curriculum 
appendix

EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK | appendix

EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK

culture

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compliance

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curriculum

appendix

Toileting + diapering

DIAPERING PROCEDURE

We strictly follow requirements and guidelines for safety and sanitation from EEC and the DPH. This step-by-step procedure is posted over every changing table and must be followed without exception:

  1. Gather necessary supplies. Place disposable paper on changing table.
  2. Put on disposable gloves.
  3. Place child on covered diapering surface. Clean child’s bottom from front to back with disposable wipes sent in from home.
  4. Use ointments and/or creams as requested and authorized by the family.
  5. Diaper and dress the child.
  6. Place soiled diaper, wipes and gloves in plastic bag (not necessary for wet diapers). Discard in trash. Seal soiled clothing in a plastic bag and store it apart from other items to be sent home.
  7. Prepare a paper towel for use.
  8. Wash the child’s hands and your own, using paper towel to turn off the faucet.
  9. Disinfect and wipe down the diapering area after each use with sanitizer solution.
  10. Return supplies to proper storage.
  11. Record information on the daily sheet (if applicable).

TOILETING PROCEDURES

All staff must follow these procedures when assisting children with toileting:

  • Create frequent group toileting times throughout the day to facilitate the process. However, allow children to use the toilet when needed.
  • Supervise the children at all times, while allowing them as much privacy as is appropriate.
  • Toddler teachers must remain in the bathroom with the children, moving to the sink area as children finish. Preschool and Pre-K teachers must remain in the bathroom area (within sight of sinks and both bathrooms).
  • Assist children with clothing when necessary.
  • Seal soiled clothing in a plastic bag and store it apart from other items to be sent home [see detailed instructions below]. Extra clothing is available if needed.
  • Encourage children to wipe themselves carefully from front to back. Check that the child is clean, wearing gloves and wiping the child with toilet paper when necessary. Wash your hands and apply new gloves after wiping a child.
  • Clean and disinfect the toilet with sanitizer solution if soiled by feces. (Put on disposable gloves whenever cleaning feces, urine, vomit or blood.)
  • Children should proceed to the sinks to wash hands [see Handwashing Procedure].
  • Primary teachers, not assistants, should bring children in to use the bathroom when outside.
  • Diapers with a BM should always be changed on the table

Wet Diaper Procedure

  1. With a diaper and wipe, children wearing a dry or only wet diaper enter the bathroom, placing their diaper and wipe on the back of a toilet. Put on gloves.
  2. Child pulls down pants. Before children have complete independence in this step, they may need both verbal and physical assistance in order to pull them down.
  3. Child tears off diaper and disposes in trash bag (may need verbal or physical assistance with this step).
  4. Child steps onto stepstool, if needed (feet should be touching either the floor or the stepstool).
  5. Child sits on or stands at the toilet. Boys may need to hold the back of the toilet while standing for balance. For the most success, children should be encouraged to try the toilet for a short amount of time, such as the length of singing the “ABCs.”
  6. Child climbs off of stepstool and rips off toilet paper. Before children have complete independence in this step, they may need both verbal and physical assistance in ripping off the appropriate amount of toilet paper.
  7. Encourage the child to wipe themselves carefully from front to back and throw the paper in the toilet. Check that the child is clean, wearing gloves and wiping him/her with toilet paper when necessary.
  8. Wash your hands and change gloves after helping to wipe any child.
  9. Child flushes toilet.
  10. Children bring their own diapers to you. After throwing away soiled gloves, strap the dry diaper onto the standing child.
  11. Children pull up pants. Before children have complete independence in this step, they may need verbal and/or physical assistance in knowing where to put their hands on their pants in order to pull them up.
  12. Children should proceed to the sinks to wash hands [see Handwashing Procedure].

Children Wearing Underwear Procedure

  1. Child pulls down pants.
  2. Child sits on or stands at the toilet. Feet should be touching a surface, either the floor or a stepstool. Boys may need to hold the back of the toilet while standing for balance.
  3. Encourage the child to wipe him/herself carefully from front to back and throw the paper in the toilet. Check to make sure the child is clean, wearing gloves and wiping him/her with toilet paper when necessary. Wash your hands after helping to wipe any child.
  4. Child flushes toilet.
  5. Child pulls up pants.
  6. Children should proceed to the sinks to wash hands [see Handwashing Procedure].

