The Need-To-Knows: Mandated Reporting

Self/Harm & Suicidal Ideation, SIT & 504s

Presented by the BHS School Counselors

January 4, 2023

Who is a Mandated Reporter?

Maryland law requires that every health practitioner,

educator, human services worker, or law enforcement officer

who has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to

abuse or sexual abuse shall immediately report to the local department of social services or appropriate law enforcement agency.

PGCPS Mandated Reporting Procedures

When to Report:

• When you see or hear something that causes you to suspect a student is being physically, sexually or mentally abused or neglected and/or
• When a student reports to you verbally or nonverbally (ie: in a writing sample) that they being abused and/or neglected
• Another student or parent expresses concern to you that their peer or child’s friend is being physically, sexually or mentally abused or neglected

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*The first adult to view, hear or a student tells, is the person who must make the report*

Next Steps:

• As soon as possible, make an oral report to Child Protective Services (CPS) by calling (301)909-2450
• Prior to ending the call, obtain the CPS representative email address
• Notify student’s grade level administrator and Mr. Kautzer via email of the initial report being made
• Complete Child Abuse and Reporting Form within 48 hours of making the call and email the form to:
• The CPS representative who took the report
• Mr. Kautzer
• Mrs. Marceron
• Grade Level Administrator
• Student’s Professional School Counselor (PSC)
• Fax form to CPS Office - Fax #: 301-909-2460
• Mail form to:

Office of State’s Attorney

Courthouse, Room 340

14735 Main Street

Upper Marlboro, MD. 20772

Follow Up:

• Complete SIT Referral Form and email to student’s School Counselor
• Student will be added to SIT Agenda
• PSC will follow up with student within 5 days of report being made and follow up with teacher, grade level administrator as needed

Reporting of Student Suicidal Ideation/Self Harm

When to Report:

• A student verbally or nonverbally reports (ie: through writing, through drawings) that they are having suicidal thoughts and/or thoughts or acts of self-harm
• Another student or parent expresses concern to you that their peer or child’s friend is having suicidal thoughts and/or thoughts or acts of self-harm

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Next Steps - When in School:

• Call the Main Office for a security escort if you are unable to escort the student down to the School Counseling Office as soon as possible
• PSC will conduct a threat assessment with the student
• PSC will attempt to contact parent/guardian as soon as possible
• If unable to contact, PSC will inform grade level administrator to provide further support
• If determined needed and unable to contact parent, student will be referred to Crisis Mobile Team

Follow Up:

• Teacher will contact the parent by close of business
• If able to make contact with parent, they will follow up via email to Mr. Kautzer, PSC and any other needed stakeholders to inform them
• Teacher will complete SIT Referral Form and email it to PSC
• If student is referred to Crisis Mobile Team, PSC will follow up via email to Mr. Kautzer, grade level administrator, teacher and any other needed stakeholders
• Emergency Conference Notification Form to be completed
• (Provide a copy of this form and any other related documents to the parent and retain the originals in a confidential file maintained by the administrator and located in the school building. Access to this file is restricted to the professional school counselor, school psychologist, and administrators.)

Next Steps - When out of School:

• Contact the parent immediately → Inform them of your concern
• Follow up with your administrator over your department via email or phone call
• If unable to contact the parent → Contact your administrator as soon as possible and/or Mr. Kautzer regarding concern
• If unable to contact your administrator → Call Bowie Police Department to conduct welfare check
• Bowie PD Phone Number: 240-544-5700

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Follow Up - When Not in School:

• Teacher will email Mr. Kautzer, Grade Level Administrator, PSC and any other needed stakeholders to inform them of what occurred
• Teacher will complete SIT Referral Form and email it to PSC
• PSC will follow up via email to Mr. Kautzer, grade level administrator, teacher and any other needed stakeholders the following school day after contacting the parent
• Emergency Conference Notification Form to be completed
• (Provide a copy of this form and any other related documents to the parent and retain the originals in a confidential file maintained by the administrator and located in the school building. Access to this file is restricted to the professional school counselor, school psychologist, and administrators.)

504 Plans

Definition: The law requires that students have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. In order to find a student eligible under Section 504, the team must have evidence of a physical or mental impairment and be able to identify how that impairment substantially limits a major life activity.

• Teacher Progress Monitoring Forms are important to the 504 Annual Evaluation
• Teacher participation in meetings is very important to provide feedback in potential modifications to the plan

PGCPS Staff Portal → Quick Links → Section 504 Employee Site

Questions?

Please always feel to reach out to our department as we are always here to support!

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