STUDENTS

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

The Manchester Board of Education recognizes that a student's mental and physical health will have an effect on the student's ability to obtain the most benefit from attending school. In order to increase the student's ability to learn while in school, the Board of Education realizes the importance of identifying students who may be suffering from abuse and neglect. Additionally, Connecticut General Statutes 17a-101 et seq [as amended by P.A. 96-246] require that any certified personnel and mandated reporter (any physician, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, social worker, coach, psychologist, school teacher, school principal, school guidance counselor, school paraprofessional, physician assistant, any person who is a Connecticut certified substance abuse counselor, any person who is a Connecticut certified marital and family therapist or any person paid for caring for children in a day care center . . .) in the school system who suspects child abuse or neglect must report it to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or a law enforcement agency. When any member of the certified school staff or other mandated reporter employed by the Manchester Board of Education has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse, he/she shall immediately make an oral report by telephone or otherwise to the Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families followed, within 48 hours, with a written report, and shall notify the building administrator that such a report has been made. The reporter shall submit a written report to DCF within 48 hours of making an oral report. The reporter shall also submit a written report containing such information to the superintendent of schools or his/her designee.

Under state law, and person who is required to report suspected child abuse/neglect and fails to make such a report shall be fined not less than $500.00 or more than $2,500.00. The conviction of such an offense or the levying of such a fine shall be reported by the state's attorney's office to the commissioner of education. Under state law, any person who knowingly makes a false report of child abuse or neglect shall be fined no more than $2,000 nor imprisoned not more than one year or both.

The Manchester Board of Education, in recognizing that child abuse is a criminal offense, directs the establishment of procedures and guidelines to deal with such an offense in accordance with CT General Statutes 17a-101, [17a-102], 17a-103, 17a-106, Sec 46b-120, 10-145g, 10-220a(a), 10-221(e), [and Public Act 96-246] 17a-101a, 17a-101b, 17a-101c, 17a-101d and Public Acts 00-2002 and 02-138.

Adopted: October 15, 1974
Guidelines Updated: September 10, 1990
August, 1999
Revised: February 24, 1997
REVISED: February 23, 2004
GUIDELINES REVISED: February 23, 2004

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING

Definitions of Abuse/Neglect:

The State of Connecticut, under General Statute 17a-101 et seq as amended by P.A. 96-246, has designated all professional school employees as mandated reporters, as follows: " . . . any physician, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse . . . psychologist, school teacher, school principal, school guidance counselor, school paraprofessional, social worker, coach, mental health professional, physician assistant, any person who is a Connecticut certified substance abuse counselor, any person who is a Connecticut certified marital and family therapist or any person paid for caring for children in a day care center who has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any child under the age of eighteen has had physical injury or injuries inflicted upon him by a person responsible for such child's or youths health, welfare or care, by a person given access to such child by such responsible person, or by a school employee other than by accidental means or has injuries which are at variance with the history given of them, or is in a condition which is the result of maltreatment such as, but not limited to, malnutrition, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, deprivation of necessities, emotional maltreatment, or cruel treatment, or has been neglected as defined by section 46b-120 shall report or cause a report to be made. . .

If a member of a school staff who is required to report under the provisions of this section has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any such child has had injuries inflicted upon him by a school employee, the member of the school staff shall report the information which is to be included in the report described in said subsection (c) to DCF and to the superintendent or his/her designee.

Mandated reporters, unlike other citizens, may not make anonymous reports. Department of Children and Families regulations require that the identity of the person reporting a case of suspected child abuse and/or neglect shall not be revealed by DCF unless consent is provided. DCF staff must protect the identity of the reporter unless criminal investigation is also conducted as a result of the report or as required by court order to reveal the identity of the reporter.

It should be noted that for purposes of the Manchester Board of Education, all certified and/or licensed personnel employed by the Manchester Board of Education including, but not limited to, teachers, school social workers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, vocational instructors, coaches, speech and language clinicians, school nurses, school medical advisor, occupational therapists and assistants, physical therapists and assistants, and administrators as well as para professionals are mandated reporters under the law. Although clerical staff, kitchen staff, school bus drivers, volunteers, buildings and grounds staff are not mandated reporters, they are, like any other citizen, ethically responsible to also report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect and, as employees of the Manchester Board of Education, are required to make such reports in accordance with this policy.

ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING (3)

Under Connecticut Law, an abused child is any child under the age of 18 who:

A. Has sustained non-accidental physical injury inflicted by a parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision of a child or by a person given access to such child by such responsible person.

B. Has a physical injury that is at a variance with a history given of the injury.

C. Has an unusually frequent history of such "accidents".

D. Has been sexually abused meaning any act or acts involving sexual molestation or exploitation, including but not limited to incest, rape, or sexual offense in any degree, sodomy, or unnatural or perverted sexual practices, on any child by any parent or any other person who has the permanent or temporary care or custody or responsibility for supervision of a minor child or by a person given access to such child by such responsible person. Sexual abuse would also include, but not be limited to, contact or conduct with a child for the purpose of sexual gratification, and may range from sexual advances, kissing, or fondling to sexual crime in any degree, rape, sodomy, prostitution, or allowing, permitting, encouraging, or engaging in the obscene or pornographic display, photographing, filming or depicting of a child as prohibited by law.

E. Is neglected meaning the failure to give proper care and attention to a child under circumstances that indicate that the child's health or welfare is significantly harmed or placed at risk of significant harm by the child's parents, guardian, custodian, person responsible for the supervision of the child, or by a person given access to such child by such responsible person. Section 46b-120 defines ANeglected@ as a child or youth who (i) has been abandoned or (ii) is being denied proper care and attention, physically, educationally, emotionally, morally or (iii) is being permitted to live under conditions, circumstances or associations injurious to his well-being, or (iv) has been abused; a child or youth may be found Auncared for@ who is homeless or whose home cannot provide the specialized care which his physical, emotional or mental condition requires.

Suspected cases of child maltreatment are investigated by the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families. Each case is evaluated to determine the necessity of treatment for the family. Criminal prosecution is not the primary purpose of the investigation or of the report made by the educator. Connecticut General Statute 17 101(h) and 17a-102 provides immunity to Aany such person, institution or agency which, in good faith, makes the report required by this section@ from any liability, civil or criminal, which might otherwise be incurred or imposed and provides the same immunity with respect to any judicial proceeding which results from such report.

These regulations are intended to safeguard children whose health and welfare may be adversely affected through injury and neglect, and to ensure a nurturing and safe environment. Reports should be made where there is reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any child under the age of eighteen:

1. Has had physical injury or injuries inflicted upon him/her (other than by accidental means) by a person responsible for the child's health, welfare, or care, or by a person given access to the child.

2. Has injuries which are at a variance with the explanation given of their occurrence.

3. Is in a condition, which is the result of maltreatment such as, but not limited to, malnutrition, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, deprivation of necessities, emotional maltreatment, or cruel punishment.

4. Has been neglected in one or more of the following ways:

A. Has been abandoned;

B. Is being denied proper care and attention, physically, educationally or morally;

C. Is being permitted to live under conditions, circumstances, or associations injurious to the child's well being;

5. Is in danger of being abused even though one does not have reasonable cause to suspect or believe any such abuse has actually occurred.

It should be especially noted that it is not necessary for us to know or prove that abuse is occurring or has occurred in the past.

It is sufficient that we only SUSPECT that it MAY be occurring or that it might occur. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the agency charged with the responsibility to investigate such cases. Additionally, reports should be made as soon as the child abuse is suspected, even though the incident may not be a recent one.

See attached chart "Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect"

General Reporting Procedures:

1. School staff shall IMMEDIATELY make an oral report of suspected child abuse to the Department of Children and Families by calling the Careline 1-800-842-2288 or the Manchester Police Department 645-5500 when the child is in imminent danger.

2. If DCF does not accept the referral you should always send the written report to DCF anyway and ask for a DCF supervisor or call MPD if you are still concerned. When the allegation relates to sexual abuse/assault or serious physical injury, call MPD at the same time you call DCF so both agencies can respond together.

3. The oral report must be made immediately within 12 hours, not-withstanding any provision of law, including any law on privileged communications.

