What is Mandated Reporting? A report made to the Kansas Protection

1. What is Mandated Reporting? A report made to the Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC) when a child is suspected to have suffered physical neglect, physical injury, emotional injury or from a sexual act inflicted upon him or her.

2. What is Mandated Reporting? - A report is a request for an assessment into the child's condition. - Reports need to be made even if another mandated reporter has reported the suspected incident (K.S.A. 38-2223: “It is not a defense that another mandated reporter made a report.”) - Anonymous reports can be made but DCF will not be able to document that the mandated reporter made the report in order to avoid a failure to report charge. - Failure to make a report is a Class B Misdemeanor ($1,000 fine or up to 6 months in jail).

3. What is Mandated Reporting? - You do not need to know all the facts of the situation to make a report. A reporter only needs to have a suspicion that abuse or neglect has occurred. - The law does not require you provide proof that the abuse or neglect occurred or that you actually witnessed the suspected event. - You do not have to make a final determination of whether or not the abuse or neglect occurred.

4. Who is a Mandated Reporter? Mandated reporters are required to report child abuse or neglect under the Kansas reporting law (K.S.A. 38-2223). Example: Teachers, school administrators or other employees of an educational institution where the child is attending.

5. Individuals You May Have to Report: ANYBODY!

6. Could be your neighbor, a family member, a co-worker, a friend, etc. As mandated reporters, we are required to make a report if we suspect abuse or neglect. Kansas law provides immunity from liablility for reporters of abuse. Any local policies or procedures an employer may have do not supersede a mandated reporters statutory requirement to report.

7. Reason to Suspect “Reason to suspect” means anytime anyone believes or has a hint, or a clue, a child is, or has been a victim of abuse or neglect. A reporter may have “reason to suspect” when there is a discrepant or inconsistent history in explaining a child's injury. Example: A parent or caregiver of a child describes the injury as accidental, but bruises are on multiple areas of the body and in various stages of healing.

8. What should you do if you suspect that you have to make a report? 1. Get your facts together and write down the information you have. - Name, address, phone number, birth date and social security number for the child, child's parents or legally responsible adult. - Child's gender and race. - Name of school and school district number. (can usually get all this info from WEBKIDSS). - Name, address, phone number of alleged perpetrator. - Location of alleged incident. 2. Notify your immediate supervisor/teacher.

9. How should reports be made? Phone: Statewide number: 1-800-922-5330. Fax: KSPRC (Kansas Protection Report Center) 1-866-317-4279 Email: KSPRC@dcf.ks.gov Mail: Kansas Protection Report Center Docking State Office Building 915 SW Harrison, 5th floor Topeka, KS 66612 On-Line Web Intake: Internet Explorer is supported browser. Also Safari can be used also. Google Chrome is not recommended.

10. Tips for Mandated Reporters: - You do not need to know all the facts of the situation to make a report. A reporter only needs to have a suspicion that abuse or neglect has occurred. - It is important to gather enough information to make a report, but be careful not to ask too many questions.

11. Tips for Mandated Reporters: - Asking questions with too much detail can potentially alter facts of the case unintentionally. - Leave it to the professions that are trained to interview children. - It is not your responsibility to investigate but to report what was told to you to insure the child’s safety. There are others who get paid to do investigations.

12. Possible Physical Indicators of Physical Abuse • Bruises, welts or bite marks not common for age and activity level of child • Head trauma (black eyes, split lips, lumps on head, facial bruises or bruising behind the ear) • Burns • Fractures or scars • Lacerations, abrasions or unusual bleeding

13. When determining whether or not physical abuse has occurred, ask: Is the explanation consistent with the physical evidence? Are there any other physical or behavioral Indicators? Are there apparent family or environmental factors?

14. When observing the injury that you suspect might be abuse, consider: Where is the injury? How many injuries does the child have? What are the size and shape of the injuries? Does the description of how the injury occurred seem likely? Is the injury consistent with the child's developmental capabilities?

15. Possible Physical Indicators of Neglect: • Constant hunger • Lack of adequate clothing and good hygiene • Lack of medical or dental care • Physical and speech delays • Clothing consistently not adequate for weather conditions (ex: shorts, short sleeves and no coat in winter)

16. Possible Physical Indicators of Emotional Abuse: Changes in behavior, personality or appearance Sleep problems, nightmares Biting, rocking, head-banging or thumb sucking (older children) Substance abuse Cutting Fire starting Sudden grade changes

17. When considering whether or not emotional abuse is occurring, ask: Do the interactions between the adult and the child seem to be primarily negative? Are specific instances of emotional abuse or maltreatment frequently observed?

18. Possible Behavioral Indicators of Sexual Abuse: Seductive behavior, advance sexual knowledge for the child's age. Expressing fear of a particular person or place. Excessive masturbation, precocious sex play, excessive curiosity about sex. Poor peer relationships. Extreme fear of being touched

19. To download a free guide go to: http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/PPS/Documents/GuidetoReportingAbuseandNeglect.pdf To order a FREE reporting guide(s): Kansas Children’s Service League 1365 N. Custer • Wichita, KS 67203 (316) 942-4261 • (877) 530-5275 Ask for Samantha