Topic 8 DQ 1
Review your state’s laws regarding child abuse and/or neglect reporting. What is the name of
the agency that you are required to report any cases of child abuse or neglect? What
information should you have ready when making the report to your state’s child abuse
hotline? What is the best method to keep documentation regarding the details of the case?
Hello class and professor,
In the state of Texas, reports about suspected child abuse and/or neglect goes
to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, this is then
passed on to CPS to investigate the claim (TDFPS, n.d.). The DPFS website also
says that it can be reported to law enforcement and they will do what needs to
be done (TDFPS, n.d.). When making a report, the professional should have as
much information as possible about the child as well as what lead the
professional to suspect abuse and/or neglect, that information should also
include things like basic info (age of the child, date of birth, possible address,
school information, etc.) and possible injuries (TDFPS, n.d.). It appears that the
best documentation would be to keep the client's file available as well as
notes about their description of what is going on.
I, personally, think when looking at these laws that people should also look at
what their state defines as abuse or neglect. For example, the state of Texas
excludes an accident or "reasonable" discipline by a parent or guardian that
does not give the child more risk to harm (SMU, n.d.). However, people that
report it in good faith are protected from liability issues, so it is better to report
if the professional suspects it (SMU, n.d.).
Sources:
SMU. (n.d.). Duty to Report Suspected Child Abuse in the State of Texas -
SMU (Southern Methodist
University).
https://www.smu.edu/ola/BriefingPapers/DutytoReportSuspectedChildAbus
eintheStateofTexas
TDFPS. (n.d.). When and how to report child abuse. Texas Department of Family
and Protected
Services.
https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Child_Protection/Child_Safety/report_abuse.asp
Review your state’s laws regarding child abuse and/or neglect reporting. What is the name of
the agency that you are required to report any cases of child abuse or neglect? What
information should you have ready when making the report to your state’s child abuse
hotline? What is the best method to keep documentation regarding the details of the case?
Hello class and professor,
In the state of Texas, reports about suspected child abuse and/or neglect goes
to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, this is then
passed on to CPS to investigate the claim (TDFPS, n.d.). The DPFS website also
says that it can be reported to law enforcement and they will do what needs to
be done (TDFPS, n.d.). When making a report, the professional should have as
much information as possible about the child as well as what lead the
professional to suspect abuse and/or neglect, that information should also
include things like basic info (age of the child, date of birth, possible address,
school information, etc.) and possible injuries (TDFPS, n.d.). It appears that the
best documentation would be to keep the client's file available as well as
notes about their description of what is going on.
I, personally, think when looking at these laws that people should also look at
what their state defines as abuse or neglect. For example, the state of Texas
excludes an accident or "reasonable" discipline by a parent or guardian that
does not give the child more risk to harm (SMU, n.d.). However, people that
report it in good faith are protected from liability issues, so it is better to report
if the professional suspects it (SMU, n.d.).
Sources:
SMU. (n.d.). Duty to Report Suspected Child Abuse in the State of Texas -
SMU (Southern Methodist
University).
https://www.smu.edu/ola/BriefingPapers/DutytoReportSuspectedChildAbus
eintheStateofTexas
TDFPS. (n.d.). When and how to report child abuse. Texas Department of Family
and Protected
Services.
https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Child_Protection/Child_Safety/report_abuse.asp