4. The reporting school staff member shall inform the building/program administrator that a case of suspected child abuse has been reported. The OBLIGATION TO REPORT cases of suspected child abuse IS NOT DISCRETIONARY and the building/program ADMINISTRATOR SHALL ENSURE THAT CASES ARE DULY REPORTED if this has not already been done. NO PERSON OF HIGHER AUTHORITY THAN THE REPORTER, OR FROM ANY OTHER AGENCY, HAS ANY LEGAL RIGHT TO PROHIBIT OR INTERFERE WITH A REFERRAL OR REPORT TO DCF.

5. The person making the oral report to DCF must also submit a written report (Form: CYS 136 or Manchester form: MBOE 136) within 48 hours of the oral report. Send report to:

Department of Children and Families
HOTLINE
505 Hudson Street
Hartford, CT 06106-7107
(Telephone: 1-800-842-2288)

When an oral report is made to MPD, the written report is sent to MPD and a copy is sent to DCF (above): Manchester Police Department, 239 Middle Turnpike E., Manchester, CT 06040 (telephone: 645-5500).

A copy should be retained at the school to be kept in the health file. A copy should also be sent to the superintendent's designees who currently are the Director of Student Support Services and the Department Head for School Social Work. All copies are to be kept in confidential, limited access files.

The written report shall include: the name of the child(ren); the child(ren)'s birth date, gender, address, telephone number; parent/guardian name and address; the name and address of the suspected perpetrator of the abuse and relationship to the alleged victim; a factual description of the reported incident(s) including Alocation of injury@ drawing attached to the nurse=s report, when appropriate, including the approximate date and time of the injury; and any other information pertinent to the present situation which the DCF might have a need to know such as the circumstances in which the injury came to be known; note any previous history of injury or maltreatment; whatever action might have been taken to treat, shelter or assist the child; the reporter's name, title, school address and telephone number; and the reporter's signature; the name of the DCF worker to whom the oral report was made including the date of the oral report.

6. DO NOT REMOVE A CHILD from the home/living situation.

7. If you consider the child's life at risk or that it is a medical emergency, so indicate at time of oral report to DCF and notify Manchester Police Department (645-5500) or follow school medical procedures to call 911.

8. Children can be taken to the hospital in cases of medical emergency and the call to DCF can be made from there. In such cases, Manchester Board of Education medical emergency procedures shall be followed. DCF and/or the physician, if warranted, may put into effect an "emergency hold" that retains the child in a medical facility for a limited time.

9. Information contained in school health records needed during the existence of a health and safety emergency may be disclosed without parental consent and without violating the provisions of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy act (FERPA) of 1974.

School Procedure:

1. A school staff member may question the child initially and must then notify the building/program administrator and the school social worker and/or school nurse who may further assess the situation.

2. School staff members may initially question the child to determine if the child's injuries resulted from other than accidental means, sexual abuse or malicious acts by the child's caretaker; however, in no case should the child be subjected to undue pressure in order to validate the suspicion of abuse. In any event, QUESTIONING of the child must be LIMITED TO DETERMINING SUSPICION and to determining the IMMEDIATE HEALTH AND SAFETY of the student. Validation of child abuse is the responsibility of the Department of Children and Families and/or Manchester Police Department. Any doubt about reporting a suspected situation is to be resolved in favor of the child and the report is to be made immediately.

3. No contact with the child's parent/guardian should be made before the oral report to DCF or MPD. At the time of the oral report, DCF and/or MPD, together with the reporter, will decide when parent/guardian should be notified and by whom. In any case, when it is the judgment of school personnel that notification of parent/guardian would create a threat to the well being of the child, no such notification by school personnel shall occur. Such a decision should be made by the reporter, building/program administrator, and/or crisis team members, and DCF and/or MPD.

4. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY EMPLOYEE OF MANCHESTER BOARD OF EDUCATION ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DETERMINING THE SAFETY OF THE CHILD OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL SETTING ONCE THE ORAL REPORT HAS BEEN MADE TO DCF OR TO MPD. It is the responsibility of DCF and/or MPD to assume responsibility for determining the safety of the child and for providing for the safety of the child.

