Policy and Procedures for Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect T.E.A.M. CONNECTIONS’ Policy and Procedures for Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Annual Training for School Employees

Bledso County Schools is committed to the safety of its students; therefore, all TEAM CONNECTIONS’ certified and non-certified staff are required to receive child abuse training annually. For your convenience and to provide a more effective program, child abuse training is now available electronically and on the school system’s website at www.bledsoecounty.schoolinsites.com . All employees must complete the training by September 20th of each school year. Upon completion, each employee should sign the master Acknowledgement of Completion form that is maintained by the LEAD teacher. This presentation includes the Acknowledgement of Completion. The LEAD teacher is to print and maintain as many copies of this form as necessary. The LEAD teacher must return the Acknowledgement of Completion form annually to the Central Office Contact listed below on or before September 30th of each school year. For more information, please contact Barbara Young, TEAM CONNECTIONS’ Director, 447-2914 or youngb@k12tn.net .

Procedure for School Employees to Report Child Abuse and Neglect Step (1): Call Department of Children’s Services 1-877-237-0004 It is required by State Law and Bledsoe County School Board Policy that any school employee who is aware of possible child abuse or neglect report it directly to DCS. Step (2): Employee notifies school principal of the child abuse report to DCS. Step (3): School Principal notifies Central Office contact of the child abuse report to DCS. Step (4): Notification to parents of abuse on school grounds or while under school supervision - Parents are to be notified within 24 hours of the reported abuse; unless the parents are the suspected abusers. Central Office Contact: Barbara Young, TEAM CONNECTIONS’ Director P.O. Box 369 Pikeville, TN 37367 (423) 447-2914 work / (423) 618-3652 cell

Additional Information The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services web site provides additional information regarding child abuse, the different laws and reporting requirements http://www.state.tn.us/youth/childsafety.htm Or https://www.sworps.tennessee.edu/child_abuse_reporting/start.html

State Law TCA 37-1-403. Reporting of brutality, abuse, neglect or child sexual abuse. (a)  (1) Any person who has knowledge of or is called upon to render aid to any child who is suffering from or has sustained any wound, injury, disability, or physical or mental condition shall report such harm immediately if the harm is of such a nature as to reasonably indicate that it has been caused by brutality, abuse or neglect or that, on the basis of available information, reasonably appears to have been caused by brutality, abuse or neglect.

2005 Changes in TN Law The person who suspects or has knowledge of child abuse or neglect reports directly to DCS.  School system may have internal tracking procedure of all school system reported complaints.  Failure to report is a Class A misdemeanor with a fine of up to $2,500 (was $50).

New Law TCA 37-1-605. [Amended effective January 15, 2011] Reports of known or suspected child sexual abuse - Investigations - Notification to parents of abuse on school grounds or while under school supervision - d) (1) Notwithstanding § 37-5-107 or § 37-1-612 or any other law to the contrary, if a school teacher, school official or any other school personnel has knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect that a child who attends such school may be a victim of child abuse or child sexual abuse sufficient to require reporting pursuant to this section and that the abuse occurred on school grounds or while the child was under the supervision or care of the school, then the principal or other person designated by the school shall verbally notify the parent or legal guardian of the child that a report pursuant to this section has been made and shall provide other information relevant to the future well-being of the child while under the supervision or care of the school. The verbal notice shall be made in coordination with the department of children's services to the parent or legal guardian within twenty-four (24) hours from the time the school, school teacher, school official or other school personnel reports the abuse to the department of children's services; provided, that in no event may the notice be later than twenty-four (24) hours from the time the report was made. The notice shall not be given to any parent or legal guardian if there is reasonable cause to believe that the parent or legal guardian may be the perpetrator or in any way responsible for the child abuse or child sexual abuse.

Bledsoe County Board of Education Policy 6.409 Child Abuse and Neglect Staff members having knowledge or suspicion of any child who is suffering from abuse or neglect shall report such harm immediately. The report shall include: 1. The name, address and age of the child; 2. The name and address of the parents or persons having custody of the child; 3. The nature and extent of the abuse or neglect; 4. Any evidence to the cause or any other information that may relate to the cause or extent of the abuse or neglect.

Bledsoe County Board of Education Policy 6.409 Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations: School administrators and employees have a duty to cooperate, provide assistance and information in child abuse investigations, including permitting child abuse review teams to conduct interviews while the child is at school; the principal may control the time, place and circumstances of the interview, but may not insist that a school employee be present even if the suspected abuser is a school employee or another student. The principal is not in violation of any laws by failing to inform parents that the child is to be interviewed even if the suspected abuser is not a member of the child's household.

