Revised: August 15, 2005 454
Revised: August 13, 2014
Revised: February 12, 2020
REPORTING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
The Evansville Community School District Board of Education is concerned with the health, safety and welfare of all children and recognizes the legal and ethical obligations that school employees have to report suspected or threatened child abuse or neglect. Therefore the Evansville Community School District requires school employees to carry out those obligations with due diligence in accordance with state law requirements.
In accordance with Wisconsin Law, all Evansville Community School District employees are mandated reporters and must report any threatened or suspected child abuse or neglect. Any school employee having reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected, or if there is reason to believe that a child has been threatened with abuse or neglect and that said abuse or neglect will occur, is required to immediately contact the Human Services Department of the county in which the child resides.
Investigation of child abuse and neglect reports is the legal responsibility of trained county child protective services and/or law enforcement personnel. County agencies may contact, observe or interview a child at school without permission from the child’s parent/guardian or legal custodian if necessary to determine if a child is in need of protection or services.
To assure accurate reporting by mandated District reporters, in-service programming shall be provided in accordance with procedures established by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Minimally, to meet the requirements of Wisconsin Act 81, school boards must require all employees to receive training provided by the DPI on an annual basis and within six (6) months of initial hiring.
Legal Ref.: Sections 48.981 Wisconsin Statutes (Abused or Neglected Children and Abused Unborn Children)
118.07(5) (Health and Safety Requirements)
2011 Wisconsin Act 81
Local Ref.: Policy #454 Form – Child Protective Services Referral
Policy #454 Rule – Procedures for Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglec
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