Removal of Clothing:

In the event that visual confirmation of injury or neglect is necessary, only the school nurse or school doctor may request or remove the child's clothing. Neither a school nurse nor a school doctor may remove or insist that a child remove clothing to confirm suspected abuse or neglect, except in those circumstances where there is a need for emergency medical treatment. The school nurse or school doctor may request that a child remove clothing when the following three conditions exist:

1. A child, by word or action, has identified a particular injury, the extent of which can only be determined by removing the child's clothing.

2. The examination is necessary to determine whether medical attention is required and not merely to confirm suspected abuse.

3. The request is made in such a manner that the child clearly understands that compliance with the request is optional and that no adverse consequences will result from a refusal to comply.

In addition to the school nurse or the school doctor, a board of education employee of the same sex as the child will be present during such an examination.

Emergency Medical Care:

If a school nurse or school medical advisor is not readily available and there is a need for emergency first aid, other public school personnel who have completed a course in first aid may render emergency first aid to the child. (A person providing such aid is not liable for civil damages for any personal injuries, which result from acts or omissions by such person in rendering the emergency first aid which constitute ordinary negligence.)

Transportation for a child to a hospital in an emergency situation that may be a result of abuse or neglect will be provided to the same extent as it would be provided to any other child in need of emergency medical service and following existing Manchester Board of Education procedures for a medical emergency.

Role of the Department of Children and Families (DCF):

Procedure for In school Interview by the DCF:

1. If the school crisis team, any member thereof, or the principal/program administrator, in the absence of a team decision, believes that an interview in the school setting may be necessary in order to protect the child, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or Manchester Police Department (MPD) must be notified as early in the school day as is possible. The DCF/MPD will advise school personnel whether the child must be interviewed in the school during the school day or whether the child can be interviewed outside of the school setting after the school day. The clear intent is to provide maximum safety for the student with minimal disruption to the school day for both that student and for other students.

2. When the DCF/MPD determines that a school interview is appropriate, the DCF/MPD personnel will notify the building principal/program administrator or their designee as far in advance as possible of the school visit. The DCF/MPD personnel will provide the building principal/program administrator or administrator=s designee with DCF/MPD identification upon request.

3. It is the responsibility of DCF/MPD to obtain the consent of the parents or guardians except when DCF/MPD has reason to believe that such parent or guardian is the alleged abuser.

4. Should the DCF/MPD personnel not arrive as scheduled and school personnel decide that the retention of the child beyond the school day is necessary to protect the child's physical well being, the school administrator or his/her designee must attempt to notify the parents/guardian of the child that the child needs to remain after school hours except when the alleged abuse involves the parent. If reasonable attempts to notify the parents/guardian fail, the administrator will notify the child's parent/guardian as soon as possible thereafter.

5. The school will provide a private place for the DCF/MPD personnel to interview the child.

6. DCF/MPD shall attempt to give advance notification to school authorities of the need to interview children on school property during school hours. SCHOOL AUTHORITIES ARE REQUIRED TO COOPERATE WITH DCF PERSONNEL AND/OR MPD IF THE REPORT WAS MADE TO MPD OR MPD IS ACTING AT THE REQUEST OF DCF IN THE INVESTIGATION OF REPORTS OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT OF CHILDREN WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

7. It is appropriate for the building/program administrator or his/her designee to be present at, but not to conduct, the interview with DCF/MPD personnel. Whether the child is the alleged victim or a non-victim witness, DCF or the police shall determine, after consultation with the principal or designee, whether a disinterested adult shall be present during the questioning of a pupil. The disinterested adult should be selected on a case basis for the purpose of providing support and comfort to the student who will be questioned. DCF regulations express a preference for having a disinterested third party present during questioning except in circumstances where DCF determines that immediate access is necessary to protect the child; when a disinterested adult is not available; and when the presence of a third party may inhibit the child=s responses. Should DCF/MPD determine that a disinterested third party is not acceptable, the DCF/MPD representative should inform the administrator or designee as to any results of the interview about which the school may have a need to know. IN ANY EVENT, THE INVESTIGATION IS TO BE CONDUCTED SOLELY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (DCF) PERSONNEL OR MANCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH DCF.