Wet Clothing Procedure

  1. Gather dry clothing with the child from the child’s extra supply (school-provided extra clothing is available if necessary).
  2. Provide the child with disposable paper to place on floor of the bathroom.
  3. Child places wet clothing into a plastic bag you hold open. Seal the bag to be sent home.
  4. Child uses wet wipes to clean all wet areas of the body, placing used wipes in a diaper bag.
  5. Child redresses and throws disposable paper into trash bag.
  6. With educator supervision, children proceed to sinks to wash hands [see Handwashing procedure].
  7. Clean and disinfect the wet area with sanitizer solution.

Changing Soiled Clothing (In Bathroom) Procedure

  1. Gather clean clothing with the child from the child’s extra supply (school-provided extra clothing is available if necessary).
  2. Wearing gloves, bring several sheets of disposable paper, three plastic diaper bags and a box of wipes into bathroom with the child.
  3. With child standing on disposable paper, remove child’s shoes, socks and pants, sealing any soiled clothes in one plastic bag.
  4. Carefully remove soiled underpants from child, dumping the contents into the toilet.
  5. To prevent it from soiling other clothing, seal soiled underwear in its own plastic bag to be sent home.
  6. Use wipes to clean child’s body thoroughly, sealing used wipes and soiled diaper paper in separate plastic bag. Dispose of this bag in covered step can.
  7. Clean and disinfect the soiled area with sanitizer solution.
  8. Child redresses.
  9. Proceed to sinks with child to wash hands [see Handwashing Procedure].

Clothes Soiled by Bowel Movement (Changing on Diaper Table)

  1. Follow all steps of the diapering procedure, remembering to place soiled clothes in separate plastic diaper bag to be sent home.

Emergency procedures

EVACUATION ON SITE

ADMIN
  • Signal emergency by alert whistle.
  • Remain in building to ensure that no one is left in the building and confirm the safety of the children.
  • Determine with emergency officials when the area is “all clear.” Do not let anyone back in the building until cleared. Confirm head count of children AND staff before anyone returns to building.
  • If there is the possibility that we will be evacuating for any length of time, or it’s not possible to return to the building, Administration will designate someone to bring the program backpacks and “evacuation basket” – containing diapers, wipes, snacks, water and activities – to the evacuation area to await further instruction.
EDUCATORS
  • Bring attendance sheets, emergency contact list, and any emergency medications (e.g. epi-pens) outside.
  • Gather children and help them toward the nearest exit by using calm voices and walking feet. Do NOT tell children to hurry up or encourage them to run.
  • Children do not take time to put on coats or boots. Depending on weather conditions, gather as many coats and/or blankets as possible as you exit.
  • Place three to four infants in each evacuation crib and wheel to the nearest exit. Toddlers walk or are carried to the safety area, and preschoolers walk independently.
  • FOLLOW THE EVACUATION ROUTES posted in each classroom and go to the designated spot to wait for the “all clear” signal. 

EVACUATION OFF-SITE 

ADMIN
  • Administration will designate someone to bring the program backpacks and “evacuation basket” – containing diapers, wipes, snacks, water and activities – to the evacuation area to await further instructions. 
  • Contact parents or emergency contacts and make arrangements to pick the children up as soon as it’s safe.
  • Call the facility and Inform the administrator in charge of the emergency and of our arrival, including how many children and approximate duration of stay (typically 3-5 hours).
  • An administrator, (or a staff member) should follow by vehicle if possible, with the back-up water supply, some snack, and the Evacuation Basket that includes: flashlights and batteries, a one-day supply of diapers and wipes, activity kits for each age group, back-up first aid supplies, hand sanitizer, and trash bags. 

EVACUATION CHECKLIST

  • When we must evacuate the center, proper attendance is vital to keeping everyone safe. Classroom teachers are responsible for:
  • Daily attendance
  • Emergency Information Sheets for each child
  • Any medications and supplies that will be vital for care for the next 1-2 hours (including all emergency medications, like epi-pens)
  • Blankets in cold weather
  • One diaper per child who needs one and a box of wipes.

REVERSE EVACUATION

  • Movement of children and staff back into the center due to a danger/emergency outside. An example of this is a suspicious or criminal act occurring nearby or a wild animal.

