Admissions Process
The policy must specifically mention a requirement for employee training on the ethical conduct standards. It must also contain the duty of school staff to report alleged employee or administrator misconduct that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student and the procedures for reporting alleged employee or administrator misconduct.
Once it is suspected or known that abuse is occurring, a report must be made to the Florida DCF Abuse Hotline within 48 hours. There are four methods of contact; please note that the preferred method of contact is by telephone. If you are unable to get through immediately, stay on the line. If it is an emergency and you cannot wait, call 911. Modes of contact are:
1-800-96-ABUSE(1-800-962-2873)
By Telephone
1-800-914-0004
By Fax
http://www.state.fl.us/cf_web
Web Reporting
Three basic forms of child maltreatment are recognized
The abuse of a child
Abuse represents an action against a child. It is an act of commission and is characterized in three categories:
- Physical abuse – non-accidental injury of a child.
- Sexual abuse– any act of a sexual nature upon or with a child. The act may be for the sexual gratification of the perpetrator or a third party.
- Emotional abuse – chronic acts that interfere with the psychological and /or social development of the child.
The neglect of a child
Abuse represents an action against a child. It is an act of commission and is characterized in three categories:
- Physical neglect – failure to meet the requirements basic to a child’s physical development, such as supervision, housing, clothing, medical attention, nutrition, and support.
- Emotional neglect – failure to provide the support and/or affection necessary to the child’s psychological and social development.
- Educational neglect – failure to ensure a child’s opportunity to learn in a school or home environment.
The child’s endangering
- Endangering of a Child – creating a substantial risk to the health or safety by violating a duty of care, protection, or support.