8. Whether or not the report of suspected child maltreatment was initiated by the school, the child may be questioned by the DCF personnel in the school and the DCF personnel may have access to school records AS NEEDED AS PART OF A CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT INVESTIGATION without obtaining permission of the child's parent/guardian. If the initial referral for suspected maltreatment is made to MPD as well as to DCF, then MPD personnel who are investigating the report may have similar access to school records. However, if the referral was not made to MPD, they do not have the same access as DCF to school records.

9. If during the course of the investigation, the DCF worker or MPD personnel requests the removal of clothing worn by the child, the examination will be made by the school nurse or school medical personnel in the presence of the DCF worker or MPD personnel and in accordance with the procedures outlined above.

Removal From Home and/or School:

1. If the Department of Children and Families has probable cause to believe that the child is suffering from serious physical illness or injury or is in immediate danger from his/her surroundings, and that immediate removal from such surroundings is necessary to ensure
the child's safety, the DCF may remove or authorize a law enforcement official to remove the child from such surroundings without the consent of the child's parent/guardian. In this event, DCF becomes wholly responsible for the well being of the student and the student would not, ordinarily, be returned to school without DCF intervention with the parent/guardian.

2. If the Manchester Police Department has probable cause to believe that the child is suffering from serious physical illness or injury or is in immediate danger from his/her surroundings, and that immediate removal from such surroundings to a place of safety such as a hospital or the police station is necessary to ensure the child's safety, the MPD may remove or be authorized by DCF to remove the child from such surroundings without the consent of the child's parent/guardian. In this event, MPD becomes wholly responsible for well being of the child and the child would not, ordinarily, be returned to the school without a decision or intervention by DCF with the family.

3. If removal of the child from the school is determined to be necessary, the DCF or MPD personnel shall inform the building/program administrator or his/her designee of the need for such removal. DCF personnel shall show the school administrator or designee a copy of the court order or other official documentation. The MPD shall have consulted with the building/program administrator about the need for such removal.

4. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AGENCY REMOVING THE CHILD i.e. THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND/OR MANCHESTER POLICE DEPARTMENT TO NOTIFY THE PARENT/GUARDIAN OF ANY ACTIVITIES OR ACTIONS TAKEN BY DCF AND/OR MPD. The principal or designee shall insure that notification of removal from school by DCF or police is made to the parent or guardian of the student within twelve hours of such removal.

Procedures for the School Staff:

1. Notification of parent/guardian:

a. If the alleged perpetrator of the abuse does not reside in the home, the school social worker, the administrator, or the crisis team designee, after consultation with and consent by the DCF personnel or MPD personnel, will notify the parent/guardian that a referral has been made.

b. If the alleged perpetrator of the abuse is in the home and/or it is the judgement of the administrator and/or the school crisis team, or any member thereof, that the parent/guardian may punish the child for revealing the abuse, the notification of the parent/guardian of the referral for suspected abuse will be done by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) personnel or by Manchester Police Department (MPD) personnel.

2. Procedures for written report:

a. WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE ORAL REPORT a written report (CYS-136 or Manchester form: MBOE 136) shall be sent to:

Department of Children and Families
HOTLINE
505 Hudson Street
Hartford, CT 06106-0107
(Telephone: 1-800-842-2288)

b. This written report shall be signed by the school person making the referral and/or it may be signed jointly by the administrator, school social worker, school nurse, or by the crisis team designee.

c. If the oral report is made jointly to MPD, a copy of the written report should also be sent to:

Manchester Police Department
239 East Middle Turnpike
Manchester, CT 06040
(Telephone: 645-5500)

d. A copy of this report shall be kept in the school health file. A copy should be sent to the superintendent's designees who are currently the Director of Student Support Services and the Department Head of School Social Work who shall keep these reports in a confidential, limited access file.

e. Communication will be established and maintained between DCF/MPD personnel and the school social worker and/or school nurse who will confer with the appropriate school staff as necessary.