SHELTER-IN-PLACE

When a threat creates hazardous conditions outside the center, children and staff may need to shelter-in-place. This may also need to occur if it is not safe or there is insufficient time to move to a designated assembly area or secondary relocation site. Shelter-in-place involves keeping children and staff in place inside the building and securing the center for the immediate emergency. Examples of situations include tornados, community violence, or a hazardous material spill.

ADMIN
  • Limit outdoor activities
  • Monitor weather conditions
  • Be in contact with local officials
  • Signal and communicate when shelter-in-place is necessary
  • Shut off building’s air handling systems, gas, electric, water and other utilities (if necessary)
EDUCATORS
  • Bring children and staff to the predetermined areas within the center. Stay away from windows and doors.
  • Close and lock all windows and doors.
  • Gather disaster supplies and bring to the predetermined area, as applicable.
  • Conduct a head count to ensure everyone is present and accounted for in the area.
  • Wait for the “all clear” signal.
  • Keep your group together, be calm, follow all instructions, wait for “all clear” from Administration, and be as safe as possible.

LOCK-DOWN 

ADMIN
  • Be in contact with local officials and/or 911
  • If appropriate, announce “Attention, hostile intruder in ___ classroom”
  • Secure building entrances, ensuring that no unauthorized individuals leave or enter the building.
  • Once cleared with local officials, announce “all clear”
EDUCATORS
  • Bring children and staff to the predetermined areas within the center. Stay away from windows and doors.
  • Close and lock windows and doors and shut blinds
  • Turn off lights, put cell phone on silent mode.
  • Ensure that all children are present and accounted for and that no one leaves the classroom or designated safe area locations.
  • Encourage children to remain out of sight (e.g. get under desks, behind cabinets). If possible, engage in quiet storytime activities with the children until “all clear” is announced.
  •  If an active shooter, fight back as last resort
  • Keep your group together, be calm, follow all instructions, wait for “all clear” from Administration, and be as safe as possible.

UTILITY DISRUPTION (HEAT, TELEPHONE, POWER, WATER)

ADMIN
  • Report loss of electrical power immediately to the power company.
  • For phone service loss, an administrator will contact our telephone service provider to arrange for urgent repair and notify families alerting them to our status.
  • For loss of power, check the circuit breakers and provide flashlights to each classroom.
  • In the case of an extended power outage, call families to retrieve breast milk. Dispose of any food (and breast milk) that requires refrigeration.
  • If there is no definitive timetable for restoring utility after an hour, notify families to come pick up their child as soon as possible.
  • EDUCATORS

For loss of water, each location maintains a minimum of six gallons of water just for loss of water. Flush toilets with the supply of bottled water. Use wipes for washing hands after diapering and toileting to conserve the bottled water for drinking, flushing, and dishwashing.

In case of loss of heat during program hours, we’ll make every effort to stay open and maintain our regular routine. We’ll monitor the temperature and use portable heaters. If the temperature drops below 65° dress children warmly in coats/blankets as appropriate.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 

  • Notify an Administrator immediately of any suspected gas leaks or suspicious smells.
  • The Administrator will notify the gas company and fire department and follow their safety directions.
  • Be prepared to isolate the immediate area, evacuate, or take other precautions like sealing windows, doorways, shutting off air intake systems to provide protection from airborne hazardous materials.
  • If there is a temporary threat specific only to the premises, we will follow evacuation procedures, then follow the off-site evacuation procedures.
  • In the event of a major environmental hazard that necessitates a large evacuation – such as several neighborhoods – the local government agency will determine the mass shelter location. All educators must accompany their assigned children to the shelter and remain with them while the family/guardian/emergency contacts are notified, and arrangements are made for their pick-up.

Safety hazards

SERIOUS INJURY

EDUCATORS
  • Remain calm and with the child at all times.
  • One educator should begin emergency first aid while another educator takes the other children to another area or room and shields them as much as possible from viewing the emergency.
  • Alert Administration to send assistance.
  • Decide with Admin who will accompany child to hospital if EMS decides to transport.
  • The educator with the most knowledge of the incident must complete both sides and sign the Injury Report Form, and then give to the parent to sign. Copies of the form must be a) given to the parent; b) given to the Director during debriefing.
ADMIN
  • Contact 911 with details of emergency. If the EMS decides it’s necessary, they’ll transport the child via ambulance to the hospital.
  • Contact a parent, guardian, or emergency contact in the order designated by parents on the enrollment forms. Should time permit, the parent will be given the option of meeting the child at First Circle or at the hospital.
  • Decide with educator who will accompany the child to the hospital,
  • Bring to hospital the child’s records, including signed parental permission for emergency medical treatment. This will allow the doctors to begin treatment immediately. The staff member must remain with the child until the family arrives.
  • Until the arrival of a parent, the medical personnel at the hospital will be in charge and make all decisions necessary for emergency treatment.
  • Ensure educator completes Injury Report and send it to EEC.

