Child Abuse and Neglect
BP 5141.40
CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
| Note: AS 14.08.111 and AS 14.14.090 require districts to provide mandatory reporters training in the recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect. Pursuant to AS 47.17.020, teachers, school administrators, and paid athletic coaches are mandated to report child abuse and neglect. New employees required to report are to be trained on this obligation within 45 days after the first day of employment. AS 47.17.22. A school district providing training shall provide notice of the training to public and private schools in the district and invite volunteers who are required to report to participate in the training at no cost to the volunteer. Effective June 30, 2017, volunteers who interact with children in public or private school for more than four hours a week are also mandatory reporters of child abuse. AS 18.16.310 requires school districts to offer continuing education at least once every two years on domestic violence for mandatory reporter employees. |
| Note: Effective August 1, 2019 (amended 47.17.020) mandatory reporters who have reason to suspect that a child has suffered harm which appears to be the result of a suspected sex offense shall immediately report that harm to the nearest law enforcement agency. |
Abuse and neglect affects the well-being of each student. Teachers, school administrators, paid athletic coaches and volunteers who interact with children in a school for more than four hours a week shall be trained on the recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect in accordance with state law. An athletic coach who is an unpaid volunteer is not required to report child abuse or neglect unless the coach volunteers for more than 4 hours a week for 4 consecutive weeks, or for 20 hours a week in a one month period, has received training, and signed a form acknowledging the obligation to report. District employees shall cooperate with the child protective agencies responsible for reporting, investigating and prosecuting cases of child abuse. The reporting duties are individual and cannot be delegated to another individual. (See Exhibit forms)
(cf 4131 – Staff Development)
The district shall provide notice of child abuse and neglect mandatory reporter training to all public and private schools in the district. All mandatory reporters, including qualifying volunteers, are invited to participate in the training at no cost.
| Note: Many school employees may encounter child abuse and neglect. The following optional language expands the number of school employees offered training in child abuse recognition and reporting. It may be revised or deleted as desired. |
In addition to the required training provided above, the Superintendent or designee will invite classified personnel who have regular contact with students to participate in child abuse and neglect training. Classified personnel should immediately report instances of suspected child abuse or neglect to the site administrator.
| Note: Pursuant to AS 47.17.068, failing to report child abuse or neglect mandated by law is a misdemeanor if the person knew or should have known that circumstances gave rise to the need for a report. |
Legal Reference:
ALASKA STATUTES
14.08.111 Duties (Regional School Boards)
14.14.090 Additional duties
18.66.310 Continuing education for public employees, court system employees, and for prosecuting authorities
47.17.010-47.17.070 Child protection
KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Adoption Date: 10/13/99
Revision Date: 6/11/2014
Revision Date: 09/14/2016
Revision Date: 2/27/2019
Revision Date: 8/14/2019