Protection of Children and Vulnerable Persons: Reporting Known or Suspected Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect of Children (Procedure 8.0500)

Based on board policy number and Florida Statutes:	F.S. 39.001, .205; FAC 6A-14.099; College Policy 8.050
Effective Date:	11/2015
Date of Review:	---

Purpose

The College does not condone or tolerate the abuse, abandonment or neglect of children or other vulnerable persons committed on the property of the College or elsewhere, or during an event or function sponsored by the College. This Procedure describes the obligation of the College or any person to timely report any known or suspected incidents of this kind and the process for doing so.

Definitions

1. For the purpose of this procedure, the terms “abuse,” “abandonment,” and “neglect” shall have the same meaning as in Section 39.001, F.S.
   1. "Abuse” means any willful act or threatened act that results in any physical, mental, or sexual abuse, injury, or harm that causes or is likely to cause the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired. Abuse of a child includes acts or omissions. Corporal discipline of a child by a parent or legal custodian for disciplinary purposes does not in itself constitute abuse when it does not result in harm to the child.
   2. "Abandoned” or “abandonment” means a situation in which the parent or legal custodian of a child or, in the absence of a parent or legal custodian, the caregiver, while being able, has made no significant contribution to the child’s care and maintenance or has failed to establish or maintain a substantial and positive relationship with the child, or both.
   3. “Neglect” occurs when a child is deprived of, or is allowed to be deprived of, necessary food, clothing, shelter, or medical treatment or a child is permitted to live in an environment when such deprivation or environment causes the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired or to be in danger of being significantly impaired. Neglect of a child includes acts or omissions.
2. Administrator - Personnel at Seminole State College who have been assigned the responsibility of college-wide or campus-wide academic, student services, or administrative functions, such as: president, executive vice president, vice president, campus provosts, campus dean, associate vice president, executive director, director, dean, and campus safety and security officer.
3. Child - Any person under the age of 18 years who has not been emancipated by order of the court.
4. Law Enforcement  – The College employs Security Officers but does not have its own law enforcement agency. For the purpose of this procedure, “law enforcement” means local police and the county sheriff’s department.
5. Vulnerable adult – A person 18 years of age or older whose ability to perform the normal activities of daily living or to provide for his or her own care or protection is impaired due to disability, brain damage, or the infirmities of aging.

Procedure

1. Institutional Obligation
   1. Requirement. Florida law requires college administrators to report to the Department of Children & Family Services (DCF) any instances directly observed or reported to them of known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, and neglect committed on the property of the institution or during a college sponsored event. Failure to report, or knowingly and willfully preventing another person from reporting, is considered a violation of college policy, college procedure, and the law. A violation may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment as well as personal criminal and civil penalties. The College may also be subject to substantial fines in accordance with Florida Statute and Rule for the actions or inactions of its employees.
   2. How to report incidents
      1. All instances of known or suspected child abuse, abandonment or neglect must be reported to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Notification must be made by Calling, Faxing or E-Mailing the Florida DCF Abuse Hotline.
         Telephone: 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)
         Fax: 1-800-914-0004
         Web report: http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/abuse-hotline
      2. Notify the Campus Safety and Security Office of any incidents reported to DCF so that an internal Incident Report can be completed. Contact the Campus Safety and Security Office if immediate assistance is needed to deal with the problem at hand.
2. Individual Obligation
   1. Requirement. Florida law requires any person who knows or reasonably suspects that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected, to report such knowledge or suspicion to the Florida Department of Children and Family Services. Any person also may contact local law enforcement authorities to make a report of suspected child abuse at any time.
   2. How to report incidents 
      Notify the Florida Department of Children and Families. Notification must be made by Calling, Faxing or E-Mailing the Florida DCF Abuse Hotline.
      Telephone: 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)
      Fax: 1-800-914-0004
      Web report: http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/abuse-hotline

Recommended by	Executive Team	Date	11/17/2015
Approved	President E. Ann McGee	Date	11/20/2015