D. Basic Procedure for Police Investigation of Children with Disabilities Establish rapport and respectful communication with the victim. Presume victim competence to participate in an interview and the criminal justice process. When possible, the officer will want to gather some initial information before interviewing the person: -Determine if the victim has any kind of disability. -Find out how this disability may affect the interview process -Determine if the victim uses any adaptive equipment, such as a hearing aid, crutches or a wheelchair? -Determine if the victim has any attention difficulties. -Determine how the victim best communicates their wants and needs. -Determine what makes it easiest for the victim to understand what others communicate. -Assure the setting for the interview is accessible to the victim. -Create a safe and non-judgmental environment -Do not ask for a lot of details, do not rephrase questions as it can cause confusion -Do not touch the victim as this could cause a fight or flight response in children with certain disabilities -Arrange for forensic interview at the Child Advocacy Center E.Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) DECAL works closely with Law Enforcement and DFCS during child abuse and neglect investigations in a child care program. If a child is harmed in a licensed or unlicensed child care program including child care learning centers, and family child care learning homes contact DECAL at 404.657.5562 or 404.656.5957. Child Care Services are governed by substantial rules and regulations which Georgia law authorizes DECAL to enforce. There are three types of licensed child care programs which include child care learning centers, group day care homes, and family day care homes. The Child Care Services division of Bright from the Start monitors and licenses these child care programs as well as Investigates complaints of child care programs, licensing violations and reports of unlicensed child care operations. Some of the most common licensing complaints are: -Lack of adequate supervision -Insufficient nurturing and care -Unsafe facility environment -Inappropriate discipline -Lack of proper sanitation (and other health concerns) Investigations into serious injuries or death of children enrolled in a child care program: DECAL begins its investigation into all allegations of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, serious injuries, and child deaths within 24 hours of receiving the allegations. If DECAL is aware that law enforcement, DFCS or another state agency is also conducting investigations into the same allegations, DECAL will coordinate with those agencies so as to not interfere with the other agencies' investigations. If law
with a child expectations community health, safety & quality of life for families contribution Those who are nurturing & protective Encourages pro-social development Engage supportive neighbors Values collaboration Value & encourage education Provides opportunities for leadership & participation Develop neighborhood watch groups, mentoring groups Laws that hold perpetrators accountable Manage stress Staff view themselves as caring people Ensure safe neighborhoods free from violence Emphasis on academics Makes spending time with their children a priority Support families when they recognize signs of stress or need Provide supportive social & health networks Family-friendly atmosphere Seeks professional help when needed Have family friendly information available which includes information on child development, bonding, parenting Community organizations have written child protection policies in hiring and monitoring staff as well as reporting abuse Have appropriate community resource referrals available Community organizations train staff & volunteers in the prevention of child abuse and mandated reporting Risk factors for maltreatment If potential risk factors for maltreatment are known, supports and services to mitigate those risks can be offered. Child Family Community Society Low birth weight Parental or caregiver immaturity – very young or inexperienced caregivers may not understand a child’s behaviors and needs. Drug endangered environment or neighborhood Acceptance of violence in media Colic Unrealistic expectations of a child’s Inadequate or overstressed Gender inequity
Appendix D - CSEC Referral Form for Georgia Cares Georgia Cares Referral Form Division of Family and Children Services Fax to: 404-371-1030 or Email to: referrals@georgiacareconnection.com Client’s Information Youth Name: Social Security Number: Date of Birth: Gender: Is client pregnant? ☐ Yes ☐ No Is client actively parenting? ☐ Yes ☐ No Ethnicity: Language Spoken: Does youth have a disability? Who has custody of youth? ☐ Parents ☐ Father ☐ Mother ☐ DFCS ☐ DJJ ☐ Other: If in the custody of DFCS or DJJ, when did custody begin? Client’s Address Legal address: County: Is this youth’s current address? ☐ Yes ☐ No Is this a safe location? ☐ Yes ☐ No Current address (if different): County: Is this a safe location? ☐ Yes ☐ No Contact: Name of legal guardian: Phone number: If youth does not reside with legal guardian, provide the phone number for current placement: Medicaid /CMO ID: Insurance: Please check all that applies: ☐ DJJ Committed ☐Criminal Trespassing ☐Custody of Law Enforcement (Detained by Law Enforcement) ☐DFCS Involvement (Foster Care) ☐DFCS Involvement (Home) ☐Firearm/Weapon Use ☐Frequent Runner (Running 3 or more times in the past 6 months) ☐Gang Involvement ☐ Giving False Name ☐Homeless ☐Loitering for Solicitation ☐On Probation (DJJ or Court) ☐ Police Report ☐Runaway/Unruly Petition ☐Sexual Abuse ☐Sexual Exploitation ☐Shoplifting ☐Substance Abuse ☐Truancy/Suspension ☐Violation of Probation DFCS Referral Information Name of Referral Source: Job Title: County:
1-800-CHILDREN Helpline for Parents and Caregivers 1-800-244-5373 1-855-GACHILD (statewide number to report suspected abuse) 1-855-422-4453 Better Brains for Babies 706-542-7566 Childkind (Services medical fragile children) Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia 770-319-6888 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Stephanie V. Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children 404-785-5004 Darkness to Light- Stewards of Children Training Georgia Center for Child Advocacy 678-904-2880 Georgia Budget and Policy Institute 404-420-1324 Georgia Cares 1-844-8GA-DMST Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (GA CASA) 404-874-2888 0r 1- 800-251-4012 Georgia Department of Behavior Health and Developmental Disabilities Office of Children, Young Adults and Families Georgia Division of Family and Children Services Office of Prevention and Family Support 404-656-9255 Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Georgia Department of Public Health Maternal and Child Health Section 404-657-2850 Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS) 404-410-8564 Georgia Family Connection Partnership 404-527-7394 Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies 1-800-300-9003 Prevent Child Abuse Georgia 404-413-1419 Strengthening Families Georgia strengtheningfamiliesga@gmail.com Voices for Georgia’s Children 404-521-0311 Additional National Resource American Academy of Pediatrics 847-434-4000 American Humane Association 303-792-9900 American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) Phone: 405-271-8202