Child Protection Mandatory Reporting Policy &Procedures
We are committed to nurturing a safe and healthy environment for children in the Luther Seminary community.
Minnesota law requires that anyone who provides
child care must report known or suspected child abuse or neglect within 24 hours to public authorities.
Minnesota law also permits anyone to make a good faith report
of suspected child abuse or neglect. For a complete statement of the law, please see Minnesota Statutes
§ 626.556. This policy and procedures document is intended to assist the Luther Seminary community in fulfilling child neglect and abuse reporting
obligations under Minnesota law.
Who reports?
You must report concerning children of the Luther Seminary community if you are:
-
Director of
Wee Care Day Care
-
Professional
staff of Wee Care Day Care
-
Parish Nurse
-
Youth
Coordinator
-
Director of
Housing & Financial Aid
-
Dean of
Students
The statute requires reporting by persons "engaged
in the practice of the healing arts, social services,
hospital administration, psychological or psychiatric
treatment, child care, education, or law enforcement." Minn.
Stat. § 626.556, subd. 3(a)(1). The statute also expressly applies to clergy who receive information in the
course of ministerial duties, unless the information is
protected by the clergy-penitent privilege. Id. at subd. 3(a)(2); see
Minn. Stat. § 595.02, subd. 1(c) (defining the
privilege).
What triggers the reporting obligation?
When a mandatory reporter "knows or has reason to believe"
a child is being neglected or physically or sexually
abused, a report must be made immediately but in no event longer than 24 hours. The statute provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for any mandatory
or voluntary report made in good faith.
Definitions
Child Neglect is the failure by a parent or
caretaker to provide needed care and protection for a child. This
includes failure to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical
care, or other care required for the child’s physical or
mental health.
Child Sexual Abuse is an act or threat of an act by
a parent, caretaker, or person in a position of authority to
make sexual contact with a child, including touching intimate
parts (of the child or the adult or another) whether clothed or
unclothed.
A "child" is any person under the age of 18. Child Physical Abuse is any physical injury, mental
injury, or threatened injury inflicted by a person responsible
for the child’s care other than by accidental means, except
for reasonable and moderate physical discipline which
does not result in an injury.
Procedures
Immediately make a telephone call to Child
Protection or the St. Paul Police Department. After making that
report, notification should be made to either the Dean of
Students or Vice President for Administration and Finance at
Luther Seminary. The Luther Seminary administration will
take appropriate steps to respond to the report, and
cooperate with the Child Protection and/or police authorities
in their investigation.
Orientation and Distribution
This policy will be published in the Luther Seminary
Student Handbook. It will be posted at Wee Care Day Care,
where the Director and professional staff will receive
training consistent with this policy. Families new to the
Luther Seminary community will be informed regarding this
policy during New Student Orientation.
Reporting Phone Numbers
Child Protection: 651.266.4500
St. Paul Police Department: 651.291.1111
Luther Seminary Dean of Students: 651.641.3229
Luther Seminary VP for Administration and Finance: 651.641.3432
|
