A new instructional video created to train Carroll teachers on how to report suspected child abuse has been distributed to schools statewide.
“Teachers have to be the eyes and ears to the children in our community,” said Lynn Wiser, child protective services administrator with the Carroll Department of Social Services, in a video finished this year that was presented Thursday to state lawmakers for the first time.
The 20-minute video, called “It?s Up to Us,” outlines how educators, health practitioners and others required by Maryland law to report suspected child abuse must call the local Department of Social Services to share their concerns.
Teachers, nurses, doctors and police officers then should file a written report using a form the Department of Social Services provides.
After investigating, Social Services will classify the reports as “ruled out” if no evidence of abuse is discovered, “indicated” if abuse has occurred or “unsubstantiated” if not enough evidence exists, said Peggy Rogers, a child protective services screener who fields reports.
Requiring teachers to report suspected child abuse keeps children?s best interests in mind ? even if it can strain parent-teacher relations, said Dana Falls, student services director at Carroll schools.
“Often, teachers are concerned about the relationshipthey have with parents, because teachers are required by law to report what they suspect, but then sometimes when it?s investigated and it?s actually not abuse, parents get upset with a teacher,” he said. “But it?s not like teachers can call a parent and say, ?Your son told me you backhanded him.? Teachers are required to respond with a report.”
Carroll teachers and principals saw the video in August and responded so positively about how the movie simplifies a complex process that the video was sent to every public school system in Maryland about a week ago, he said.
The video is available at carrollk12.org.
BY THE NUMBERS
Child abuse investigations in Carroll in 2005:
» Physical: 286
» Neglect: 410
» Sexual: 163
Source: Carroll County Department of Social Services
