Littleton Public Schools Regulation

Policy Code    JLF-R Policy Name    Reporting Child Abuse/Child                                  Protection Adoption            October 26, 1995 Revised

District Employee Responsibilities

Reporting Requirement.  Suspected abuse or neglect by a member of the child’s family must be reported to the appropriate county department of social services serving the child’s home address. Suspected abuse or neglect by a third party must be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the location of the alleged incident.

Contents.  The initial telephone report should include the nature and extent of the child’s injuries or neglect, or relay any report made by the child of the abuse or neglect he or she alleges. Either type of report should include any evidence of previously known or suspected abuse or neglect to the subject child or his or her siblings.

      The oral report should be followed promptly by a written report on the Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Form. (See associated exhibit.) Copies of the written form must be sent to the appropriate county department of social services or law enforcement agency, to the school principal, and to the director of special programs.

Confidentiality.  The fact that a report has been made shall be kept confidential by school employees.

Investigation.  It is the sole responsibility of the department of social services or local law enforcement agency to investigate reports of child abuse or neglect. District personnel shall not: (1) alert parents/guardians to the fact a report of child abuse has been made; (2) contact an abuse or neglect subject’s family or other person to determine the cause of suspected abuse or neglect; (3) make home visitations for investigative purposes; (4) question the child about the investigative process or its results; (5) take the child anywhere for medical treatment, except in the case of emergency; or (6) convey messages between the investigating agency and the child’s parents or guardian. However, District personnel shall permit agency investigators to interview the child on District premises, make themselves (District personnel) available to agency investigators, and provide any additional information such investigators may require, including student health or other records. Investigators’ access to such records does not require parental consent.

Principal’s Responsibility.  The principal of a school in which an incident of child abuse or neglect is suspected shall: (1) determine when and how the reporting employee became aware of the suspected abuse or neglect; (2) review District policy and procedure on reporting child abuse or neglect with the employee to ensure that the employee is fully informed on the subject; (3) assist the employee in completing the required report(s); and (4) assist the employee in determining the correct agency to which to report the suspected abuse or neglect and in routing copies of the report to authorized recipients.

District Liaison to the Arapahoe County Department of Social Services.  The District shall maintain a liaison person with the Arapahoe County Department of Social Services. That person shall be responsible for maintaining open communications with the department, aiding District employees in making reports of suspected child abuse and neglect, and training District employees in the requirements of the Child Protection Act of 1987.

Cross Reference: JRA/JRC, Student Records/Release of Information on Students