All child care personnel are mandated by law to report their suspicions of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline in accordance with s. 39.201 of the Florida Statutes (F.S.).
* Child care personnel must be alert to the physical and behavioral indicators of child abuse and neglect. “Child Abuse or Neglect” is defined in s. 39.201, F.S., as “harm or threatened harm” to a child’s health (mental or physical) or welfare by the acts or omissions by a parent, adult household member, other person responsible for the child’s welfare, or for purposes of reporting requirements by any person.
Categories include:
- Physical Abuse or Neglect (i.e. unexplained bruises, hunger, lack of supervision...) - Emotional Abuse or Neglect (i.e. impairment in the ability to function, depression...) - Sexual Abuse (i.e. withdrawal, excessive crying, physical symptoms...)
* Reports must be made immediately to the Florida Abuse Hotline Information System by - Telephone at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873), or
- Fax at 1-800-914-0004, or
- Online at http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/.
* Failure to perform duties of a mandatory reporter pursuant to s. 39.201, F.S. constitutes a violation of the standards in ss. 402.301-319, F.S. and is a felony of the third degree. Remember, it is each child care personnel’s responsibility to report suspected abuse and/or neglect.
* All reports are confidential. However, persons who are mandated reporters (child care personnel) are required to give their name when making a report.
* It is important to give as much identifying and factual information as possible when making a report.
* Any person, when acting in good faith, is immune from liability in accordance with s. 39.203(1)(a), F.S.
* For more information about child abuse and neglect, visit the Department’s website at www.myflorida.com/childcare and select “Training Requirements.” The Department offers a 4-hour Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect course for child care providers. This course is an overview of the various types of abuse and neglect, indicators that may be observed, the legal responsibility of mandatory reporters, and the proper procedure for reporting abuse and neglect, as required by ss. 402.305(2) and 402.313(1), F.S. The course is offered both online and instructor based throughout Florida.
This statement is to verify that on _________, 20___, I, ____________________________________ Date Print Name of Employee
Read and understood the information and my mandated reporting requirements.
____________________________________ _______________________________________ Signature of Employee (for facility or large family child care home) Signature of Operator
CF-FSP 5337, October 2012 [65C-22.006(4)(c) & 65C-20.008(5), F.A.C.