Policy 8580: Child Abuse and Neglect (Rules)

Procedure for Reporting 

To comply with the child protection law, any school staff who suspects that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare is being adversely affected by abuse or neglect, shall immediately report such suspicions in the following manner: 

1. Identify suspected child abuse and or neglect.
   1. Any school staff who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect shall report the matter to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) personally and directly.
   2. Any person making a report should telephone a complaint to Child Protective Services (CPS) and notify school administration. Electronic filing is also available. Contact the MDHHS for directions. 
2. Submit completed MDHHS-3200 form within 72 hours.
   1. The reporting person may request the assistance of the Protective Services Unit in completing the report.
3. Copy school administration with written report as filed with CPS.
   1. The administrator shall submit a written copy of the MDHHS-3200 report and subsequent communications to Community and Student Affairs.
   2. GRPS Community and Student Affairs shall keep a copy of the reports and subsequent communications.
4. Police involvement should be determined by the Protective Services Unit, except in cases of criminal acts and/or in cases of extreme emergency.
5. Any school employee, volunteer, or vendor who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been physically abused, neglected, sexually abused or exploited by a District employee such as an administrator, teacher, counselor, nurse or other staff person shall also:
   1. Immediately make a written report to the administrator of the child’s school attendance or the administrator's immediate supervisor.
   2. If the complaint is against a staff member, the GRPS Department of Labor Relations shall also be notified immediately. 

In addition to those persons required to report child abuse or neglect, any person, including a child, who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect, may report the matter to the Kent County Victim Services Unit or to the Grand Rapids Police Department. 

Unauthorized disclosure of child abuse information to persons other than school administrators, law enforcement personnel or MDHHS, may result in criminal and/or civil sanctions. 

Other Responsibilities and Procedures 

1. The child, of whom physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation is suspected, may be observed and/or questioned at school, during school hours, by school personnel, Protective Services staff, or police without the permission of the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the child, for purposes of ascertaining possible physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation. A minimal number of interviews and interviewers is optimal.
2. No child at school shall be subjected to an examination which requires the child to remove his/her clothing to expose his buttocks or genitalia or her breasts, buttocks or genitalia, unless a court order permits such an examination.
3. The child, of whom physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, or sexual exploitation is suspected, may be released to the Protective Services Unit or to the police during school hours, only with the permission of the parent(s)/guardian(s), or a court order requiring the child's release. If the child is released by court order, the parent(s)/guardian(s) must be notified (or reasonable attempts made to notify) by a school official.
4. The principal will meet with the reporting person and appropriate staff to plan for support services to be provided to the student.
5. The principal will provide a confidential written copy of the support plan to Community and Student Affairs within five days.
6. The identity of suspecting and/or reporting person shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed by a school official, other than to the Protective Services Unit or police, only with the consent of that person or by judicial process.
7. Information regarding the policy will be distributed to all employees. 

Definitions: 

Child means a person under 18 years of age. 

Child Abuse means harm or threatened harm to a child's health or welfare by a parent, legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child's health or welfare or by a teacher or teacher's aide that occurs through non-accidental physical or mental injury; sexual abuse; sexual exploitation; or maltreatment. 

Child Neglect means harm or threatened harm to a child's health or welfare by a parent, legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child's health or welfare that occurs through either of the following: Negligent treatment, including the failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care. Placing a child at an unreasonable risk to the child's health or welfare by failure of the parent, legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child's health or welfare to intervene to eliminate that risk when that person is able to do so and has, or should have, knowledge of the risk. 

Sexual abuse means engaging in sexual contact or sexual penetration as defined in section 520a of the Michigan Penal Code, Act No. 328 of the Public Acts of 1931, being section 750.520a of the Michigan Compiled Laws, with a child. 

Sexual Exploitation includes allowing, permitting, or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution, or allowing, permitting, encouraging, or engaging in the photographing, filming, or depicting of a child engaged in a listed sexual act as defined in section 145c of Act No. 328 of the Public Acts of 1931, being section 750.145c of the Michigan Compiled Laws. 

Person responsible for the child's health or welfare means a parent, legal guardian, foster parent, stepparent, school nurse, social worker, administrator, teacher, counselor, psychologist, or any other individual to whom a parent, legal guardian, or school official delegates the care of the child.