Legal & Ethical Guide by Vanesa Ng https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical Title 1 Schools and the Impact of Poverty on Child Abuse en-us 2021-07-13 03:55:43 UTC 2024-10-28 05:32:09 UTC hello@padlet.com My Professional Perspective WelcomeNg https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647068695 My professional perspective is of a school counselor sharing this guide with other school counselors, the goal is to provide and share resources to parents, guardians, students, and school staff.

The topic of my Legal Guide is:
Title 1 Schools and the Impact of Poverty on Child Abuse

I chose this topic because growing up I attending Title 1 campuses and was impacted by poverty. My childhood friends suffered from abuse and I was not sure how I could help, teachers and administrators would get involved and at times I would not see my friends for a few days or weeks. As a child, I was curious and confused. As an adult, I want to gather tools and resources to help children not suffer the same reality. ]]> 2021-07-13 04:08:41 UTC https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647068695 Professional Association WelcomeNg https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647072814 The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) provides the publications and research tab, which houses resources related to crisis and trauma under toolkits and framework documents. ASCA frequently collaborates with other organizations on topics of importance to gathers appropriate resources for school counselors to access relating to current issues.

There is a Texas Facebook Group called "The Great State of Texas School Counselors" for school counselors to exchange ideas, ask questions, share resources, and support each other that was created by our School Counselor Program Manager at Texas Education Agency (TEA), Stephanie Lerner.
Linked-in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-lerner-25552073
Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thegreatstateoftexasschoolcounselors/

Stephanie also provides school counselors with resources, a blog, reviews, speaking engagements, and support on her website.

I have selected a blog post from Stephanie's website that is relevant to my topic. This blog post provides school counselors with crisis intervention and prevention information that is foundational and critical guidelines to follow. Child abuse and neglect fall under the Responsive Services section for school counselors, and crises services are expected (TEA, 2018). ]]> 2021-07-13 04:11:11 UTC https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647072814 Current News Article: Education Week WelcomeNg https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647073639
  • This news article describes the reality of students impacted by abuse during the pandemic and how having less contact with students, due to school closures and remote classes impacted reporting child maltreatment, "While reported abuse dropped, the confirmed evidence of abuse rose by 30 percent from 2019 to 2020" (Sparks, 2021). 
  • Moving forward, school counselors have a duty to communicate a plan to teachers on what signs to look for when it comes to child abuse. Sparks (2021) shares that possibly updating the mandated-reporter training to add more clarification of the signs of abuse and neglect that can show up in remote classes such as:
    •  self-harming behavior
    •  defensive behavior toward adults
    • signs of neglect in the home.
    • ]]>     2021-07-13 04:11:45 UTC https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647073639     Current News Article: Professional School Counseling Journal WelcomeNg https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647074673
  • This news article is a great resource relating to how school counselors were found to be more likely to suspect defensive parents of abuse than cooperative or non-involved parents. An important reality for school counselors related to physical abuse, "Children who fit a specific profile may be more typically reported...(this) may mean that children who do not fit this profile are experiencing physical abuse that may go unreported" (Tillman et al., 2015, p. 108). It is our duty to protect students and advocate for their safety, especially when they cannot escape an unsafe situation. 
  • This study sought to explore possible child abuse reporting disparities among school counselors, "school counselors were more likely, across the board, to report abuse than to suspect abuse" (Tillman et al., 2015, p. 103).
    • ]]>     2021-07-13 04:12:15 UTC https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647074673     Original Sources of Law WelcomeNg https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647075468 Relating to Child Abuse Reporting and Training
    Texas Education Code (2 Tex. Edu. Code § 38.004) 
    • Maintain a list of links to sites that provide information regarding the prevention of child abuse and develop a training program on the prevention of child abuse that is used for staff development.
    • Provide child abuse anti-victimization programs.
    Texas Education Code (2 Tex. Edu. Code § 38.0041) 
    • Adopt and implement a policy addressing sexual abuse and other maltreatment of children and include that policy in the district improvement plan and any informational handbook provided to students and parents.
    • Participate in training on prevention techniques and recognition of sexual abuse and other forms of child maltreatment. 
    • Maintain records that include the name of each district staff member who participated in the training.
    ]]>     2021-07-13 04:12:43 UTC https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647075468     Original Sources of Law WelcomeNg https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647075539 Texas Education Agency (2021)]]> 2021-07-13 04:12:46 UTC https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647075539 Original Sources of Law WelcomeNg https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647075623 Which school personnel must we notify prior to initiating a school investigation? (40. Tex. Admin. Code § 707.615)]]> 2021-07-13 04:12:49 UTC https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647075623 Original Sources of Law WelcomeNg https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647075689 Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect, Including Trafficking of a Child
    (19. Tex. Admin. Code § 61.1051)

