What incidents involving children must I report?
(1) You must report the following incidents immediately and in no instance later than forty-eight hours to your local children’s administration intake staff and the child’s DCYF worker:

• Any time you suspect physical or sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a child as required under chapter 26.44 RCW…see below;
• Sexual contact between two or more children that is not considered typical play between preschool children;
• Any disclosure by a child in care of sexual or physical abuse; (WAC 388-147-1540 )

It is the policy of Joining Hands Visitation, in following state law and regulations, to take all reasonable steps to insure the safety and welfare of agency staff, clientele, and community citizens at large. In light of the very real and significant problems that physical, sexual and emotional abuse creates, the agency supports and encourages an active response to prevent, intervene whenever possible.

All agency staff shall be aware of, and follow, all Washington State laws concerning the abuse of children, and adult dependent or developmentally disabled persons (RCW, Chapter 26.44…see above)

Procedures:

1. Any staff having reasonable cause to believe that a child or adult dependent or developmentally disabled person has suffered abuse or neglect must immediately inform their supervisor.
2. After discussing the situation with their supervisor, staff shall report the incident to the local law enforcement agency and /or the Department of Social Services (CPS).
3. Staff shall document the disclosure in the client’s records, noting the time and date the report, the information provided and the person and agency to whom it was released

Declaration of purpose:
The Washington state legislature finds and declares: The bond between a child and his or her parent, custodian, or guardian is of paramount importance, and any intervention into the life of a child is also an intervention into the life of the parent, custodian, or guardian; however, instances of non-accidental injury, neglect, death, sexual abuse and cruelty to children by their parents, custodians or guardians have occurred, and in the instance where a child is deprived of his or her right to conditions of minimal nurture, health, and safety, the state is justified in emergency intervention based upon verified information; and therefore the Washington state legislature hereby provides for the reporting of such cases to the appropriate public authorities.

It is the intent of the legislature that, as a result of such reports, protective services shall be made available in an effort to prevent further abuses, and to safeguard the general welfare of such children.

When the child’s physical or mental health is jeopardized, or the safety of the child conflicts with the legal rights of a parent, custodian, or guardian, the health and safety interests of the child should prevail. When determining whether a child and a parent, custodian, or guardian should be separated during or immediately following an investigation of alleged child abuse or neglect, the safety of the child shall be the department’s paramount concern.

Reports of child abuse and neglect shall be maintained and disseminated with strictest regard for the privacy of the subjects of such reports and so as to safeguard against arbitrary, malicious or erroneous information or actions. This chapter shall not be construed to authorize interference with child-raising practices, including reasonable parental discipline, which are not proved to be injurious to the child’s health, welfare and safety. (RCW 26.44.010)