Lancaster County Children & Youth

1. Lancaster County Children & Youth Mandated Reporters & Child Abuse

2. Why do children need protected? • Maltreatment is the 6th largest cause of death for children 14 and under. • Three children die each day as a result of abuse and neglect.

3. Statistics • When a parent kills a child it is an individual tragedy-but when tens of thousands of similar situations take place it is a social tragedy. • In 2011, 34 children died in Pennsylvania from abuse.

4. 24,378 reports of suspected child and student abuse were received. 3,408 reports of suspected abuse were substantiated. Sexual abuse was involved in 53 percent of all substantiated reports. 6,965 children were moved from the setting where the alleged abuse occurred. Statistics--2011

5. Permissive Reporters Anyone at anytime can make a report if they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is being abused. Mandated Reporters Those who come into contact with children in the course of their employment, occupation or practice of their professions. Reporting Suspected Child Abuse

6. Mandated Reporters • Have immunity from any civil or criminal liability if they in good faith: • Make a report • Cooperate with an investigation • Testify in a proceeding arising from child abuse • Take photographs of the child • Remove a child in accordance with the law relating to taking child into protective custody

7. What is Child Abuse? • According to the state’s Child Protection Services Law (CPSL) Section 6303, child abuse is: An incident of child abuse must involve a child, a perpetrator and an act of abuse.

8. CHILD • Any person who is under the age of 18.

9. Perpetrator • A parent of a child. • A paramour of a child’s parent. • An individual 14 years or age or older residing in the same home as the child. • A person responsible for the child’s welfare.

10. Types of Abuse • Physical • Emotional • Sexual • Serious Physical Neglect • Imminent Risk

11. Physical Abuse • Any recent act or failure to act that causes non-accidental serious physical injury to a child under 18 years of age. • Serious physical injury to a child is a physical condition that: Causes severe pain OR significantly impairs functioning, either temporarily or permanently.

12. Physical Abuse It may include severe shaking, beating, kicking, punching, or burning that results in minor marks, bruising or even death. Possible symptoms: • Unexplained bruises, burns or welts. • Child unable to explain an injury or explanation is inconsistent with injury.

13. Emotional Abuse • Any act or failure to act by a perpetrator that causes non-accidental serious mental injury to a child under 18 years of age. • Serious mental injury is a psychological condition, as diagnosed by a physician or licensed psychologist, including the refusal of appropriate treatment.

14. Emotional Abuse • Renders a child chronically and severely anxious, agitated, depressed, socially withdrawn, psychotic or causes reasonable fear that the child’s life or safety is threatened. • Seriously interferes with a child’s ability to accomplish age-appropriate developmental or social tasks.

15. Sexual Abuse • Any sexual act with a child by an adult or older child. • Includes fondling or rubbing the child’s genitals, penetration, incest, rape, indecent exposure, using the child for prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.

16. Serious Physical Neglect • Occurs when a child has a physical condition which endangers the child’s life or development or impairs the child’s functioning. The condition must result from: • Prolonged or repeated lack of supervision; or • The failure to provide the essentials of life, including adequate medical and dental care.

17. Imminent Risk • Is threatened harm. Any recent act or failure to act that creates an imminent risk of serious physical injury or sexual abuse. Example: A mother’s boyfriend has a criminal history involving sex crimes to a child.

18. Exclusions to Child Abuse • No child shall be deemed to be physically or mentally abused based on injuries that result solely from ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS that are beyond the control of the parent or person responsible for the child’s welfare, such as inadequate housing, furnishings, income, clothing or medical care.

19. Exclusions to Child Abuse • Accidental Injuries • Religious Beliefs

20. Student Abuse • Serious bodily injury to or sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a student by a school employee. • In 2007, 18 reports of suspected student abuse were investigated in PA. 28 were substantiated and involved sexual abuse.

21. Reporting How to make a report

22. Making a report • Important to follow the protocol established by your organization. • Call Children and Youth directly- (717)299-7925 • Call Childline- 1-800-932-0313 • Childline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

23. Making a report • A mandated reporter must make a written follow-up report to the investigating County Children and Youth Agency within 48 hours. • This form is referred to as a CY-47.

24. REPORTING WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I MAKE A REPORT?

25. Phone call, letter, or in person • Intake worker receives the information from the referent. • Collateral contacts are made-schools, police, daycares or other professional contacts. • Supervisor decides how to handle case. • CPS: Child Abuse Investigation • GPS: Neglect Issues • Information Only: Does not warrant investigation

26. Reporting Tips • Know specifics of injury-who,what,when,where • Know as much identifying information as possible • Questions asked help to determine risk to child • Not questioning judgment • Call in reports early • Entitled to feedback on CPS referrals.

27. Investigation Agency has up to 30 days for abuse investigation and 60 days to conduct a neglect assessment of the family. For Child Abuse Reports: -Child’s safety must be immediately assured and a safety plan developed. -Child must be seen within 24 hours.

28. Variables affecting a child’s response • Age of child • Length of time abused • Frequency of the abuse • Nature of relationship with the abuser • Type of abuse • Availability of support to the child

29. Disposition of the Case • UNFOUNDED STATUS: The evidence cannot support a finding of abuse in view of the law’s requirement. • INDICATED STATUS: Substantial evidence of abuse exists based on available medical evidence, admission of act and/or agency investigation. • FOUNDED STATUS: Given to cases if the court has ruled that a child was abused.

30. Disposition of the Case Family is opened to receive further Agency services. Family was referred to other community services. Assessment provided services, no further services warranted.

31. General Protective Services • Protect the safety, rights and welfare of children so that they have an opportunity for healthy growth and development. • Assist parents in recognizing and remedying conditions harmful to their children and fulfilling their parental duties without putting their children at risk. • Prevent the potential harm for a child.

32. Eight Areas of Neglect • Food • Shelter • Health Care (mental, medical and dental) • Clothing

33. Eight Areas of Neglect • Supervision • Education as required by law • Protection from physical, sexual and emotional harm • Personal Care

34. GPS reports will not be numbered by Childline. GPS assessments are completed to determine if neglect has occurred. Neglect is not reportable to law enforcement. CPS reports are numbered by Childline. CPS investigations are completed to determine if child abuse has occurred. Some types of child abuse are reportable to law enforcement. GPS and CPS Compared

35. Oral initial notifications regarding the receipt of GPS referrals are necessary. Written notification is required if the family has been accepted for service. Oral and written initial notifications are required for CPS Reports. Written notification is required at the end of the investigation regardless of case acceptance. GPS and CPS Compared

36. Cultural Asian Hispanic Afro-American Amish Russian Religious Christianity Amish Christian Science Cultural Understanding

37. Asian • Coining or Cupping • Done to try to alleviate a child’s illness • The adult heats up a coin or the opening of a cup and rubs it on the back or chest of the child.

38. Christianity • Spare the rod and spoil the child

39. Amish • The Agency has a clear protocol for working with the Amish culture. • Work with a liaison and the church elders in assessing a situation. • Attempts are made to place a child within an Amish household.

40. Did You Know? • Child abusers are found among all socio-economic, religious and ethnic groups and most often are ordinary people trapped in a stressful situation. • Caregivers and birth parents of a child younger than one year are the most common perpetrators of fatal abuse. • Every 10 seconds in America a child is abused.

41. Did You Know? • More than three children in the U.S. die each day as a result of parental abuse. • Child molestation is most often perpetrated by relatives, acquaintances rather than strangers. • Abused children are 25 times more likely to repeat a grade. • 85% of long-term prisoners were abused children.

42. Lancaster County Children & Youth Agency Safe Children and Healthy Families are a Shared Responsibility