CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES

The School District subscribes to all of the provisions of Title 6 - Child Protective Services of the Social Services Law (Sections 411-428). Our purpose is to provide protective services to abused and maltreated children as described by the law, and to make all school personnel within the District aware of our legal responsibilities under this law.

 Procedures shall be developed, maintained and disseminated by administration regarding the mandated reporting of suspected child abuse/neglect, reporting procedures, and similar topics.

Additionally, an ongoing training program for all professional staff shall be established and implemented to enable such staff to carry out their reporting responsibilities.

 Child Abuse in an Educational Setting

 The School District is committed to the protection of students in educational settings from abuse and maltreatment by employees or volunteers as enumerated in law. The District will comply with provisions of law regarding allegations of child abuse in an educational setting.

 Prohibition of "Silent" (Unreported) Resignations

 The Superintendent and other school administrators are prohibited from withholding from law enforcement authorities, the Superintendent or the Commissioner of Education, where appropriate, information concerning allegations of child abuse in an educational setting against an employee or volunteer in exchange for that individual's resignation or voluntary suspension from his/her position.

Superintendents (or designated administrators) who reasonably and in good faith report to law enforcement officials information regarding allegations of child abuse or a resignation as required pursuant to the law shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, which might otherwise result by reason of such actions.

 Contact Student Support Services if you have questions or concerns. 518-881-3412

Protocol: When CPS visits school and asks to interview a child

• District staff must cooperate with CPS workers in their investigations

  • Providing student records relevant to the child abuse allegations

  • Granting access for CPS to speak with teachers and other staff 
    

• Staff should cooperate when a CPS worker has a court order and wants to interview a child at school 
  

• School staff should be present during the interview
  

• CPS workers should only be allowed to interview the student at school without parent consent if such action is warranted based upon the allegations of abuse
  

• Prior to allowing a CPS worker to interview a student in school without parent consent, the principal should ask the CPS worker:
  

  • Is it necessary that you conduct this interview at school or can you conduct the interview with the student outside of school?
    

  • Do the circumstances of the alleged abuse allegations warrant interviewing the child apart from the family without parental consent?
    

  • The school principal should keep a record of the CPS worker’s name, contact information, and response to these two questions.
    

• The interview is controlled and managed by the CPS worker, not the school representative.
  

• If the parent questions why CPS was given access to their child, school staff should inform the parent that the school district is under a legal mandate to cooperate and comply with CPS requests regarding investigations of alleged abuse.
  

• Additionally, school staff can suggest that the parent bring this issue and any concerns or complaints to CPS.