Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD - PowerPoint Presentation

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Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD

Reporting

It's not just what's right...

IT'S THE LAW!

Child Abuse

Child Abuse and Neglect

What the Law

R

equires

Warning Signs of Abuse

Warning Signs of Neglect

Reporting Procedures

Report of Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect

TX Statue 261.101 requires a person having cause to believe that a child’s

physical, mental health or welfare

has been adversely affected by

abuse or neglect

by any person to immediately make a report. The person shall make a report no later than the 48th hour the professional first suspects the child has been or may be abused or neglected. A professional may not delegate to or rely on another person to make the report for them.

TX Statue 261.109 declares a person commits an offense if the person has cause to believe that a child’s physical, mental health, or welfare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect and knowingly fails to make a report.

An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, 180 days in jail, or both.

Child Abuse and Neglect

Child Abuse and NeglectPhysical Abuse

Physical abuse is a physical injury that results in substantial harm to the child, such as bruises, fractures, or death. It can also include a genuine threat of harm, even if there is no visible injury.

Warning SignsFrequent injuries Burns or bruises in an unusual patternInjuries that appear after child isn’t seen for several daysFrequent complaints of pain without obvious injury

Fear of going home or seeing parentFrequent absences without reasonable explanationWearing unseasonable clothesLack of reaction to painReluctance to sit downPassive, withdrawn, and/or emotionless behavior

Change in behavior

Child Abuse and NeglectEmotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is an action that results in a marked impact on a child's growth, development, or psychological functioning. Emotional abuse includes extreme forms of punishment such as confining a child in a dark closet, habitual scapegoating, or belittling to the point that it results in noticeable effects on the child's daily functioning.

Warning SignsExcessively withdrawn, fearful, or anxious about doing something wrongShows extremes in behaviorDoesn’t seem to be attached to the parent or

caregiverActs either inappropriately adult or inappropriately infantile

Child Abuse and NeglectSexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is sexual conduct harmful to a child's mental, emotional, or physical welfare. This includes fondling a child’s genitals, penetration, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or producing pornography. Warning

SignsDifficulty in sitting or walkingPhysical signs of sexually transmitted disease(s)Physical signs of injury to the genital areaPregnancy in a young girlExtreme fear of being alone with adults, especially of a particular sex

Sexually suggestive, inappropriate, or promiscuous behaviorKnowledge about sexual relations that is not age appropriate Drawings/writings with strong or bizarre sexual themesSexual victimization of other children

Child Abuse and NeglectNeglect

There are various types of neglect including:Neglectful supervision Medical neglect Physical neglect

Abandonment and refusal to accept parental responsibility Failure to protect a child Warning SignsObvious malnutritionTorn and/or dirty clothesLack of personal cleanliness

Obvious fatigue and listlessnessBegs for, or steals, foodUnattended for long periods of timeNeeds glasses, dental care, or other medical attentionFrequent absence or tardiness without reasonable explanation

Child Abuse and NeglectCPS Reporting Procedures

Any person making a report to DFPS is immune from civil or criminal liability as long as the report is made in good faith.The reporter’s name is

confidential.Call the Texas abuse and neglect hotline at 1-800-252-5400.Non-emergency reports can be made online at www.txabusehotline.org.Be specific and provide as much information as possible, including demographic information.

Document the date and time of the report and the case number.Follow up with a counselor and/or administrator any time you feel it would benefit the child.

Child Abuse and NeglectWhat Happens When a Report is Made?

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) takes the information from the person reporting. They will take as little or as much information as you can provide. It is helpful if you can provide name, age, address of child and/or siblings, parent contact information, brief description of situation, current

injuries and your contact information. CPS may choose to do nothing with the information.CPS may choose to send the information out for investigation. When this happens they will speak to the child and family within 10 days. They may also contact you for follow up questions.

Your identity is confidential and is not revealed to the family when a report is made.

Child Abuse and NeglectWhat If I Am Unsure of What To Do?

Come speak to a counselor! We are all available to give you guidance on whether certain situations need to be reported to CPS or not. Trust your instincts—if you are not comfortable with the information you learned, it probably needs to be reported to CPS

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Suicidal Ideation

Suicidal Ideation

Suicide Warning SignsSudden disinterest in favorite extracurricular activitiesSubstance abuse, including alcohol and drugs (illegal or legal)

Behavioral problemsWithdrawing from family and friendsSleep changesChanges in eating habitsBegins to neglect hygiene or personal appearanceEmotional distress brings on physical distress (aches, fatigues, migraines)Hard time concentrating and paying attention

Suicidal Ideation

Suicide Warning Signs (Continued)Risk taking behaviorsComplains more frequently of boredom

Does not respond as before to praiseDeclining gradesLoss of interest in schoolworkNot all of these warning signs will be present in cases of possible suicidal ideation. Just because one of these symptoms is present does not necessarily mean that a student is experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Suicidal Ideation

Indications of a Suicide PlanThe following are things that may indicate someone is contemplating or planning suicide:

Making statements like…“I’m thinking of committing suicide” or “I want to kill myself” or “I wish I could die”Using verbal hints such as: “I want you to know something, in case something happens to me” or “ I won’t trouble you anymore”Giving away favorite belongings, or promising them to friends and family

membersThrowing away important possessionsShowing signs of extreme cheerfulness following periods of depression

Creating suicide notes

Expressing bizarre or unsettling thoughts on occasion

Suicidal Ideation

Seeking HelpSuicide warning signs are serious calls for help. Acknowledging these warning signs and seeking help for the problem can help prevent suicide.

School Employees who identify a student as expressing the desire to harm themselves or others are REQUIRED to IMMEDIATELY contact the intervention counselor, counselor or administrator.

The student is to remain under adult supervision at all times.If you can not reach a counselor please contact an administrator and they will notify the appropriate personnel.