MISSING, LOST, OR ABDUCTED CHILD 

On-Site

EDUCATORS
  • Conduct frequent head counts throughout the day and at all transitions (outside to playground, to bathrooms etc.)
  • If a child is missing, notify Admin immediately.
  • Remove other children to adjoining classroom.
  • Conduct an immediate search of the entire center and surrounding area.
ADMIN
  • Assist educators in conducting search.
  • Lock down the building and do not let anyone in or out.
  • Notify family.
  • Notify police once the initial search is made. Coordinate with police and the child’s teacher to provide identifying information (clothes, appearance, etc.).

Field trip

To prevent lost or missing children on a FIELD TRIP:

EDUCATORS
  • Conduct frequent headcounts while on a field trip.
  • Perform a “sweep” of the area or vehicle before leaving to be sure no child is overlooked.
  • All children attending field trips wear tie-dyed T-shirts and wrist bands with contact information for the school.
  • If a child is missing, notify Admin immediately.
  • Remove other children to another area.
  • Conduct an immediate search of the entire center and surrounding area.
  • Notify police once the initial search is made.
ADMIN
  • Assist educators in conducting search.
  • Notify family.
  • Coordinate with police and the child’s teacher to provide identifying information (clothes, appearance, etc.).

Violence hazards

PHYSICAL AND VERBAL THREATS

ADMIN
  • All verbal threats will be treated the same way as physical threats, and all physical threats made inside or outside the center will be taken seriously.
  • If the physical threat comes from within the center, notify law enforcement of the incident and communicate with the staff members involved in the incident.
  • Separate staff members involved in the altercation. Appropriate administrative actions will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the children.
EDUCATORS
  • Report and document any physical threats directed towards the children or other staff members to Administration.
  • Regardless of whether the physical threat comes from outside or inside the center, remove the children safely from the area in which the altercation is taking place (partial evacuation), and return them only after the situation has been resolved.

INTRUDER

ADMIN
  • Be in contact with local officials and/or 911.
  • If appropriate, announce “Attention, hostile intruder in ___ classroom.”
  • Initiate lock-down. Secure building entrances, ensuring that no one leaves or enters the building.
  • Administration will be responsible for all notifications (including emergency personnel, staff, and families), including “all clear.”
EDUCATORS
  • If you notice an unfamiliar unaccompanied person, ask that person how they can be helped.
  • Should someone exhibit strange or aggressive behavior, report this to an administrator immediately.
  • Remain calm and be polite. Do not physically restrain or block their movement.
  • Certain situations may also require educators to gather the children in their care and quickly leave the building, following evacuation procedures.
  • The bottom line is that each situation is different, and we will all do our best. There is no way to plan for every possibility, or how each of us will react.

ACTIVE SHOOTER

There are three basic steps to survival during an active shooter incident: “Run, Hide, Fight.”

  • RUN: If you are able to escape, evacuate yourself and children to safety and then contact law enforcement (e.g. 911).
  • HIDE: If you and the children are not able to evacuate, use a modified lockdown procedure by hiding, keeping the children as calm and quiet as possible to try to avoid detection.
  • FIGHT: As a last resort, in order to protect yourself and the children, fight the shooter with aggression and improvised weapons (e.g. anything you can throw at the shooter such as books, fire extinguisher, canned goods, etc.)
  • If an intruder leaves with a child or staff member, it is often better to let them leave rather than prompt a confrontation that would increase the risk of injury.

Abuse + neglect policy

This is First Circle’s complete Abuse and Neglect Policy. Under the law, mandated reporters are protected from liability in any civil or criminal action and from any discriminatory or retaliatory actions by an employer. If a staff member has a concern about a child or fellow educator, the first step we require is to report the concerns immediately to the Director or, in her absence, any member of First Circle Administration, with as much detail as possible. Staff are required to follow the requirements and process outlined in this policy with no exception. We provide regular in-service training to all staff on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect. For new staff, this is covered in the orientation.

