FILE: JGCE
CHILD ABUSE
The Louisiana Child Abuse Statute (La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:403) mandates that all cases of suspected child abuse and neglect be reported by certain persons having reasonable cause to believe that any child is endangered, and it specifically designates principals, teachers, counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, educational consultants, speech and hearing consultants, and any other school employees who must report. (Failure to do so may result in a fine or imprisonment.) To report child abuse, call the LA Child Abuse Hotline at 1-855-452-5437.
Steps to Follow in Case of Suspected Child Abuse
When a mandated reporter (as defined in the above paragraph) in the Vermilion Parish School System has reason to believe that a child has been abused or neglected, he/she will immediately notify the Department of Children and Family Services at 898-1430 or local law enforcement.
As much information as possible will be provided regarding the child, parents, location, and the reason that abuse/neglect is suspected.
There will be no attempt on the part of the school staff to prove the allegation of abuse/neglect before reporting. All that is required to report is a reasonable suspicion of abuse/neglect. Investigation and determination of the validity or invalidity of a report is the responsibility of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
School staff will not notify the parent or guardian of the abused/neglected child that the Department of Children and Family Services is conducting the investigation. It is the agency’s responsibility to notify the parents. No contact by the school will be made with the parent unless requested by after the report has been made.
School staff will not notify the child subject of the arrival of the child protection worker.
When the child protection worker wishes to interview the child in the school, he/she will telephone the principal stating the need to interview the child and verifying that the child is attending school that day. The child protection worker will give the principal his/her name and a phone number which can be used to verify identity.
Upon arrival at the school, the child protection worker will present identification and sign the school visitor’s register.
The principal will send for the child subject and provide a private space for the interview with the child.
A school staff person whom the child knows and with whom he/she feels comfortable may be present during the interview if the child is in agreement with this. If the child objects, a school staff person will not sit in for the interview. Although, if a school staff person sits in on any interview, it is understood that they may be subpoenaed to court in any subsequent court proceedings, and their anonymity as a reporter may be challenged.
Adopted: September 15, 2016
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:403, 15:539, 15:541, 17:81.6
La. Children's Code, Title VI, Art. 601, Art. 603, Art. 609, Art. 610
Board minutes, 9-15-16
Vermilion Parish School Board