Child Abuse Reporting by Whitney Carothers https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke Made with swagger en-us 2021-07-20 03:59:34 UTC 2025-11-02 12:34:13 UTC hello@padlet.com Slide #1: Professional Perspective wcarothers https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655562931 School counselors serve as advocates for students and are required to know legal obligations related to child abuse reporting. School counselors provide professional development to help teachers learn the signs of abuse, and how and where they should make a report if abuse is suspected. Professionals employed by the school are mandated reporters and required by law to report suspected child abuse. The information in this guide will inform teachers and others working in the district of their legal obligations regarding child abuse reporting as well as provide other resources such as links to online trainings. ]]> 2021-07-20 04:01:54 UTC https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655562931 Slide #2: Summary of Topic wcarothers https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655571880 As educators, we have a responsibility to advocate for student safety. If child abuse is suspected, it is important that we are educated how and where to report abuse.

In the past year, many students were isolated and kept home due to the COVID 19 pandemic. During this time of high stress, the risk of child abuse increased. Because of this, students may have gone days or even weeks without leaving their homes or being seen. As we return to school, signs and symptoms of abuse may become apparent and we need to be prepared.  ]]> 2021-07-20 04:10:36 UTC https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655571880 Slide #3: Professional Association wcarothers https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655592146 The American School Counselor's Association's position statement on child abuse and neglect prevention defines abuse and outlines the school counselor's related to abuse. 

Beyond reporting child abuse, school counselors are expected to: 
  • Understand the impact of abuse
  • Provide intervention
  • Make referrals 
  • Engage families
  • Identify barriers within families that may lead to abuse
  • Respond to instances of abuse
  • Provide professional development to staff, families, and the school community

American School Counselor Association. (2019). ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs, 4th edition. Alexandria, VA: Author.
]]> 2021-07-20 04:31:31 UTC https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655592146 Slide #4: Current News Article wcarothers https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655611997 The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant affect of victims of child abuse. According to the article: 
  • School closures, loss of income, and social isolation increased the risk for child abuse. 
  • During the pandemic, the yearly percentage of hospitalization related to abuse and neglect increased significantly. 
  • Reports of child abuse declined due to the lack of contact between victims and mandated reporters. 
Swedo, E., Idaikkadar, N., Leemis, R., Dias, T., Radhakrishnan, L., Stein, Z., Chen, M., Agathis, N., & Holland, K. (2021, January 14). Trends in U.S. Emergency Department Visits Related to. . . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6949a1.htm#suggestedcitation
]]> 2021-07-20 04:51:34 UTC https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655611997 Slide #5: Current News Article wcarothers https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655630913 This article in Education Week describes the changes in child abuse reporting and the severity of abuse that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic when students were not able to attend school. Students being in contact with mandated reporters serves a very important role to identify and prevent child abuse. Child abuse case are expected to increase exponentially as students are back in classrooms. So much so that some states are improving teacher trainings related to mandated reporting and clarifying signs and symptoms used to identify abuse.

Sparks, S. D. (2021, June 9). 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]]> 2021-07-20 05:14:53 UTC https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655630913 Slide #6: Statutory Law wcarothers https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655643757 Texas Family Code § 261

This law states who is required to report child abuse and the amount of time given for a person to make a report. According to the statute, teachers are mandated reporter and are given 48 hours to make a report of suspected child abuse.

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/pdf/FA.261.pdf ]]> 2021-07-20 05:32:17 UTC https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655643757 Slide #7: Judicial Law wcarothers https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655646107 Ohio v. Clark, 576 U.S. 237 (2015) 

In the case Ohio v. Clark (2015), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a child’s out-of-court statements to a teacher naming their abuser were admissible to the court as a testimony after the child was ruled as incompetent to testify due to age. 

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/13-1352_ed9l.pdf ]]> 2021-07-20 05:35:59 UTC https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655646107 Slide #8: Administrative Law wcarothers https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655647752 Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect, Including Trafficking of a Child, 19. Tex. Admin. Code §61.1051

This section of the Texas Administrative Code (T.A.C.) requires school districts to adopt policies related to mandated reporting. 
  • Reports must be made within 48 hours. 
Reports must be made to one of four places: 
  • Local or state law enforcement
  • DFPS or CPS
  • Local CPS office
  • State agency responsible for the facility where abuse occurred

This section of the T.A.C. also describes trainings that districts are required to offer staff related to child abuse.

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=19&pt=2&ch=89&rl=1
]]> 2021-07-20 05:38:09 UTC https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655647752 Slide #9: Constitutional Law wcarothers https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655659736 U.S. Const. amend. XIV

The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states that states shall not enforce law that deprive people of life, liberty, or property without due process of the law. This relates to child abuse and child abuse reporting because it gives parents the right to a hearing before children are removed from the home when child abuse is reported. If the child is in immediate danger, the right to a hearing can be waived.

https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-14/ ]]> 2021-07-20 05:54:11 UTC https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655659736 Slide #10: Local Administrative Law/Policy/Rule wcarothers https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655662117
Gatesville ISD. (2020, June 10). Board Policy Manual. Retrieved from
https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/345?filename=FFG(LOCAL).pdf

This administrative law found in the Gatesville ISD School Board Policy Manual gives district employees details about making a report of child abuse. The policy states the four ways a report can be made. The policy also outlines the employee’s responsibility to report abuse.

https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/345?filename=FFG(LOCAL).pdf 
]]> 2021-07-20 05:57:25 UTC https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655662117 Slide #11: Ethical Principle wcarothers https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655670634 According to the American School Counselors Association Ethical Standards for School Counselors A.11.d., school counselors should: 
  • Learn to recognize and identify signs of child abuse. 
  • Help teachers and students learn to identify signs of abuse and know where to report suspected abuse (ASCA, 2014). 

American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/Ethical-Legal-Responsibilities/ASCA-Ethical-Standards-for-School-Counselors-(1)
]]> 2021-07-20 06:08:03 UTC https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655670634 Slide #12: Non-Law Source wcarothers https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655679545 The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services website provides valuable information related to reporting child abuse. A 24/7 phone number is provided to report abuse along with training videos giving step by step instructions on how to make a report. You will also find a link on the page to help identify signs of abuse. 

Report Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation. (n.d.). Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Retrieved July 20, 2021, from https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/contact_us/report_abuse.asp

]]> 2021-07-20 06:19:20 UTC https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655679545 Slide #13: Recommendations wcarothers https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655687100 With the significant role that teachers and other school officials play in child abuse reporting, it is vital be informed of the legal and ethical obligation to report abuse. These are my recommendations to ensure compliance: 
  • Learn to identify the signs of abuse.
  • Become familiar with your responsibility as a mandated reporter.
  • Report suspected abuse to authorities within 48 hours.
  • Become familiar with the district policy regarding child abuse reporting. 
  • Know how and where to make a report. 
  • If you are unsure of where to make a report, ask the school counselor or an administrator for help. 
]]> 2021-07-20 06:29:34 UTC https://padlet.com/wcarothers/zek2gzfbnest9hke/wish/1655687100