Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect – The Partner Provider must

Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect – The Partner Provider must follow MDCPS policy and Mississippi law for handling any suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect involving staff (employed, volunteer, or intern) or residents. Under Mississippi law all personnel, administrators, volunteers, and residents of a Partner Provider facility must report any and all incidences of suspected child maltreatment, abuse, or neglect to MDCPS through MCIA by calling 1- 800-222- 8000 or by using the online reporting tool on the agency’s website, www.mdcps.ms.gov within eight (8) hours of the incident. Regular doctor’s visits such as dental, vision, medical, or mental health appointments are excluded and shall be updated in the client’s file. If the incident is life threatening or there is immediate risk of harm the incident should first be reported to the appropriate authorities or emergency personnel. 1. The Partner Provider policies governing post-reporting procedure must include: a. The Serious Incident Report must be submitted to MDCPS no later than twenty-four (24) hours after the incident occurs; b. An action plan that provides immediate protection for all parties involved during the investigation; c. Provisions for preservation of any security footage in the Partner Provider facility where incident occurred; d. Provisions for preventing a recurrence of the alleged incident pending investigation; e. With the exception of child placing agencies, Partner Providers must include a provision that bars the conducting of an internal investigation of the incident until after completion of all MDCPS investigations and includes a provision acknowledging that conducting an internal investigation prior to the completion of all MDCPS investigations may result in the revocation of licensure for the Partner Provider; and f. A procedure for evaluating the continued utilization of any staff member determined to be involved in an incident of child abuse, maltreatment, or neglect. 2. Each Partner Provider staff member must read and sign a statement acknowledging they have read and understand the procedures for handling suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect. a. The statement must outline the state child abuse and neglect law and outline the staff member’s responsibility to report all suspected incidents of child abuse and neglect according to the law. b. The signed employee statement must be filed in the employee’s personnel file.