Code: JHFE-AR
Adopted: 8/22/05
Orig. Code(s): R962
Revised: 1/28/08
Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse
Reporting Guidelines
1. If a district employee suspects that a child has been abused, the employee must report immediately to the Department of Human Services or law enforcement agency. If the report is made during hours in which the Department of Human Services is closed or if a child is in immediate danger, the report will be made to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office or Wasco County Sheriff's Department or Madras City Police Department (agency of child's residence).
2. If known, such report shall contain the names and addresses of the child, the child's parents or other persons responsible for the child's care, the child's age and birth date, the nature and extent of the suspected abuse, the explanation given for the suspected abuse given by the child, any known previous evidence of abuse or neglect, and other information which the person making the report believes might be helpful in establishing the possible cause of the suspected abuse and the identity of the possible perpetrator(s).
3. District employees will complete the required "Suspected Child Abuse" reporting form [(JHFE-AR(2)] and submit the completed form to the District Human Resources Director. It is recommended that the employee keep a copy of the form for their records. Do not file a copy of the form in the student’s records.
Child Abuse by School Employees
Child abuse by school employees in not tolerated, and when school employees become aware of suspected child abuse by an employee, they must report it to the district personnel director in addition to the mandatory report to law enforcement or the Department of Human Services.
The school employee shall immediately inform the personnel director. The personnel director will upon receiving the report investigate it in a timely manner. Upon completion of the investigation, the personnel director will notify the person who initiated the report about actions taken by the district based upon the report.
When the district receives a report of suspected child abuse by one of its employees, and the district determines that there is reasonable cause to support the report, the district shall place the school employee on paid administrative leave until either:
1. The Department of Human Services or a law enforcement agency determines that the report is unfounded or that the report will not be pursued; or
2. The Department of Human Services or a law enforcement agency determines that the report is founded and the district takes the appropriate disciplinary action against the school employee.
If the Department of Human Services or a law enforcement agency is unable to determine, based upon a report of suspected child abuse, whether child. abuse occurred, the district may reinstate a school employee placed on paid administrative leave or may take appropriate disciplinary action against the employee.
The initiation of a report in good faith about suspected child abuse may not adversely affect any terms or conditions of employment or the work environment of the complainant. Neither the Board nor any school employee will discipline a student for the initiation of a report in good faith about suspected child abuse by a school employee.
Upon request from a law enforcement agency, The Department of Human Services, or the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, a school district shall provide the records of investigations of suspected child abuse by a school employee.
Definitions
Oregon law recognizes these types of abuse:
Physical;
Neglect;
Mental injury;
Threat of harm;
Sexual abuse and sexual exploitation;
Buying or selling a child.
"Child" means an unmarried person who is under 18 years of age (under 21 years of age if a resident of Warm Springs).