Child Abuse and Neglect

Resource Item 1 The New York State Educational Department (SED) oversees the training requirements for mandated reporters. Some examples of fields that require this training to obtain there license is Medical professionals, teachers, and social workers. As a child care provider in New York State we are required to report abuse when there is a reasonable cause, such as Maltreatment or if the child is being placed in imminent danger. Some indications of abuse or maltreatment are: •frequent bruises cuts or burns •Fear or going home •Inappropriate sexual behaviors •Sexual victimization of other children Obvious malnourishment •Frequent absences •Stealing or begging for food When any concerns are suspected they must telephoned immediately to the New York Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR) which is open 24 hrs a day seven days a week. Immediate Notification is required so that immediate intervention can be provided by the department of social services. The Mandated reporters are not to notify the parents before or after it has been reported. Telephone numbers to report abuse or maltreatment are as follows: Mandated Reporter (800)635-1522

Public Hotline (800)342-3720 The SCR will determine if the information being provided can be registered as a report. Once the report is taken you must be sure to request the Call ID. If it is found that they cannot register the report with the provided information it must be clearly explained why and you can also request to speak to a supervisor for complicated situations. When a report is registered at the SCR, the local department of social services is immediately notified for investigation and follow-up. A local CPS caseworker will initiate an investigation within 24 hours.

CPS intervention consists of an evaluation of the child and other children in the home and the development of a plan to meet the needs of the child and family. If there is an immediate threat to the child's life or health, CPS may remove the child from the home. If a call to the SCR provides information about an immediate threat to a child or a crime committed against a child, but the perpetrator is not a parent or other person legally responsible for the child, the SCR staff will make a Law Enforcement Referral (LER).

The relevant information will be recorded and transmitted to the New York State Police Information Network or to the New York City Special Victims Liaison Unit. This is not a CPS report, and local CPS will not be involved. The Social Services Law provides confidentiality for mandated reporters and all sources of child abuse and maltreatment reports. OCFS and local CPS are not permitted to release to the subject of the report. Information regarding the source of the report may be shared with court officials, police, and district attorneys, but only in certain circumstances.

If a mandated reporter makes a report with earnest concern for the welfare of a child, he or she is immune from any criminal or civil liability that might result. This is referred to as making a report in “good faith. ” The Social Services Law specifies that no medical or other public or private institution, school, facility or agency shall take any retaliatory personnel action against an employee who made a report to the SCR. Anyone who is mandated to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment and fails to do so could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor and subject to criminal penalties.

Mandated reporters can be sued in a civil court for monetary damages for any harm caused by the mandated reporter's failure to make a report to the SCR. The New York State Education Department (SED) Office of the Professions oversees the training requirements for mandated reporters. Some categories—including teachers, many medical professionals, and social workers—need this training as part of their licensing requirement. The training may be included in their formal education program.

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is proud to be a certified provider authorized by SED to offer mandated reporter training, and has developed a comprehensive curriculum with content customized to medical professionals, educators, law enforcement personnel, day care providers, and human services staff. All training offered through OCFS, including the new two-hour self-directed online training course, the two-day Training for Trainers, and satellite video conferences, is accessible at no cost to the participant at www. nysmandatedreporter. org. New York State Office of Children & Family Services

Capital View Office Park, 52 Washington Street Rensselaer, New York 12144 Visit our website at: www. ocfs. state. ny. us To report child abuse and neglect call: 1-800-342-3720 For information on the Abandoned Infant Protection Act call: 1-866-505-SAFE (7233) Mandated Reporters Hotline for making child abuse and maltreatment reports: 1-800-635-1522 In the day care I am employed at our program policy regarding my responsibility’s to report child abuse and neglect, I am to tell my programs director or any other administrator in charge what I have seen or have noticed, so they can make a report to the SCR.

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