Legal Guide for Reporting Child Abuse by Valeta Tollison https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v en-us 2022-06-12 20:00:26 UTC 2022-07-24 23:22:29 UTC hello@padlet.com 13. How to Respond to Suspected Child Abuse vtollison https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876727
  • Build relationships with students and create a safe environment in the classroom and school. 
  • Maintain an approachable attitude with body language and words to create a safe space if a student attempts to confide in a teacher or school staff member. 
  • Believe the student. 
  • Allow the student to talk.
  • Avoid interrogating the student or contacting the alleged offender. 
  • Report any suspected child abuse to authorities within 48 hours of first suspecting child abuse. 
    • Report using the Texas Online Reporting.
    • If the situation is urgent and needs investigation within 24 hours call the Texas Abuse Hotline 1-800-252-5400.
    • For immediate emergency concerns or a life-threatening situation dial 9-1-1.
  • Refer to the information on the Department of Family and Protective Services website to help in recognizing child abuse. 
  • Report even if in doubt.
  • Report again if there is a second incident or if the situation has worsened. 
  • Maintain appropriate confidentiality. 


    • Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. (n.d.)

    Recognize the Signs of Child Abuse. https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/Child_Safety/recognize_abuse.asp

    ]]>     2022-07-17 21:48:04 UTC https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876727     12. Personal Connection vtollison https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876738 As a future school counselor, I had the opportunity to speak to over 300 students in two to three-minute interviews. The education I have received regarding the laws for reporting child abuse and the signs of child abuse enabled me to notice points of suspicion and ask clarifying questions to determine if there was a cause for concern with each student. My goal as a school counselor is to help my students be emotional, physically, and mentally successful at school and at home. The laws and ethics of reporting child abuse create a system where students who are being abused can find the help and support they need. Teachers and counselors are able to help students by reporting suspicion of child abuse when there is cause for concern.]]> 2022-07-17 21:48:09 UTC https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876738 11. American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Ethical Standards for School Counselors vtollison https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876750
    A.12. Child Abuse

    According to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) (2022), school counselors are held to a higher standard in regard to mandatory reporting and must report suspicions of child abuse. School counselors are also obligated to maintain their knowledge of signs of child abuse to help them know how to recognize child abuse in students they work with. School counselors should also work to maintain the confidentiality of any students who are victims of child abuse and connect them with appropriate resources.

    American School Counselor Association. (2022). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. School Counselor. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/Ethical-Legal-Responsibilities/ASCA-Ethical-Standards-for-School-Counselors-(1) 
    ]]>     2022-07-17 21:48:14 UTC https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876750     10. Sherman Independent School District Employee Handbook vtollison https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876761 The Sherman Independent School District (SISD) employee handbook outlines how employees should handle suspicions of child abuse. Employees should report suspicions within 48 hours to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) according to state law. Additionally, school staff should inform the campus principal of the suspicion of abuse and cooperate with the investigator.

    Sherman Independent School District. (2016). Sherman ISD Employee Handbook. Sherman ISD.
    https://www.shermanisd.net/cms/lib/TX02215369/Centricity/Shared/Employee%20Handbook/employee-handbook-2015-2016-2.pd ]]>     2022-07-17 21:48:21 UTC https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876761     9. Administrative Law vtollison https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876771 Access to Confidential Information Maintained by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)

    This administrative law refers to the confidential child information held by the DFPS.
    • The code outlines who is allowed to view confidential record information.
    • Some examples are 
      • Law enforcement
      • DPFS workers
      • Physicians
      • Lawyers
      • Grand Jury
    • The code outlines for what purposes those individuals are allowed to view confidential record information.

    40 Tex. Admin. Code § 700.203
    https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=40&pt=19&ch=700&rl=203
    ]]>     2022-07-17 21:48:26 UTC https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876771     8. Judicial Law vtollison https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876855 Washington State v. James-Buhl

    Washington Supreme Court ruled:
    • Mandatory reporting must be linked to a person's professional identity.
    • Teachers cannot be charged for failing to report child abuse if the child was a member of their own family.
    • Narrowed the scope of mandatory reporting for teachers

    State v. James-Buhl, 415 P.3d 234 (Wash. 2018)
    https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/5bda0964342cca3700f806df
    ]]>     2022-07-17 21:48:33 UTC https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876855     7. Statutory Law vtollison https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876883 Investigation of Report of Child Abuse or Neglect

    • Defines abuse and neglect of children
    • Requires people who suspect child abuse to report to the Department of Protective Family Services.

