DENVER HUMAN SERVICES CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE MISSION: PARTNERING WITH OUR COMMUNITY TO PROTECT THOSE IN HARM’S WAY AND HELP ALL PEOPLE IN NEED. Accuracy * Quality * Customer Service

What We Do The Hotline call center processes reports of suspected child abuse / neglect 7 days a week 365 days year (8,873 reports in 2014 and 9,801 reports in 2013). Hours of Operation: 24 Hours staffed by Social Caseworkers (incoming phone calls 28,372 in 2014 and 29,800 in 2013). The Hotline serves as the initial contact between the community and in addition to receiving reports of child maltreatment; Hotline Caseworkers provide information about Denver County’s child protection system, State child abuse laws / definitions and available community based resources. Hotline staff provide community training about Mandatory Reporting, Enhanced Screening and Child Abuse/Neglect Laws. (Since 2013 we have trained 930 agency professionals).

What is Abuse, Neglect as Defined by Colorado Law? The following definitions were taken from Colorado Children’s Code Title 19, & :  Any case in which a child exhibits evidence of skin bruising, bleeding, malnutrition, failure to thrive, burns, fracture of any bone, subdural hematoma, soft tissue swelling, or death and either: Such condition or death is not justifiably explained; the history given concerning such condition is at variance with the degree or type of such condition or death; or the circumstances indicate that such condition may not be the product of an accidental occurrence.  Any case in which a child is a child in need of services because the child's parents, legal guardian, or custodian fails to take the same actions to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision that a prudent parent would take.  Any case in which a child is subjected to emotional abuse. As used in this subparagraph (IV), "emotional abuse" means an identifiable and substantial impairment of the child's intellectual or psychological functioning or development or a substantial risk of impairment of the child's intellectual or psychological functioning or development.  Any case in which a parent, guardian, or legal custodian has abandoned the child or has subjected him or her to mistreatment or abuse or a parent, guardian, or legal custodian has suffered or allowed another to mistreat or abuse the child without taking lawful means to stop such mistreatment or abuse and prevent it from recurring.

Abuse, Neglect as Defined by Law  Any case in which a child is subjected to unlawful sexual behavior.  Any case in which a child lacks proper parental care through the actions or omissions of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian.  Any case in which a child's environment is injurious to his or her welfare.  Any case in which, in the presence of a child, or on the premises where a child is found, or where a child resides, a controlled substance, as defined in section (5), C.R.S., is manufactured or attempted to be manufactured  Any case in which a child tests positive at birth for either a schedule I controlled substance, as defined in section , C.R.S., or a schedule II controlled substance, as defined in section , C.R.S., unless the child tests positive for a schedule II controlled substance as a result of the mother's lawful intake of such substance as prescribed

Abuse, Neglect as Defined by Law Drug schedules: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) r emains a Schedule I controlled substance under CRS Therefore, despite Marijuana legalization in Colorado, a parent who’s child tests positive for THC at birth can be FOUNDED for child neglect by the County Department. A “true” finding can effect one’s employment if you work in Health Care, Child Care, Education, Law Enforcement and other public and possibly private sectors. Additionally, a founded allegation could result in child removal from the home and or greater County involvement with the family.

Reporting Child Abuse  Anyone can report known or suspected child abuse to law enforcement or Child Protective Services  However, certain individuals are compelled by law to report known or suspected child abuse.  Those individuals are commonly known as Mandated Reporters.

Mandated Reporters  Persons required to report child abuse or neglect…who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect or who has observed the child being subjected to circumstances or conditions that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect shall immediately upon receiving such information report or cause a report to be made of such fact to the county department (or) the local law enforcement agency…(C.R.S )  Who is a Mandated Reporter?

Mandated Reporters  Physician or surgeon, including a physician in training  Child health associate  Medical examiner or coroner  Dentist  Osteopath  Optometrist  Chiropractor  Podiatrist  Registered nurse or licensed practical nurse  Hospital personnel engaged in the admission, care, or treatment of patients  Christian science practitioner  Public or private school official or employee  Social worker or worker in any facility or agency that is licensed or certified  Mental health professional  Dental hygienist  Psychologist  Physical therapist  Veterinarian  Peace officer  Pharmacist  Commercial film and photographic print processor  Firefighter  Victim's advocate  Licensed professional counselors  Licensed marriage and family therapists  Registered psychotherapists

Mandated Reporters  Clergy  Registered dietitian who holds a certificate  Worker in the state department of human services  Juvenile parole and probation officers  Child and family investigators  Officers and agents of the state bureau of animal protection, and animal control officers  The child protection ombudsman  Educator providing services through a federal special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children  Director, coach, assistant coach, or athletic program personnel employed by a private sports organization or program.  Person who is registered as a psychologist candidate, marriage and family therapist candidate pursuant, or licensed professional counselor candidate  Emergency medical service providers

Exclusions  You are not mandated to make a report if:  You learn of the suspected abuse or neglect after the alleged victim is eighteen years of age or older; AND  You do NOT have reasonable cause to know or suspect the perpetrator - Has subjected any other child currently under eighteen years of age to abuse or neglect OR  The Perpetrator Is not currently in a position of trust, as defined in section (3.5), C.R.S., with regard to any child currently under eighteen years of age.

“To Be or Not To Be”  Regardless of your professional standing if you know or suspect a child has been abused or neglected contact Child Protective Services or local law enforcement.  Colorado now has one toll-free number to report child abuse and neglect: CO-4-KIDS