CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT POLICIES 7.05(3) Children
will be protected from abuse and neglect while in the care of Visions
E.L.C. It
is both duty and policy to report all suspected abuse or neglect immediately
whether said abuse or neglect occurred at home or in the center. All
staff members are informed that child care workers are mandated reporters.
Indicators
of child neglect include: lack of supervision, lack of adequate clothing
or personal hygiene, lack of medical or dental care, and lack of adequate
shelter or nutrition. Indicators
of sexual abuse include: difficulty in walking or sitting, torn, stained,
or bloody underclothing, complaints of pain, itching, or swelling of
the genital area, pain when urinating, bruises or bleeding, vaginal
discharge or infection, venereal disease, and behavioral changes. Indicators
of physical abuse include: bruises or welts, burns, cuts, tears or scrapes,
head injuries, bone injuries, injuries to the stomach area, and behavioral
changes. Teacher's
concerns of abuse are brought to the director's attention immediately.
All observations must be documented and maintained in the child's file.
The parent will be informed that the staff and director are mandated
reporters which means they must report all warranted concerns to the
Department of Social Services pursuant to M.G.L.c. 119,s. 51A. A report
will be filed with the department immediately ( without notification
to the parent if the director feels that the child is at risk.) A written
report (51A) will be filed within 24 hours. From that point D.S.S. will
follow up and the Office For Children will immediately be notified.
All referrals will be filed in the child's file. When written outcome
is received from D.S.S. that too will be placed in the child's file. The
director or designee shall immediately report any suspected abuse or
neglect to the Dept. of Social Services pursuant to M.G.L.c.119,s.51A.
The director or designee shall notify the Office For Children immediately
after filing a 51A or learning that a 51A has been filed, alleging abuse
or neglect of a child while in the care of Violette Visions or during
a program related activity. The
director and staff shall cooperate in all investigations of abuse or
neglect. Cooperation includes: identifying parents of children currently
or previously enrolled at Visions, providing consent for disclosure
to the O.F.C. of information from, and allowing the O.F.C. to disclose
information to, any person and / or agency the O.F.C. may specify as
necessary to the prompt investigation of allegations and the protection
of children. Failure to cooperate may be grounds for suspension, revocation,
or refusal to issue or renew a license. Any
person under investigation by the D.S.S. under a 51A shall not work
with children until said investigation is completed and shows no cause
why said person cannot work with children. To
file a report of abuse or neglect or sexual abuse: call the department
of Social Services at 1-800-922-8169. This number is staffed 24 hours
per day, 7 days per week. The Worcester D.S.S. number is 508-791-1200. |
