united school employees of pasco usep. child abuse investigations
TRANSCRIPT
Public School Employees are Professionally Mandated
Reporters
Per Chapter 39 of Florida Statutes, school personnel are obligated to know and follow procedures for reporting suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to Department of Children and Families/Child Protective Investigations (CPI).
Responsibility as Mandatory Reporter
At the moment there is reasonable suspicion, school personnel, as mandatory reporters, are required to call CPI immediately• without delay, • without investigation, • and without need for approval.
Responsibility as Mandatory Reporter Notifying an administrator or
supervisor of concerns is NOT enough.
Failure to report can result in criminal charges and/or termination from employment. Instructional staff may also lose their
teaching certificate.
Responsibility as Mandatory Reporter Reporters are not to notify the
person being reported. Mandatory reporters cannot file
reports anonymously, however names are held confidential.
FLORIDA ABUSE HOTLINE: 1-800-96-ABUSE
If you find yourself confronted by law enforcement and/or
Child Protective Services, what should you do?
Question #1
Am I under investigation?
YES
Stay calmDetermine
which agencies are present
NO
Answer any questions honestly
Agencies that may be involved:
District Representative –Employee Relations or Administrator
Child Protective Investigators (CPI) –a state agency that looks out for the welfare of the child; they are not law enforcement
Law Enforcement –Sheriff’s Office, including SRO
Question #2
Am I free to leave?
YES
Contact USEP for guidance
NO
Remain calm
If law enforcement is present, remain
silent and request an attorney
Advocate for Representation
“I am willing to cooperate with the investigation; however, I
am requesting that the interview be rescheduled at a
time when I can have a representative of my choice
present.”
Question #3
May I have representation?
YES
Contact USEP for guidance
NO
If law enforcement is present, remain silent and request an attorney
“My natural inclination is to cooperate and I’d
like to consult counsel.”
Use Your Best Judgment
The investigators may be willing to offer insight into the allegations.
If Employee Relations is present during questioning, you may be subject to disciplinary action even if CPI returns no findings.
Proceed with caution!