MANDATORY CHILD ABUSE REPORTER TRAINING Nora Williams Alabama Department of Human Resources

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT § 26-14-1 Abuse-Harm or threatened harm to a child’s health or welfare through: non-accidental physical or mental injury sexual abuse or attempted sexual abuse sexual exploitation or attempted sexual exploitation. NOTES:

Sexual Abuse incudes: The employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in sexually explicit conduct Any simulation of the conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of the conduct The rape, molestation, prostitution, or other form of sexual exploitation of children Incest with children NOTES:

Sexual exploitation includes allowing, permitting, or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution and allowing, permitting, encouraging, or engaging in the obscene or pornographic photographing, filming, or depicting of a child for commercial purposes. Neglect-Negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child, including the failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical treatment, and supervision. NOTES:

MANDATORY REPORTERS OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT§ 26-14-3 Reports are REQUIRED from all of the following: Hospitals, clinics, sanitariums, doctors, physicians, surgeons, medical examiners, coroners, dentists, osteopaths, optometrists, chiropractors, physical therapists, podiatrists, pharmacists, and nurses Teachers and school officials (public and private, k-12 and postsecondary) Peace officers and law enforcement officials Social workers Daycare workers or employees Mental health professionals Members of the clergy Any other person called upon to render aid or medical assistance to a child

HOW TO REPORT: Orally – Telephone or Direct Communication to DHR or Local Law Enforcement who will in turn report to DHR Followed by Written Report – DHR 1593* Email – Staff at Local County Office Written Correspondence – Local County Office Communication with State D.H.R. *On DHR Website – path: www.dhr.alabama.gov Click on “Quick Links” Click on “Mandated Reporters of Child abuse/Neglect Interactive Training Click on “Make a Report Click on “Written Report of Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect The screen that comes up has the link to the Form 1593 and the Form 1593 Instructions

WHEN MUST I REPORT? If you are among those persons required to report child abuse and neglect and you learn of a child whose condition or injuries are not reasonably explainable as accidental, or if you are called on to treat such injuries, you must report immediately by telephone or in person. The law also requires you to follow your oral report with a written one. The Department of Human Resources has a form for your written report. http://dhr.alabama.gov/documents/Instructions_Form1593.pdf http://dhr.alabama.gov/documents/ChildAbuseForm1593.pdf

INTAKE PROCEDURE Each County has at least one person assigned to accept reports on children that are alleged to be abused/neglected. The information gathered at intake is then given to Child Welfare Staff in the Child Abuse and Neglect unit for assessment. Child Welfare Staff will make immediate contact when information gathered at intake indicates serious harm will likely occur within 24 hours. For situations in which an immediate response is not required, child welfare staff shall respond as quickly as the intake information warrants and no later than 5 calendar days. If the information gathered at intake does not meet the criteria for abuse/neglect, a decision will be made by a Child Welfare Supervisor to accept the report as a Prevention or to screen out the report.

IMMUNITY FOR REPORTERS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT § 26-14-9 Any person, firm, corporation, or official, including members of a multidisciplinary child protection team, quality assurance team, child death review team, or other authorized case review team or panel, by whatever designation, participating in making a good faith report in an investigation or case review authorized under this chapter or other law or department practice or in the removal of a child pursuant to this chapter or participating in a judicial proceeding resulting therefrom, shall, in so doing, be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, that might otherwise be incurred or imposed. NOTES:

PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO REPORT § 26-14-13 Any person who knowingly fails to make the report required by the reporting laws shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a sentence of not more than 6 months imprisonment or a fine of not more than $500. Any public or private employer who discharges, suspends, disciplines, or penalizes an employee solely for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect will be guilty of a Class C Misdemeanor. NOTES:

PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO REPORT § 26-14-13 Any person who knowingly fails to make the report required by the reporting laws shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a sentence of not more than 6 months imprisonment or a fine of not more than $500. Any public or private employer who discharges, suspends, disciplines, or penalizes an employee solely for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect will be guilty of a Class C Misdemeanor. NOTES:

Alabama Child abuse and neglect data report: 2016-2017 Number Reports Received: 28,361 Number Children in Report: 39,750 Indicated Reports: 7,914 Not Indicated: 18,904 Unable to Complete: 1,268 NOTES:

Your reports matter: Alabama data 2016 - 2017 Number of Preventions Received: 11,329 Number of Children Involved: 16,660 Children under age eighteen (18) years who appear to be at risk of maltreatment and the conditions/circumstances described do not constitute a child abuse or neglect allegation. Children in situations that would be considered a CA/N report except for the fact that the person allegedly responsible for abuse/neglect is under age fourteen (14) years. NOTES:

Issues in Alabama Poverty Alabama ranks 15th by poverty rate; 12th for whites, 3rd for Hispanics. Mental Illness or Functional Limitations Over 3000 individuals are served annually in state-operated facilities; over 100,000 received services in certified community-based programs Lack of Community Resources NOTES:

Issues in Alabama Substance Abuse Rise in Heroin Use Crystal Methamphetamines Prescription Pills Alcohol and Marijuana Sexual Abuse Incest Rape Exploitation Sex Trafficking

MANDATORY REPORTER TRAINING: ONLINE! EASY AS 1.2.3. Go to www.dhr.alabama.gov Click on “Services” From the drop down click on “Child Protective Services” Under “More Information”, click on “Mandated Reporters” – link appears NOTES:

Thank you for your service to the children and youth of Alabama!!!!