Division of Family Services and Schools Collaboration Training

What is the law that addresses Child Abuse?

On June 28,1976, the law regarding child abuse and neglect went into effect. The law defined child abuse and neglect, and described the responsibilities of the child protection agency.

The statute was amended almost in its entirety by the Child Abuse Prevention Act of 1997

How does the law define child abuse?

“Abuse shall mean any physical injury to a child by those responsible for the care, custody and control of the child, through unjustified force, emotional abuse, torture, criminally negligent treatment, sexual abuse, exploitation, maltreatment, or mistreatment

What does “unjustified force” mean?

Parents/Custodians have the right and obligation to discipline their children. The discipline is for the purpose of safe guarding and promoting the welfare of the child, and is intended to benefit the child

The force is not justified if it includes, but not limited to, any of the following:

Throwing the child, kicking, burning, cutting, striking with a closed fist, interfering with breathing, use of, or threatened use of a deadly weapon, prolonged deprivation of sustenance or medication, or doing any act that is likely to cause or does cause physical injury, disfigurement, mental distress, unnecessary degradation or substantial risk of physical injury or death

What is “neglect”?

“Neglect” shall mean the failure to provide, by those responsible for the care, custody and control of the child, the proper or necessary: education as required by law; nutrition, medical/surgical, or any other care necessary for the child’s well being

How does the Division of Family Services hear about abused children?

Any physician, and any other person in the healing arts including any person licensed to render services in medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, any intern, resident, nurse, school employee, social worker, psychologist, medical examiner or any other person who knows or reasonably suspects child abuse or neglect shall call DFS

The above practitioners are called mandatory reporters

How do you make a report?

If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, you will call the DFS hotline number:

1-800-292-9582 The hotline is covered by DFS social workers

24/7 to ensure timely interventions for endangered children

What information will the hotline need?

When you make the call, please have the child’s name, date of birth, address, parent contact information, such as work numbers or place of employment and home phones

Be as concrete and descriptive as possible: location of the injuries, behaviors or appearances that raise concerns

Current location of the child Any information on the parent’s behaviors as they

have interacted with you Any knowledge of parental violence, drug/alcohol

abuse, mental illness, or domestic violence

Will my name be given out to the family?

Anyone acting in good faith, who reasonably believes a child is being abused or neglected is protected under the law. Reporters shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal.

It is Division policy to NOT DISCLOSE the name of the reporter.

Reports can be made anonymously

What signs or symptoms should I look for?

Physical injuries might be bruises or welts on the face, torso, buttocks, thighs or back. The marks may be in the shape of an object, such as a hand print or belt mark. They may be in various stages of healing

Fractures or dislocations which are unexplained Burns on the palms, soles of the feet that may reflect a

pattern of cigarette burns Cuts, bite marks, pinch marks, bald patches Marks around a child’s neck, wrists or ankles that may

indicated they were tied up or choked

Behavioral Indicators

Child who is overly shy and avoids contacts with adults Afraid to go home or requests to stay at school Reports injuries from parents Cries excessively, easily agitated, or sits and stares Flinches when touched Gives unbelievable explanations for injuries Overly aggressive Complains of pain while sitting or playing Soils under wear Fascination with fire Inappropriate touching or sexualized play

Physical Symptoms of Neglect

Height and weight significantly below normal for their age

Inappropriate or chronically dirty or ill fitting clothes/shoes

Poor hygiene, body odor, lice, scaly skin, un-brushed teeth

Lack of medical care and untreated illness, including chronic failure to get needed Rx to the school

Lack of shelter, heat, water, sanitary living conditions Children left unsupervised or left with inappropriate

substitute care giver

Behavioral Indicators of Neglect

Falling asleep in schoolPoor attendance or chronic tardinessChronic hunger, begging/stealing foodRunning away from homeExcessive emotional needinessLack of interest in trying new tasksAssumes adult responsibilities

Impacts of Abuse on developmental milestones

Children who live with chronic abuse/neglect are often significantly delayed in one or more developmental domains

Abused/Neglected children often develop coping strategies to deal with their home life that are socially unacceptable: aggression, stealing, lying, yelling, tantrums, inattentive, lack of social skills, inability to follow directions, unable to play cooperatively

Abuse and Neglect and PTSD

Children who live with violent or unpredictable parents often show signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Their reactions to events or comments may be way out of proportion, for example, to a mild reprimand the abused child might start screaming or shaking or run out of the room

“What is going on in their families that they would show these symptoms?”

Parenting Practices of DFS Clients

Reactive and arbitrary consequences for misbehaviors that are inconsistently applied

No daily routine Behavioral expectations are inferred rather

than explained to the child Little understanding of actions leading to

consequences Feel justified in their behaviors Blame the child “They made me do it” No patience

Common Characteristics of a DFS Parent

Socially isolated: few family members or friends

Drug and/or alcohol involvedDomestic ViolenceSelf focused rather than child focusedEmotional immaturityLittle if any emotional controlMentally ill

“As a teacher, will I ever be contacted by DFS?”

During the course of working with a family, the DFS worker needs to collect information about the family from other professionals. As the child’s teacher, you have a greater opportunity to notice developmental issues or delays, and/or on going issues of concern. This is information the worker will solicit from you either by phone or a faxed questionnaire. Please share freely with the worker and respond promptly.

If the family is working with a DFS worker, the worker will have permission from the family to gather information from you, but the issues the family is working with can not be disclosed to you.

For More Information

Further information about DFS, child abuse and the Department for Children, Youth and Their Families can be found at:

www.state.de.us/kids/information/school.shtml