Reporting Requirements

1. Reporting Requirements Elneita Hutchins-Taylor, General Counsel Catosha L. Woods, Assistant General Counsel HISD Legal Services Telephone: 713-556-7245

2. Who Must Report Professionals Must Report: -A professional is an individual licensed or certified by the state; an individual who works for a facility licensed or a certified by the state and has direct contact with children. -This includes: • Principals • Teachers • Nurses • School Counselors and Psychologists - You Have an Independent Obligation To Report!

3. What to Report Your Report Must Include: Name and address of the child Name and address of the person responsible for the child Any other pertinent information concerning the alleged or suspected abuse or neglect Belief that a child has been or may be abused or neglected or has died of abuse or neglect

4. When do I Report • Once you have cause to believe a child has been abused, neglected or victim of the offense of Indecency with a child.

5. When do I Report Definition of Abuse: Family Code § 261.001 • Mental or emotional injury to a child that results in an observable and material impairment in the child’s growth, development, or psychological functioning. • Physical injury that results in substantial harm to the child or a genuine threat of substantial harm from physical injury to a child. • Sexual Abuse: sexual conduct harmful to a child’s mental, emotional or physical welfare

6. When do I Report Definition of Neglect: Family Code § 261.001 • The leaving of a child in a situation where the child would be exposed to a substantial risk of physical or mental harm without arranging for necessary care for the child and the demonstration of intent not to return by a parent or other care giver

7. Where Do I Report

8. Where do I Report If the alleged or suspected abuse involves a person responsible for the care, custody, or welfare of the child the report must be made to the department. HOTLINE: 1-800-252-5400 INTERNET REPORTING: www.txabusehotline.org

9. When do I Report • Abuse is NOT a parent’s refusal to consent to administration of a psychotropic drug or to any other psychiatric or psychological testing or treatment, unless you have cause to believe that the refusal: • Presents a substantial risk of death, disfigurement, or bodily injury to the child; or • Has resulted in an observable and material impairment to the growth, development, or functioning of the child.

10. How Long Do I Have to Report ? No later than 48 hours after you first suspect the child: • has been abused or neglected • MAY be abused or neglected • has been a victim of indecency with a child

11. Consequences of Not Reporting

12. Consequences of False Reporting

13. Where to Go For Assistance • Board Policy -- FFG • Legal Services • Employee Relations – Felecia German

14. When You Call Legal Services • What we Will Do: • Walk you through the statute • Be prepared to provide factual basis for your suspicion of abuse or neglect • Be Prepared to answer questions regarding child’s demeanor, prior reports of abuse, etc. • Your Certificate Your Decision • Help you make a decision regarding whether to report • Err on the Side of Reporting!

15. HISD Legal Services 713-556-7245 • Elneita Hutchins-Taylor – General Counsel • Hans Graff – Deputy General Counsel • David Galbraith – Assistant General Counsel • Miles LeBlanc – Assistant General Counsel • Erica Graham – Assistant General Counsel • Katheryn Mardock - Assistant General Counsel • Catosha L. Woods – Assistant General Counsel • Izzy Anderson - Assistant General Counsel

16. Questions?