APPENDIX F: Policy Suggestions in Review

P. 33: The [designate the responsible party] shall be responsible for ensuring that all school staff are provided with in-service training to familiarize them with [at the minimum] the symptoms of child abuse and neglect, their reporting responsibility and procedures, the school protocol, DCF procedures, and their obligations once the case has been reported.

P. 34: The [designate the administrator responsible for the formation] will oversee the formation of a Child Protection Team (henceforth called CPT) which will be responsible for reviewing suspected allegations of child maltreatment. The CPT will consist of [list the job titles] and will meet [weekly/as needed/monthly]. The CPT will be chaired by [designate chairperson] who is responsible for convening meetings.

P. 35: All school staff will be expected to attend [number] hours of training. This training will be provided by the school and will be designed to promote accurate interpretation and effective ongoing application of the protocol.

P. 43: Any educator or support staff member who has reasonable cause to believe that a child is being physically abused, neglected, sexually abused, emotionally injured, sexually exploited or the victim of human trafficking is mandated to report this suspicion. No person so required to report shall be liable in any civil or criminal action by reason of such report if made in good faith.

The staff member who suspects child maltreatment (henceforth referred to as the reporter) should immediately notify the [designated person] who will convene the CPT, which shall meet as soon as possible. The reporter will present their suspicions to the CPT and provide the team with any documentation that may be available. If the CPT deems this a reportable situation, the [designated individual] representing the CPT and the reporter will immediately telephone the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to report and file a 51A report.

If the CPT cannot be convened in a timely manner, and the reporter has determined that there is reasonable cause to suspect child maltreatment or that the child is at immediate risk, the law requires that a mandated reporter shall immediately report such condition to DCF by oral communication and by making a written report within forty-eight hours.

P. 44: The fact that the CPT does not advise reporting a situation to DCF does not preclude an educator from contacting DCF directly if the educator has reasonable cause to believe that the suspected abuse or neglect did occur. The (name of school) will not discharge or in any manner retaliate or discriminate against any person who, in good faith, submits a report of child abuse or neglect.

P. 45: When making the report, the CPT will identify other individuals within the school who may have information about the particular child that is relevant to the alleged abuse or neglect. These individuals should be notified by the CPT so that they may be contacted by DCF.

P. 46: If an educator determines that it is necessary to file a report after school hours, they must notify [designated person or persons]. This individual will notify, by phone if necessary, the members of the CPT. The CPT and the reporter will then be responsible for filing the report with DCF. If the educator making the report feels it is an emergency and is unable to reach the [designated person] or any CPT member in a reasonable amount of time, they should file the report directly with DCF and notify the CPT as soon as possible.

P. 48: After reporting a case to DCF, the [designated reporter], representing the CPT, will monitor the outcome of the report. This information will be kept confidential and will be available only to the CPT and the original reporter.

P. 49: Once the information has been provided to the CPT, no child will be subjected to further emotional stress or risk by being questioned by any member of the team or by other school personnel.