Page 28 - Operations & Procedures Manuals

who have frequent contact with children. Additionally, almost twenty states require that any person who suspects child abuse or neglect must report regardless of profession.
Regardless of state mandates, all Boys & Girls Clubs employees, volunteers, and board members must report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to local authorities. As an organization that prides us on serving young people, especially those who need us most, it is imperative that we work to protect every child who walks through our doors.
Arizona State Legislature 13-3620
“Any person who reasonably believes that minor is or has been the victim of physical injury,
abuse, child abuse, a reportable offense or neglect that appears to have been inflicted on the minor by other than accidental means...shall IMMEDIATELY report or cause reports to be made of this information to a peace officer (police) or child protective services (CPS) in the Department of Economic Security, except if the report concerns a person who does not have care, custody or control of the minor, the report all be made to a peace officer (police) only.”
Reporting Suspected Abuse or Neglect
1. If you reasonably believe a minor is, might be or has been the victim of abuse, whether that belief is because of personal observation (cuts, bruises, other physical trauma) or disclosure from the child or a third party, you should act. The following information is needed:
• Name of Child(ren)/victim.
• Age of Child(ren).
• What is alleged abuse?
• Where does child reside?
• Who does the child reside with?
• Who is the alleged abuser?
• What observations did reporter personally make?
• What were you told and by whom?
• When is the child expected to leave your custody and return home?
2. Immediately inform the Club Director/Supervisor on duty of suspected abuse/neglect. In the presence of Club Director/Supervisor on duty, call 911 and begin the reporting process. Complete documentation of information within 24 hours and submit to supervisor involved.
3. Secondly reporter and Club Director/Supervisor on duty will contact CPS and/or dispatch at Clubs at Native Partnership Sites. CPS child abuse hotline 1-888-SOS-CHILD (1-888-767-2445).
4. Supervisor and reporter must complete thorough documentation of all information pertaining to incident up to an including authority/worker involved and time child is picked up and by whom.
• Document observations and/or information shared by the child.
• Do not interview the child about the abuse to discover additional facts about the case. Leave this
task to law enforcement and CPS.
• Write the name of the CPS worker/officer report is filed with and include contact number for
follow-up or if additional information is shared. 24