Abuse and Neglect Reports

Abuse and Neglect Reports 1. All employees will be informed by the hourly child care facility director of the individual's responsibility in reporting suspected abuse and neglect. Copies of the child abuse law shall be provided to each employee (Appendix "A"). 2. Reports of suspected child abuse or neglect will be made to the Mississippi Department of Human Services and/or local law enforcement officials in accordance with . state law. Because abused or neglected children requiring immediate attention are often identified after traditional business hours of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, reports of this nature shall also be made to local law enforcement. 3. Hourly child care facility operators and/or directors are encouraged to establish a working relationship with local law enforcement authorities and the Mississippi Department of Human Services. In extreme situations where local county Department of Human Services staff cannot be reached, operators and/or directors will report to the statewide 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-222-8000. 4. Operators and/or directors will work in conjunction with the local law enforcement and the Mississippi Department of Human Services to establish a workable procedure for reporting cases when a child has been left at the hourly child care facility for an extended period of time after business hours or when allowing a child to leave the hourly child care facility will place that child at risk or in potential danger.