5. CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

1. Mandated Reporter

1. 1. All employees and volunteers are required, by State law s.48.981, Stats., to report known or suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the county welfare agency, sheriff or city police.
   2. A mandated reporter is a person who witnesses or has reasonable knowledge to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected and is required to contact the proper authority (county department of social or health and human services or law enforcement) immediately.
   3. The witness or the person who has reasonable knowledge to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected will be the person to make the report (see section D below: Reporting Suspected Abuse or Neglect of a Child).

2. Abusive Head Trauma (formerly Shaken Baby Syndrome)

1. 1. Every staff member who is counted in the staff-to-child ratio and who works directly with children 5 years of age or younger receives training in Abusive Head Trauma prior to working with children.
   2. The training teaches strategies for dealing with anger and frustrations related to a crying child.
   3. The training is provided by an approved trainer and includes certain required information and activities. A certificate awarded at the end of the training is proof of training.

3. Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect

The major signs of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect are identified below. Although one of these or even several in combination may not indicate that abuse has occurred, they may indicate accidents or that other medical conditions, emotional illness, or problems exist. However, if a number of these signs occur together or if they reoccur frequently, child abuse and neglect may be suspected.

1. 1. Signs of Possible Physical Abuse: Bruises; welts; injuries in the shape of objects (belt, cord); unexplained burns; fractures that do not fit the story of injury; delay in seeking medical help; extremely aggressive or withdrawn behavior or fearfulness of family or other adults.
   2. Signs of Possible Emotional Abuse: Low self-esteem, self- denigration, severe depression, aggression, withdrawal, severe anxiety, failure to learn or thrive.
   3. Signs of Possible Sexual Abuse: Pain, swelling, itching in genital areas; bruises, bleeding, discharge in genital area; difficulty walking or sitting; frequent urination pain; stained or bloody underclothing; venereal disease; refusal to take part in physical activity; poor peer relationships; unusual interest in sex for age; drastic change in achievement of age-appropriate tasks; runaway or delinquent; regressive behavior; insomnia; night terrors; depression.
   4. Signs of Possible Neglect: Neglect means failure to provide necessary care, food, clothing, medical or dental care, or shelter so as to seriously endanger the physical health of the child. Possible signs include: Poor hygiene; inappropriate dress for weather; need of medical or dental care; left alone unsupervised for long periods; failure to thrive; constant hunger, begs for or steals food; extreme willingness to please; frequent absence from the center.

4. Reporting Suspected Abuse or Neglect of a Child

1. 1. Any staff member who has concerns about a child being abused must bring it to the immediate attention of the Director.
   2. Together the staff member and Director will decide if it is a reportable situation and who will report. If any party believes that indicators are consistent with possible abuse or neglect, a report shall be made immediately. When there is disagreement about whether to report, the person with the suspicion shall make the report.
   3. Reports shall be made to the UW Police Department at 608-264-2677 and Dane County Department of Human Services (608-261-5437). The caller will be asked to provide the parent/guardian and child’s name and address, the child’s date of birth, and the reasons for making the report.
   4. All staff will follow directions given by the assigned Social Services worker and/or police officer and cooperate fully with the investigation. Wisconsin’s child abuse reporting law authorizes agencies, under some circumstances, to contact, observe, or interview a child who is the subject of a report of suspected abuse or neglect at any location, except the child’s home, without permission from the child’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian, and without a court order. Specifically, the law authorizes such contact if it is necessary to determine if the child is in need of protection or services. (s. 48.981 (3) (c)1. b., Stats.) If an individual from a law enforcement agency arrives at your center to do an interview, please call UWPD at 608-264-2677 to inform them of what is taking place. Dispatch will send a UWPD officer to come and assist with facilitation and interviewing
   5. After the report has been made and Social Services have an opportunity to respond, the Director may notify the parent/guardian(s) that a report has been made.

5. Reporting of Abuse Complaints Against a Staff Member

1. 1. If someone has concerns about whether a staff member abused or neglected a child at school, the concern must be brought to the immediate attention of the Director. If the concern is about the Director, the staff member must tell the Director’s supervisor.
   2. Together, the two parties will decide if it is a reportable situation and who will report it. If either believes that indicators are consistent with possible abuse or neglect, a report shall be made immediately. When there is disagreement about whether or not to report, the person with the suspicion shall make the report.
   3. Reports shall be made to Reports shall be made to Dane County Department of Human Services (608-261-5437)
   4. The caller shall provide all information requested by the department.
   5. Staff will follow directions given by the assigned Social Services worker and cooperate fully with the investigation.
   6. After the report has been made and Social Services has had an opportunity to respond, the Director will notify appropriate people in the Dean’s office and follow their instructions on how to proceed.
   7. The Director will notify the Daycare Licensing specialist within 24 hours of reporting suspected abuse or neglect of a child by a staff member or of any inappropriate discipline of a child by a staff member during the child’s hours of attendance.

6. Protective Behaviors for Staff

The following practices are protective behaviors to help minimize the chance of a staff member being accused of abusing a child:

1. 1. Maintain required staff/child ratios at all times.
   2. Children may never be taken to the home of a staff member.
   3. Be vigilant in supervising the children's play. Sexual play and exploration should be stopped and redirected to more appropriate school behaviors.
   4. Visually inspect each child every morning for scratches, cuts, bruises, or other signs of injury. Bring the injuries to the attention of the family before they leave and to another staff member. Record non-school injuries in the injury and medication report book.
   5. Maintain an "open door" policy with families in the program. Encourage them to drop in at any time to observe the program. Welcome their presence.
   6. Children are to remain clothed throughout the day including during nap.
   7. Follow the Preschool's procedures for toileting and diaper changing. Do not close the bathroom door while assisting children with toileting. Encourage independence when appropriate (i.e., children can help with wiping and cleaning up). Never allow children to go to the bathroom unsupervised. Maintain regular communication with families regarding daily routines including toileting and diapering.
   8. Take security precautions. Question the identity and business of every adult who enters the area who is not known to you. Ask strangers with no business in the building to leave immediately. Remove children from the presence of any potential problem. Call the police (911) immediately if a stranger refuses to leave immediately.
   9. Use positive guidance. Never use punishment which is humiliating or frightening or any other form of corporal punishment.
   10. Use self-calming strategies to avoid becoming frustrated by a crying child. (Refer to information learn in the Shaken Baby Syndrome training)
   11. Maintain good family communication. Make sure families know and understand the policies and procedures of the school. Communicate school happenings daily, (i.e., report what kind of day the child had.)
   12. Follow the school accident reporting procedure. Provide families with a written accident report for all accidents the child has at school that involve the head, leave a mark on the body, or require treatment of any kind. Verbally communicate to families any minor injuries that do not require a report.