What is Child Abuse? Child abuse and neglect occurs when a child is mistreated, resulting in injury or risk of harm. Abuse can be physical, verbal, emotional or sexual.

Forms of Child Abuse Physical Abuse is non-accidental physical trauma or injury inflicted by a parent or caretaker on a child. It also includes a parent's or a caretaker's failure to protect a child from another person who perpetrated physical abuse on a child. In its most severe form, physical abuse is likely to cause great bodily harm or death.

Forms of Child Abuse Physical Neglect is the failure to provide for a child's physical survival needs to the extent that there is harm or risk of harm to the child's health or safety. This may include, but is not limited to abandonment, lack of supervision, life endangering physical hygiene, lack of adequate nutrition that places the child below the normal growth curve, lack of shelter, lack of medical or dental that results in health threatening conditions, and the inability to meet basic clothing needs of a child. In its most severe form, physical neglect may result in great bodily harm or death.

Forms of Child Abuse Emotional Abuse includes verbal assaults, ignoring and indifference or constant family conflict. If a child is degraded enough, the child will begin to live up to the image communicated by the abusing parent or caretaker.

Forms of Child Abuse Sexual Abuse includes penetration or external touching of a child's intimate parts, oral sex with a child, indecent exposure or any other sexual act performed in a child's presence for sexual gratification, sexual use of a child for prostitution, and the manufacturing of child pornography. Child sexual abuse is also the willful failure of the parent or the child's caretaker to make a reasonable effort to stop child sexual abuse by another person.

Possible Child Abuse Signs & Symptoms Behavioral Overly aggressive behavior Explosive, inappropriate behavior, running away Unusual interest in sex Sudden mood changes, unusually emotional, anxious, depressed or withdrawn extreme fatigue or overly passive Obsessed with cleanliness Slowed development in toilet training, motor skills, socialization, and language Regressive behaviors, thumb-sucking, baby talk, curling into fetal position Sleeping disturbances, nightmares, insomnia Eating problems, such as loss of appetite, anorexia, bulimia, or compulsive overeating Self-mutilation, cutting or hurting oneself Performing below grade level in school Fighting or stealing

Possible Child Abuse Signs & Symptoms Emotional Sad, depressed, withdrawn, daydreaming Aggressive behavior Difficulty trusting adults and making friends Low self-esteem, guilty, blaming oneself Memory loss Lack of sufficient care and supervision

Possible Child Abuse Signs & Symptoms Physical Neglected appearance, missing hair or teeth Suspicious or repeated cuts, bruises, welts, or burns Walking in an unusual manner Delayed physical or developmental growth or delays in speech and language Poor coordination and motor skills Psychosomatic illnesses Abdominal or stomach pain Headaches Painful urination, reoccurring urinary tract infections, discharge, pain, itching, or bleeding in the genital or rectal area, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy Bed-wetting Death from injuries, untreated illnesses, or suicide

Possible Child Abuse Signs & Symptoms The presence of one or more of the symptoms, signs, or behaviors listed is not necessarily indicative of abuse or neglect, but are only possible signs and symptoms of child abuse.

Sources Tennessee Code Annotated http://www.state.tn.us/environment/permits/tcalink.shtml Tennessee Department of Children’s Services http://www.tennessee.gov/youth/childsafety.htm Tennessee DCS Child Abuse Reporting Training https://www.sworps.utk.edu/child_abuse_reporting/start.html Tennessee Sex Offender Registry http://www.ticic.state.tn.us/sorinternet/sosearch.aspx Bledsoe County Board of Education Policy http://www.loudoncounty.org Tennessee School Board Association http://www.tsba.net/ J. Michael Taylor, District Attorney General – 423-775-4468 Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Department – 423-447-2197 Dept. of Children’s Services, 423-447-6137

It should not hurt to be a child. Report Child Abuse 1-877-237-0004 Template shared by: Loudon County Schools Revisions by: Barbara Young TEAM CONNECTIONS’ Director Bledsoe County Schools It should not hurt to be a child.

Acknowledgement of Completion Child Abuse Training viewed online @ www.bledsoecounty.schoolinsites.com Training is to be completed by September 15th School Year ______ Supervisor is to return this form annually to Barbara Young by September 30th. Training records are to be maintained for 3 years. School/Department: _________________________________________________Number of Pages: ______________ Name/Date