Source: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/childabuse.html
Timestamp: 2014-08-01 09:51:57
Document Index: 307448588

Matched Legal Cases: ['§38', '§38', '§61', '§61', '§ 38', '§38', '§38', '§38', '§61']

Texas Education Agency - Child Abuse Prevention Overview
As mandated reporters, educators and other school staff must remain aware and educated on the topic of child abuse. School personnel represent the largest professional resource for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect in Texas. Education leaders can promote awareness of Texas laws, by developing effective reporting policies, programs and employee training to promote the safety of all Texas students.
1) Texas Education Code (TEC) §38.004 relates to information and training for public school educators in the prevention of child abuse.
The agency shall maintain on the agency website a list of links to websites that provide information regarding the prevention of child abuse; and develop and periodically update a training program on prevention of child abuse that a school district may use for staff development.
Each school district shall provide child abuse antivictimization programs in elementary and secondary schools. 2) TEC §38.0041 requires school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to:
Develop Policy: Adopt and implement a policy addressing sexual abuse and other maltreatment of children, to be included in the district improvement plan and any informational handbook provided to students and parents. To see model policies visit TASB - Freedom from Abuse, Discrimination, and Bullying for more information.
Provide Training: Requires ALL district and open-enrollment charter school employees participate in a training to increase awareness about prevention techniques and recognition of sexual abuse and other forms of child maltreatment. Each school district and open-enrollment charter school must also maintain records that include the name of each district or charter school staff member who participates in the training.
Training Schedule: Training must be taken by all school employees in the 2014-15 school year according to the training schedule adopted in TAC §61.1051 and as a part of all new employee orientation in the future. A mandatory training schedule has been adopted by Commissioner Rule in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §61.1051. Training must be provided on or by the following dates:
September 30, 2014, for all K-5th teachers, campus principals, and bus drivers; December 31, 2014, for all remaining teachers, campus principals, and bus drivers; and
May 31, 2015, for all remaining school staff
Training Components: Necessary training components identified by TEC § 38.0041 include: factors indicating a child is at risk for sexual abuse or other maltreatment;
techniques for reducing a child’s risk of sexual abuse or other maltreatment; and
community organizations that have relevant existing research-based programs that are able to provide training or other education for school district or open-enrollment charter school staff members, students, and parents.
Maintain Records: Districts and open enrollment charters schools are required to maintain records that include the name of each district or charter school staff member who participated in the training. 3) TEC §38.0042 Requires schools to post Child Abuse Hotline Information:
Poster: All school campuses are required to post in at least one high-traffic area, in both English and Spanish, a poster, at student eye-level, with information that includes the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Abuse hotline telephone number, instructions to call 911 and directions to the www.txabusehotline.org. A poster developed to meet the requirements can be found at: www.onewithcourage.org/take-action/for-educators/
Child Abuse and Neglect Resources for Texas Schools
Increasing Awareness and Prevention
Reporting - Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Resources:
Detailed information on the responsibilities and the process for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect is accessible on the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) website. Resources include tools and information specifically designed for school personnel.
To report child abuse and neglect in Texas
DFPS - A guide for Reporting Abuse and Neglect for School Professionals
DFPS has published a Threefold Brochure and Fact Sheet: A Guide for School Professionals to promote child abuse reporting information at school.
DFPS Reporting Abuse and Neglect one pager
DFPS - Reporting Suspected Abuse or Neglect of a Child in Texas: Reporting Basics
DFPS - Frequently Asked Questions about reporting abuse
Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) are non-profits that serve as the first stop for children who have experienced sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, or witnessed a violent crime. CAC’s are available to support Texas schools with implementation of required trainings. Local centers can provide more information on training opportunities and child abuse reporting information that may be available within your community. To search for the local center that serves your school, visit: www.cactx.org
Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center Online Training Center
Darkness to Light - "Stewards of Children" takes a compassionate, engaging approach to child sexual abuse prevention using a combination of survivor stories, expert advice, and practical guidance. Stewards of Children is approved by Texas Education Agency for CPE credits. A certificate of completion is available after finishing the training. The training offers ease of use for districts through online and facilitator-led training options, along with the ability to track, monitor, and maintain records of training participants. To learn more on how to get started visit: www.D2L.org/TXEd DFPS provides an online training "Reporting Suspected Abuse or Neglect of a Child" that includes video tutorials on mandatory reporting in the school setting. This web-based training tool and video module can be used to train school staff on how to make and file a report. A certificate of completion is available immediately after completing training
View the Reporting Abuse video tutorial
DFPS has regions throughout Texas. Please contact the DFPS Regional Education Specialists in your region for more information on child abuse training for school staff. The Texas Health & Human Services Commission, Center for the Elimination of Disproportional and Disparities has developed "A Guide for Mandatory Reporters - Achieving equity for Texas most vulnerable citizens" and an online training is available. A certificate of completion is immediately available after completing the training.
Resource Guide and Online Training
Increasing Awareness and Prevention:
Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, Inc. One with Courage campaign provides information and resources for Texas schools. Free posters, brochures, and banners are available to increase awareness. To view visit: www.onewithcourage.org/take-action/for-educators/.
DFPS - Preventing Child Abuse
Texas Association Against Sexual Assault has free brochures, fact sheets and information.
Child Welfare Information Gateway: Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Child Welfare Information Gateway: Promoting Healthy Families in Your Community (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Child Welfare Information Gateway: Sexual Abuse Prevention Programs (Tools, curricula, and programs designed to raise awareness and reduce risk factors related to child abuse from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Prevent Child Abuse America - A resource packet for child abuse prevention campaigns.
Recognizing Child Abuse & Neglect - Signs and Symptoms
The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Policy Service Model Student Handbook has information and resources on child abuse and maltreatment. TASB Policy Service includes child abuse and neglect reporting policies at TASB policy code FFG. Visit TASB - Freedom from Abuse, Discrimination, and Bullying for more information.
The Children's Advocacy Center of Texas has a model policy example for schools
Texas Family Code Chapter 261 - Investigation of Report of Child Abuse and Neglect
Texas Education Code (TEC) §38.004 and TEC §38.0041 - Relating to Child Abuse Reporting and Training
Texas Administrative Code §61.1051 - Reporting on Child Abuse and Neglect
Page last modified on 7/18/2014 10:11:33 AM.