    ]]>     2021-07-13 04:12:51 UTC https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647075689     Local Administrative Policy WelcomeNg https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647076349 Dickinson ISD in Texas has a local policy that illustrates how they approach child abuse and neglect. The District’s program to address child sexual abuse, trafficking, and other maltreatment of children, as included in the District improvement plan and the student handbook (student welfare - child abuse and neglect, 2020). ]]> 2021-07-13 04:13:14 UTC https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647076349 Ethical Principle WelcomeNg https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647077297 The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Ethical Standards for school counselors code item: A.11. Bullying, Harassment, and Child Abuse emphasize that the school counselor:
    b. Reports suspected cases of child abuse to the proper authorities
    c. Knowledgeable about current state laws and campus procedures on child abuse
    d. Develops and maintains the expertise to recognize the signs and
    indicators of abuse and neglect, plus encourages training for staff and students.
    e. Guides and assists students who have experienced abuse and
    neglect by providing appropriate services
    (ASCA, A.11. b, c, d, e, 2016)]]>     2021-07-13 04:13:44 UTC https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647077297     Personal Connection to the Legal and Ethical Standards WelcomeNg https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647077830 Explore my Prezi presentation overview of how the context allowed me to understand the application of the law to my personal educational journey. I have included points regarding my feelings about these connections to the law and how this paved a way for my education goals. ]]> 2021-07-13 04:14:04 UTC https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647077830 Best Practices for Compliance WelcomeNg https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647078310
  • After analyzing the content, I have provided a vocaroo voice recording presentation for school counselors:
    • focusing on the different types of child abuse
    • school counselors legal responsibilities
    • resources that might be helpful when interacting with students and families that have been impacted by these types of incidents
  • Continue to stay vigilant when meeting with students and receiving referrals from teachers regarding student safety. 
  • A positive school culture related to safety is critical for teachers to promote while teaching online and in person. 
  • A handout to supplement this presentation is attached.
    • Vocaroo Presentation: https://voca.ro/1ljOjaEGfutt 
    • The Child Mind Institute is a phenomenal website that has a wealth of information on a range of topics, including child maltreatment. Topics are organized, there are resources, step-by-step guides, and all online for convenience. This institute is also active on social media, such as Facebook, which allows viewers to "follow" their updates and new research articles. https://childmind.org/ 
    • The Child Advocacy Centers of Texas (CACTX) is dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of those individuals and agencies who work with child abuse victims within Children Advocacy Centers (CAC) settings. https://www.cactx.org/ 
    Some recommendations related to educational practice for this topic and best practices for legal compliance:
    • Be diligent with staying up-to-date with the legal requirements, current state laws, and campus procedures for reporting child abuse and neglect. 
    • Be intentional with developing and maintaining the expertise to recognize the signs and indicators of abuse and neglect. 
    • Encourage your administrators on the importance of proper training to enable students and staff to have the knowledge as well.
    (ASCA, A.11. c, d, 2016)
    ]]>     2021-07-13 04:14:19 UTC https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1647078310     References WelcomeNg https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1648167686 American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA Ethical standards for school counselors. Alexandria, VA: Author.
    De La Rosa, S. (2020, May 21). Child maltreatment reports drop as educators lose access to students during closures. Education Dive. https://www.k12dive.com/news/child-maltreatment-reports-drop-as-educators-lose-access-to-students-during/578284/
    Texas Education Agency. (2018). The Texas model for comprehensive school counseling programs (5th ed.). Texas Counseling Association. 
    https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Pub_2018_Texas-Model_5th-Edition.pdf
    Tillman, K. S., Prazak, M. D., Burrier, L., Miller, S., Benezra, M., & Lynch, L. (2015). Factors Influencing School Counselors’ Suspecting and Reporting of Childhood Physical Abuse: Investigating Child, Parent, School, and Abuse Characteristics. Professional School Counseling. https://doi.org/10.5330/1096-2409-19.1.103  
    ]]>     2021-07-13 22:39:29 UTC https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1648167686     Dickinson ISD WelcomeNg https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1651425912 Dickinson, Texas referral options courtesy of the Gator Wellness Center. ]]> 2021-07-15 17:08:37 UTC https://padlet.com/WelcomeNg/legal_ethical/wish/1651425912