Procedures For Use with persons 18 years of age or older who are believed to lack the capacity to care for their daily needs:

In the case of suspected abuse or neglect of mentally retarded adults between 18 21 years of age and other persons 18 years of age or older who are believed to lack the capacity to care for their daily needs, oral and written reports of the suspected abuse will be made to the office of Protection/Advocacy for Persons With Disabilities (1-800-842-7303).

The in house procedure for working with the Office of Protection/Advocacy for Persons With Disabilities follows those for the Department of Children and Families.

Reporting of suspected child abuse perpetrated by a board of education employee:

Any nurse, teacher, administrator, guidance counselor, social worker or other mandated reporter employed by Manchester Board of Education who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child
has been abused or neglected by a Manchester Board of Education employee must immediately make an oral report of the suspected abuse to DCF (1-800-842-2288) and to the superintendent of schools. The oral report shall be followed by a written report to the superintendent. The superintendent is authorized to delegate his/her responsibilities for receiving and making reports, notifying and receiving notification, and conducting investigations related to such instances of suspected child abuse by a Manchester Board of Education employee to a designee acting on his/her behalf.

1. This oral report must be followed within 48 hours by a written report to the Commissioner of Children and Families, the local police department or the state police.

2. The report must name the child, parents, child's age, nature and extent of injuries, the name of the suspected employee, and any other information that might be helpful in protecting the child.

3. The superintendent/designee or the Manchester Board of Education may authorize other individuals/agencies to conduct an internal investigation of the allegations but the lead investigative agency will be DCF or the Manchester Police Department.

4. The superintendent shall immediately notify the parent or legal guardian of the child or the person responsible for the care of the child that such an allegation is being investigated by DCF with Manchester Police Department or school assistance as required.

5. When a school employee is suspected of child physical or sexual abuse or neglect, the superintendent or designee shall notify the Commissioner of Education and the appropriate law enforcement agency, orally and in writing as prescribed by law.

6. When an investigation produces such evidence of abuse by a Manchester Board of Education employee, and the employee in question is in a position requiring a certificate, the superintendent shall suspend the certified professional employee with pay and without termination of benefits, provided he/she notifies the Board of Education of the reasons for the suspension within 72 hours.

7. The suspension remains in effect until the school board takes action under the Teacher Tenure Act.

8. If the contract of employment of a certified school employee is terminated as the result of an investigation of abuse, the superintendent shall notify the commissioner of education within seventy-two (72) hours after such termination.

9. If a certified school employee is convicted of a crime involving an act of child abuse or neglect or sexual assault, the State's Attorney must notify the superintendent of schools and the State Board of Education upon conviction. The State Board of Education is obligated to commence proceedings to revoke certification in such an event.

10. When an investigation produces evidence of child abuse by a Board of Education employee, and the employee in question is in a position not requiring a certificate, the superintendent may suspend the employee with pay and without termination of benefits. The suspension remains in effect until the Board of Education or their designee takes action for job termination.

Education of staff

1. Annually, Manchester Board of Education shall provide training sessions to all school employees on child abuse/neglect policies and procedures, symptoms, programs and services.

2. Annually, parents and students will be informed of the responsibility of Manchester Board of Education employees to report suspicions of abuse and neglect.

ADOPTED: OCTOBER 15, 1974
GUIDELINE UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 10, 1990
REVISED: FEBRUARY 24, 1997
REVISED: AUGUST 1999
REVISED: February 24, 2004

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Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call the Child Protection CARELINE; 1-800-842-2288 (24 hours a day)

RECOGNIZING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Child abuse is the non-accidental physical or mental injury,
sexual abuse or neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a
person responsible for the child's health, welfare or care, or
by a person given access to the child by the responsible person.
The forms of abuse and neglect include:

Physical abuse: injuring a child by shaking, beating, burning or
other means.

Sexual abuse: engaging in sexual behavior with a child or allowing
sexual exploitation of a child.

Emotional abuse: excessive belittling, teasing or berating which
impairs a child's psychological growth.

Neglect: failing to provide for a child's basic needs (i.e. food,
clothing, shelter, hygiene, education, medical care and
supervision.)