    Tex. Fam. Code § 261.101
    https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.261.htm

    ]]>     2022-07-17 21:48:39 UTC https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876883     6. Constitutional Law vtollison https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876899 14th Amendment

    • Citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States
    • Equal rights for all citizens
    • Due process
    • Legal Representation

    U.S. Const. amend. XIV
    https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/14th-amendment#:~:text=On%20June%2016%2C%201866%2C%20the,supreme%20law%20of%20the%20land
    ]]>     2022-07-17 21:48:44 UTC https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876899     5. News Periodical vtollison https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876913 This article discusses several relevant issues for educators concerning child abuse reporting and specifically in regard to transgender issues. This is an ongoing topic that will be important for educators to stay up to date with. 
    • The Texas Governor's ability to regulate the types of cases investigated by the Department of Family and Protected Services (DFPS).
    • The linking of transgender procedures and medical treatment of students to child abuse.
    • The appropriateness of investigations by DFPS of families with transgender students partaking in medical procedures. 
    • Educators' responsibility to report signs of child abuse involving transgender students who are partaking in medical procedures. 

    Klibanoff, E. (2022, May 13). 

    Texas Supreme Court allows child abuse investigations into families of transgender teens to continue. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2022/05/13/transgender-teens-child-abuse-texas/

    ]]>     2022-07-17 21:48:54 UTC https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876913     4. News Periodical vtollison https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876929
    This article discusses the important safeguard role against child abuse filed by teachers.
    • During COVID, reported child abuse cases by teachers fell while actual cases of child abuse rose. 
    • The proportion of severe needs cases rose due to the fact that early identification of child abuse reported by teachers was missing during COVID.
    • Similar issues occur during the summer months when students are not in school.
    • Could an increase in prevention education for students to become their own advocates, help students in child abuse situations? 

    Sparks, S. (2021, June 1). Child abuse cases got more severe during COVID-19. Could teachers have prevented it? Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/child-abuse-cases-got-more-severe-during-covid-19-could-teachers-have-prevented-it/2021/06 
    ]]>     2022-07-17 21:48:59 UTC https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876929     3. Resources for Reporting Child Abuse vtollison https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876940 Texas State Teachers Association offers information for school employees regarding the information on child abuse and child abuse reporting. Included are topics such as:
    • Confidentiality
    • Immunities
    • Definition of Abuse
    • Definition of Neglect

    Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA). (2013, August 23). Reporting Child Abuse. TSTA. https://www.tsta.org/for_members/reporting-child-abuse/


    The Children's Advocacy Center of Texas has a clear and helpful guide to support educators and provide answers related to reporting child abuse. 
    Included in the guide:
    • Rights and Responsibilities
    • What to expect when making a report and after making a report
    • How to respond to a child who reveals child abuse
    • Guidance for leadership
    • Signs of child abuse

    Children's Advocacy Center of Texas. (n.d.).  A Texas school employee’s guide to reporting suspected abuse and neglect. https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Educators-Guide-2020-English.pdf 
    ]]>     2022-07-17 21:49:03 UTC https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876940     2. School Counselor Interview vtollison https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876954 To better understand practical issues concerning reporting child abuse I was able to interview the school counselor at my elementary school. She described several aspects of reporting child abuse that is a vital part of the role of a school counselor (Giger, V. personal communication, 2022, July 19). Some of the areas include identifying signs of child abuse, reporting child abuse, hosting Child Protective Service (CPS) investigators, and advising teachers. Giger stated that talking with students and CPS investigators occupies a significant part of her time as a school counselor.

    Teachers often ask for advice concerning suspicions of child abuse and there are a few tips that are very important (Giger, V. personal communication, 2022, July 19).
    • Mentally run their suspicions through the criteria for child abuse
    • Report immediately
    • Allow CPS to do the investigation

    One area that is an important topic for educators and school counselors to consider is the area of child abuse prevention (Giger, V. personal communication, 2022, July 19). One way Neblett advocates for child abuse prevention is a collaboration with the local Child Advocacy Center. The Child Advocacy Center representative attends Neblett every year to teach education and prevention classes in every classroom. These classroom lessons focus on safe and unsafe touches. Students are also given an opportunity to speak to the representative in private. The hope is that students will learn to advocate for themselves and identify a support system of people they can tell if they are experiencing child abuse. 


    Vickie Giger
    School Counselor
    Neblett Elementary
    ]]>     2022-07-17 21:49:08 UTC https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876954     1. School Counselor Perspective vtollison https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876989 As an elementary school counselor reporting child abuse is a necessary part of my field. Teachers and other school employees often seek advice on aspects of the laws and best practices pertaining to child abuse reporting. This guide is created for school counselors, teachers, and school staff to help them navigate the laws regarding reporting child abuse. My hope is teachers, staff and other school counselors will be more prepared if they are presented with a need to report child abuse. ]]> 2022-07-17 21:49:14 UTC https://padlet.com/vtollison/q8hk58eq6ybb1o7v/wish/2244876989