Policy 1030 Implementation Procedures - Child Abuse and Neglect

All employees of the Howard County Public School System(HCPSS) who suspect that a child or a vulnerable adult has been subject to abuse or neglect are to follow the following steps and procedures in reporting. Section IV.B. of the policy contains additional details regarding responsibility for reporting and protection for doing so.

The principal will permit DSS and/or the police to interview the alleged student victim or non-victim witness in school in relation to the reported suspicion of abuse or neglect in accordance with Standard IV.D.5. of the policy.

Principals/designees will appoint school-based liaisons from among their student services employees. School-based liaisons will communicate with DSS and/or the police, coordinate support for students who are suspected of being abused or neglected, participate in meetings of the Multi-Disciplinary Team as needed, and assist with training of school-based employees.

When students who are 18 years of age or older, and who are not vulnerable adults, report that they may be victims of abuse or neglect, employees, contactors, and volunteers must report the information to the school-based liaison and/or other student services employees to determine further action and to consider whether there are violations of other HCPSS policies.

The Superintendent will address instances of reported abuse and neglect involving an HCPSS employee in accordance with Standards IV.F. and IV.G. of the policy. Allegations of abuse or neglect against an employee, contractor or volunteer must be conducted by DSS and the police. Once a report of suspected abuse or neglect has been made, the school system cannot conduct any further investigations without the express approval of DSS or the police. However, the school system must always investigate abuse and neglect allegations against an employee, contractor or volunteer, even when law enforcement or DSS closes out a report without taking action.

All records concerning abuse and neglect are to be maintained in a confidential manner. Section IV.C. of the policy contains details regarding maintenance, retention, and disclosure of records and should be referred to for further information.

The HCPSS will collaborate with the DSS and be actively involved in multidisciplinary meetings with regard to investigations and support services, in accordance with Standard IV.H. of the policy. School-based liaisons and other appropriate school employees are expected to provide support and to participate in team meetings as appropriate in accordance with Standard IV.E. of the policy.

The HCPSS will provide for appropriate professional development to ensure that all employees will carry out this policy,in accordance with Standard IV.I. Professional development will include notice that the law provides immunity from any liability or criminal penalty to all those who participate in good faith in the making of a report, in an investigation, or any judicial proceedings resulting from such a report.

The Director of Staff Relations will serve as the custodian of the confidential files regarding HCPSS employees, contractors or volunteers who become the subject of abuse and neglect, or who fail to report abuse or neglect. The Director of Staff Relations will provide statistical data to the Office of Student Services for the annual report. This will include the number of reports made by employees, contractors or volunteers involving accusations against employees, contractors or volunteers and the final dispositions of those reports by action taken.

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