Georgia Mandated Reporter Basics
Georgia law applies this reporting responsibility to every educator and school employee who becomes aware of suspected abuse or neglect.
What is a Mandated Reporter?
A child reports he got a bruise when his sibling hit him then you hear the student tell a different adult that his girl cousin hit him. When you ask him he says something completely different.
What is suspected abuse?
A teacher notices a student has become unusually aggressive with classmates, has difficulty concentrating, and startles easily after sharing that there is "a lot of fighting at home." These behaviors may be connected to this experience.
What is exposure to domestic violence?
They decided to have student detained from getting on the school bus and going home _____
What is SRO or DFS?
What is the the Child Abuse line
1-855-GA-CHILD
A student has no visible injuries but describes being struck repeatedly at home. Georgia law does not require this before a report is made.
What is proof (or physical evidence) of abuse?
A student says, "My parents were yelling and throwing things last night, and I was scared." Even though this wasn't directed to the child, educators must what?
What is report to counselors or social worker.?
A student says an adult "has special secrets with me" and gives them gifts while sometimes asking that they keep it secret.
What is grooming?
As soon as it is brought to my attention.
What is the time frame for reporting suspected abuse?
A student says, "I’m only telling you if you promise not to tell anyone." The educator should explain that they must share information when there is concern for a student's safety. This is because the educator cannot guarantee this.
What is secrecy?
Children who witness violence between caregivers may experience these effects, including fear, anxiety, and changes in behavior.
What is Trauma?
A student who is usually confident begins showing extreme fear of failure, struggles with self-worth, and constantly seeks adult approval after reporting negative treatment at home. These behaviors may be connected to this form of maltreatment.
What is emotional abuse?
Asking multiple details questions after hearing an alarming statement from a student.
What is investigating the allegation?
A mandated reporter is not responsible for deciding whether abuse actually happened. Determining what occurred belongs to this group after a report is made.
What is social workers with child protective services (DFCS) and SROs?
Failure to report suspected abuse can result in___
What is severe harm to the child?
The SRO wants to interview a student due to a Suspected Abuse report and you are part of providing needed information but you MUST ____
What is step out of the room?
A teacher learns of possible abuse moments before dismissal. The student's caregiver is already in the car rider line. Your next steps are ____
What is... reporting the suspected abuse to School Counselors without taking student with you?
A 9 yr old student tells a teacher, "My parent drinks a lot and sometimes I have to take care of my younger siblings overnight." The teacher is unsure if this meets the threshold because the student does not say they are being harmed and decides not to report bc they like the parent.
What is screening out?
You see bruises on a student's back when a child's shirt rises up. And, you want a better look to verify what you saw so you ___
What is lift their shirt up?
A student regularly arrives hungry, reports being left alone overnight, and has missed needed medical appointments, sleeps constantly in class, chronically absent without valid reasons for absences, sexually inappropriate with others, possess visible bruises regularly and more.
What is suspected abuse?