters jointly have knowledge of suspected child abuse or neglect, a single report may be made • Any member of the reporting team who has knowledge that the designated person has failed to report must do so.

43. By Phone… • Immediately (or as soon as practically possible) call your local CWS Hotline • Suspicions of child abuse/neglect should be reported to Child Welfare Services, who will cross-report to the appropriate LE agency • Law Enforcement (Police or Sheriff) may be contacted if there is immediate danger • Other law enforcement persons, such as school security, are not authorized to receive child abuse reports

44. …Then in Writing • Within 36 hours a written report must be sent to the child protective or law enforcement agency to which the telephone report was made • Must be filed on Department of Justice Form 8572 known as the Suspected Child Abuse Report (SCAR) • This form is available through county welfare departments and local law enforcement agencies • Forms and instructions also available online at http://ag.ca.gov/childabuse/pdf/ss_8572.pdf

45. 8572 Reporting Party’s information • Name • Date • Address • Phone

46. 8572 • Information of person taking report • Name • Phone • Title • Address • Date

47. 8572 • Victim’s Information • Name • DOB • Address • School • Present location • Language

48. 8572 • Involved Parties • Siblings • Parents • Suspect

49. 8572 • Incident Information • When and Where did the abuse occur? • What happened?

50. What Happens After a Report is Made?