At-risk: placing a child in danger of abuse or neglect
(e.g. threatening a child with bodily harm.)

While any of the forms of maltreatment may be found alone, they
often occur in combination. Emotional abuse often accompanies
the other types of abuse.

_____________________________________________________

By: Connecticut Department of Children and Families

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, or for information about services
for children and families, call:

CARELINE: 1-800-842-2288
(TDD: 1-800-624-5518)
Outside CT: 1-203-344-2599

MANCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS
45 NORTH SCHOOL STREET
MANCHESTER, CT 06040

MANDATED REPORTER REFERRAL TO
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Please print or type

______________________________________________________________________________
CHILD'S NAME MALE/FEMALE CHILD'S ADDRESS AGE OR BIRTH DATE

NAME OF PARENTS OR OTHER PERSON ADDRESS
RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILD'S CARE

WHERE IS CHILD STAYING PRESENTLY IF NOT AT HOME? DATE PROBLE M NOTED

NAME OF DCF INTAKE WORKER TO WHOM ORAL DATE OF ORAL REPORT DATE OF SUSPECTED ABUSE
REPORT WAS MADE (IF KNOWN)

NAME OF SUSPECTED PERPETRATOR, IF KNOWN ADDRESS RELATIONSHIP TO CHILD

NATURE, EXTENT AND EXPLANATION OF THE SUSPECTED ABUSE include circumstances in which the injury came to be known to the reporter, approximate date and time of injury, previous known injury to other children in the family, whatever action was taken to treat, shelter or assist the child.

WERE POLICE NOTIFIED? YES_______ NO________ IF YES, BY WHOM WERE POLICE NOTIFIED?
LIST NAMES AND AGES OF SIBLINGS, IF KNOWN

REPORTER'S NAME AGENCY/SCHOOL POSITION

ADDRESS TELEPHONE NUMBER

REPORTER'S SIGNATURE DATE

ORIGINAL REPORT TO DCF, Hotline, P.O. Box 882, Middletown, CT 06457 (within 48 hours of telephone report)
COPY TO: CHILD'S HEALTH FILE
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT HEAD
PPS DIRECTOR

REV. 9/99 MBOE 136 REPORT TO DCF

ATTACHMENT TO 33-6-3 Page 1 of 4

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS OF
CHILD ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND AT RISK

The following operational definitions are working definitions and examples of child abuse, neglect, and at risk.

For the purposes of these operational definitions.

· the term child refers to any person under eighteen years of age.

· A person responsible for a child's care includes the child's parent, guardian, foster parent, an employee of a public or private residential home or facility or other person legally responsible under State law for the child's welfare in a residential setting.

· A caretaker is an individual in whose care a biological or adoptive parent or legal guardian has left a child on an extended basis, and who exercises parental authority in the capacity of a guardian.

· The phrase perpetrator given access to the child by the person responsible for the child's care refers to those circumstances when the person responsible for the child's care uses poor judgment in entrusting the child to another individual who then causes injury to the child.

ABUSE

· is a non-accidental injury to a child which, regardless of motive, is inflicted or allowed to be inflicted by the person responsible for the child's care.

· incudes

-any injury which is at variance with the history given
-maltreatment such as, but not limited to, malnutrition, sexual molestation, deprivation of
necessities, emotional maltreatment or cruel punishment.

Type of Abuse Description/Examples
Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is any physical injury inflicted other than by accidental means, or injuries at variance with the history given of them, or a child's condition which is the result of maltreatment such as malnutrition, deprivation of necessities or cruel punishment.Examples of injuries which may result from physical abuse include:· head injuries· bruises, cuts or lacerations· internal injuries· burns, scalds-reddening or blistering of the tissue through application of heat by fire, chemical substances, cigarettes, matches, electricity, scalding water, friction, etc.· injuries to bone, muscle, cartilage, ligaments-fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, displacements, hematomas, etc.· death

ATTACHMENT TO 33-6-3 Page 2 of 4

Type of Abuse Description/Examples

Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

Sexual abuse is any incident of sexual contact involving a child which is inflicted or allowed to be inflicted by the person responsible for the child's care.

Sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to, the following:

rape· intercourse· sodomy· oral sex· incest· sexual penetration: digital, penile, or foreign objects

Sexual exploitation of a child includes:

· permitting a child to participate in pornography· allowing a child to engage in sexual behavior with adults

Emotional Abuse or Maltreatment

Emotional abuse or maltreatment is the result of cruel or unconscionable acts and/or statements made, threatened to be made, or allowed to be made by the person responsible for the child's care which have a direct effect on the child.

The observable and substantial impairment of the child's psychological, cognitive, emotional and/or social well-being and functioning must be related to the behavior of the person responsible for the child's care.

Emotional abuse or maltreatment may result from

· repeated negative acts or statements directed at the child· exposure to repeated violent, brutal, or intimidating acts or statements among members of the household· cruel or unusual actions used in the attempt to gain submission, enforce maximum control, or to modify the child's behavior· rejection of the child

NEGLECT

Neglect is the failure, whether intentional or not, of the person responsible for the child's car to provide and maintain adequate food, clothing, medical care, supervision, and/or education.

A child may be found neglected who
· has been abandoned
· is being denied proper care and attention physically, educationally, emotionally, or morally
· is being permitted to live under conditions, circumstances or associations injurious to his well-being
· is being abused

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Type of Neglect Description/Examples

Physical Neglect

The following are examples of physical neglect:

· the failure to provide adequate food, shelter, and clothing which is appropriate to the climatic and environmental conditions.· the failure to provide, whether intentional or otherwise, supervision or a reliable person(s) to provide child care, including-leaving a child alone for an excessive period of time given the child's age and cognitive abilities-holding the child responsible for the care of siblings or others beyond the child's ability· the person responsible for the child's care displays-erratic or impaired behavior-is unable to consistently provide the maximum of child-caring tasks· death

Medical Neglect

Medical neglect is·

the refusal or failure on the part of the person responsible for the child's care to seek, obtain, and/or maintain those services for necessary medical, dental, or mental health care· withholding medically indicated treatment from disabled infants with life threatening conditionsNote: Failure to provide the child with immunizations or routine well child care in and of itself does not constitute medical neglect.Cross-references: · "Religious Beliefs of Parents Preventing Medical Care" policy 34-12-7· "High Risk Newborns", policy 34-12-2· "Disabled Infants With Life Threatening Conditions", policy 34-12-3

Educational Neglect

Educational neglect occurs when a child between the ages of seven (7) and sixteen (16)· is not registered in school· is not allowed to attend school by reason of the actions or inactions on the part of the person responsible for the child's care.

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Type of Neglect Description/Examples

Emotional and Moral Neglect

Emotional and moral neglect is the denial of proper care and attention to the child, emotionally and/or morally, by the person responsible for the child's care which may result in the child's maladaptive functioning.Harmful behaviors by the person responsible include, but are not limited to, the following:· encouraging the child to steal or engage in other illegal activities· encouraging the child to use drugs and/or alcohol· recognizing the child's need but failing to provide the child with emotional nurturance· having inappropriate expectations of the child given the child's developmental level.Note: for court intervention regarding emotional neglect, a statement from a mental health provided documenting the condition is required.

AT RISK

A child may be at risk of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, or emotional abuse as a result of the actions of the person responsible for the child's care which place the child at risk.

Type of Risk Description/Examples

At Risk of Abuse

At risk of abuse includes· actions or statements conveying threats of physical or mental injury· a real threat to the child's well-being as perceived by the child· the person responsible for the child's care exposing the child to dangerous and/or violent situations.

At Risk of Neglect

At risk of neglect includes· the inability of the person responsible for the child's care to recognize or consistently provide for the child's basic needs due to substance abuse of any other impairment.

High Risk Newborns

Newborn children will be considered to be at risk because of a combination of both their own special needs and their mother's condition or behavior.Indicators of special needs newborns include, but are not limited to· a positive urine toxicology for drugs· a positive test for HIV virus· a serious medical problemIndicators in the mother's condition or behavior include, but are not limited to· substance abuse· severe mental retardation· major psychiatric illness· young age, causing inability to care for self or newborn