Mandated Reporter Training

March 2015

Family Resource & Counseling Centers, Inc.

Gap & Lancaster, PA

Remember the “why” of your service…

Matthew 19:14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

I John 3:18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

I Peter 5:2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;

Mandated Reporters vs. Permissive Reporters

• Mandated Reporters in the Church: paid, non-paid and voluntary personnel who come in contact with children, [anyone who is “under the care, supervision, guidance or training of [the mandated reporter] or of an agency, institution, organization or other entity with which that person is affiliated.“ ] You must have reasonable suspicion that the child under your care has experienced abuse, and this can be second hand information (again, “reasonable suspicion.”)Care, supervision, guidance, or control of children or routine interaction with children.

Unpaid role that acts as an integral part of a regularly scheduled program, activity or service,accepts responsibility for a child

Components:

• Identifiable child is under 18 years of age when abuse occurred.

• Perpetrator is 14 years old or older, could be a parent, responsible caregiver (anyone providing care in lieu of parents,) or another individual 14 yrs. or older living in the home.

• Act or failure to act that can cause harm to child.

Abuse Definitions

• Serious Physical Abuse

• Serious Mental Injury

• Sexual Abuse or Exploitation

• Serious Physical Neglect

• Imminent Risk

Definitions by the PA FamilySupport Alliance, Trainersfor Dept. of Public Welfare

www.pa-fsa.org

Serious Physical Injury

• Recent (Occurred in past 2 years)

• Description: Recent, substantial pain, OR injury that significantly impairs functioning, temporarily or permanently.

• Examples: Bruises, pattern marks, human bite marks, neck rings, immersion burns, cigarette burns, bald spots, bruises in various stages of healing (different colors)

Serious Mental Injury

• Occurred anytime before age 18, reportable up to age 20.

• Description: A psychological condition that is diagnosed by a physician or psychologist that

• (1) Renders the child chronically and severely anxious, agitated, depressed, socially withdrawn, psychotic, or in reasonable fear that his/her safety is threatened, OR

• (2) Seriously interferes with the child’s ability to accomplish age-appropriate developmental and social tasks.

• Examples: Resulting Eating Disorder, Anxiety/Panic Disorder, Depression

Sexual Abuse or Exploitation

• Occurring anytime before age 18, reportable up to age 20.

• The employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in or assist any other person to engage in any sexually explicit conduct or any stimulation of any sexual explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depiction, incl. photography, videotaping, computer depicting or filming, sexually explicit conduct, or the rape, sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, molestation, incest, indecent exposure, prostitution, sexual abuse, or sexual exploitation of children.

Sexual Abuse or Exploitation

• Examples: Child may have genital pain/injury, STD, suspicious stains, bladder or urinary infections, painful toileting, pregnancy. (These indicators you will likely NOT know.)

• Behavioral indicators will be more prevalent: Verbal disclosure, precocious sexual knowledge, inappropriate sexual behavior, withdrawn behavior.

Serious Physical Neglect

• Occurred any time before age 18, reportable up to age 20.

• Description: Physical condition that endangers the child’s functioning, OR impairs the child’s functioning. It must arise from prolonged or repeated lack of supervision, OR failure to provide the essentials of life, including adequate medical care.

• Examples: Failure to thrive, delays in physical development, persistent hunger, poor hygiene, speech disorders, consistent lack of supervision, unattended physical problems or medical needs, chronic truancy, abandonment, inappropriate dress.

Minimally Adequate Care“Essentials Of Life”

• Food

• Clothing

• Medical Care

• Protection from harm

• Shelter

• Supervision

• Education (as required by law)

Imminent Risk

• Occurred in the past 2 years.

• Description: Pertains to serious physical injury or sexual abuse and exploitation. Recent act or failure to act on behalf of caregiver.

• Examples: Two year old walking down street alone.• Happenstance: Road was recently closed for construction.

• Third Party Intervention: Passer-by sits with child while calling ChildLine.

• Actions of the Child: Child sits on ground, off road, & watches cars go by.

Federal Government/CongressDevelops laws and provides

funding to states

State LegislatureState laws & funding

PA Department of Public Welfare (DPW)

Implements state laws, distributes funding, creates registry

ChildLine

Child Abuse Hotline, registry, clearances, provides information to

county agencies

DPW Regional Offices

County Government

Children & Youth Services AgenciesProvides protective services for children

General Protective Services

70% 0f PA Cases

Child Protective Services

30% of PA Cases

Child Welfare Services by Design:

800-932-0313

Form CY-47

NEW NAME:

Department of Human Services

Simulated Call

• Address reasonable suspicion. (You do not have to quote definitions, or have all the information, although you must be able to identify child.)

• Call ChildLine at 800-932-0313.

• Call will follow format of form. Give as much detail as possible.

• ChildLine staff will direct you to appropriate county agency. (FAX or mail CY-47 form) Keep a confidential copy for church.

Process

• ChildLine takes report (24/7.)

• Report forwarded to local CPS by both reporter and ChildLine.

• CPS investigate. An initial visit with child will occur within 24 hours, based on safety. Risks are assessed. Custody determined, if needed.

• Most investigations are completed within 30 days, some may take up to 60 days. Some investigations may parallel police investigations.

• Case may be forwarded to court system. (CPS may remain involved.)

• Determination of case of case (outcome.)

Written report forwarded within48 hours

Outcomes

• Unfounded: No evidence or insufficient evidence.

• Indicated: Substantiated through admission, medical evidence, evidence collected in the investigation.

• Founded: Courts have determined that abuse occurred.

Changes in Reporting

• YOU make the call, not a church administrator.• Immediately call ChildLine, then notify supervisor/church

administrator.• Use CY-47 Form – forward to county agency within 48

hours. • Online reporting after January 1, 2015. (See an example at

lookoutforchildabuse.org)• Online reporting web site:

https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home (You must set up an account in advance, uses sign-in and password.)

More Changes

• Penalties increase for failing to report and for noncompliance with clearance mandates.

• Right to receive report outcome (3 days post investigation.)

• Regulation of clearances, every 36 months.

• Firmer regulations in regard to past criminal offenses.

CLEARANCES EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEERS

PA State Police PA State Police

PA Child Abuse Clearance PA Child Abuse Clearance

FBI FBI – Only if volunteer has been a PA resident for less than 10 continuous years. Otherwise, volunteer must affirm in writing that they are not disqualified based on a conviction of an offense under Provisional Employees - (90 days) Applicant produces proof of

clearance applications; Administrator has no knowledge that would disqualify person from employment; Applicant swears or affirms (s)he is not disqualified for employment; If info obtained indicates otherwise, applicant dismissed. (30 days for out-of-state provisional volunteers) ***Provisionals are never alone with children***

Four things for volunteers to remember:

• How to identify abuse (reasonable suspicion.)

• Call procedure (ChildLine) & church procedure.

• How to complete CY-47. (Copy for C&Y within 48 hours and confidential copy for church.)

• Importance of prompt clearance completion.

Thank you for serving!

Matthew 19:14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

I John 3:18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

I Peter 5:2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;