It is the responsibility of each staff member to report any suspected abuse or neglect, including abuse by another staff member [see Mandated Reporter section below].

OVERVIEW

BASIC NEEDS

We are committed to each child’s physical, emotional, and psychological health and well-being. To help our staff respond to a child’s needs, we ask that parents keep us apprised of any change to their child’s health that might adversely affect them. If a parent has any difficulty caring for their child’s needs, we encourage them to ask for help. The Director can provide a confidential referral to a community resource for any parent experiencing a need for additional support. 

CONCERNS

Children are observed on a regular basis by educators and by administrative staff. If a staff member has a concern regarding a child’s basic needs, they should inform the Director and maintain a written log recording their observations. The Director will hold a conference with the parent to inform them of these concerns and to assist them in finding ways to meet those needs. The Director will document the meeting in writing for the parent and give them a list of current referral resources to assist in this process. If the parent chooses not to seek appropriate services for the child and/or neglect or abuse is suspected by the teachers, our staff must follow state law to file a report with DCF [see below].

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Under Massachusetts law, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state agency that receives all reports of suspected abuse or neglect of children under the age of 18. DCF’S primary mission is to protect children who have been abused or neglected in a family setting. DCF seeks to ensure that each child has a safe, nurturing, permanent home. The Department also provides a range of preventive services to support and strengthen families with children at risk of abuse or neglect. DCF depends on reports from professionals and other concerned individuals to learn about children who may need protection. The Department receives reports on more than 100,000 children each year. State law requires professionals whose work brings them in contact with children to notify DCF if they suspect that a child has been – or is at risk of being – abused or neglected.

MANDATED REPORTERS

Anyone may report concerns of child abuse and neglect to DCF as non-mandated reporters. However, as defined by Chapter 119, Section 51A, As defined by Chapter 119, Section 51A, any person working in an early education, preschool, or childcare is a mandated reporter, and therefore must file a report when they believe a child is being abused or neglected.

Massachusetts law requires mandated reporters to immediately make an oral or written report to DCF when, in their professional capacity, they have reasonable cause to believe that a child under the age of 18 is suffering from abuse and/or neglect. In addition to filing with the Department a mandated reporter may notify local law enforcement or the Office of the Child Advocate of any suspected abuse and/or neglect. You should report any physical or emotional injury resulting from abuse; any indication of neglect, including malnutrition; any instance in which a child is determined to be physically dependent upon an addictive drug at birth; or death as a result of abuse and/or neglect. Any mandated reporter who fails to make required oral and written reports can be punished by a fine of up to $1,000.

Under the law, mandated reporters are protected from liability in any civil or criminal action and from any discriminatory or retaliatory actions by an employer.

DEFINITIONS

Under the Department of Children and Families regulations (110 CMR, section 2.00), abuse and neglect are defined as the following:

Abuse

The non-accidental commission of any act by a caretaker upon a child under age 18 which causes, or creates a substantial risk of, physical or emotional injury; or constitutes a sexual offense under the laws of the Commonwealth; or any sexual contact between a caretaker and a child under the care of that individual. This definition is not dependent upon location (i.e., abuse can occur while the child is in an out-of-home or in-home setting).

Neglect

Failure by a caretaker, either deliberately or through negligence or inability, to provide a child with minimally adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, supervision, emotional stability and growth, or other essential care; provided, however, that such inability is not due solely to inadequate economic resources or solely to the existence of a handicapping condition. This definition is not dependent upon location (i.e., neglect can occur while the child is in the home or out of the home).

Physical Injury

Fracture of a bone, a subdural hematoma, bums, impairment of any organ, and any other such nontrivial injury; or soft tissue swelling or skin bruising, depending upon such factors as the child’s age, circumstances under which the injury occurred and the number and location of bruises; or addiction to a drug or drugs at birth; or failure to thrive, up to death.

Emotional Injury

An impairment to or disorder of the intellectual or psychological capacity of a child as evidenced by observable and substantial reduction in the child’s ability to function within a normal range of performance and behavior.

“Caretaker” 

Can be a child’s parent, stepparent, guardian, or any household member entrusted with the responsibility for a child’s health or welfare. In addition, any other person entrusted with the responsibility for a child’s health or welfare, both in and out of the child’s home, regardless of age, is considered a caretaker. Examples may include relatives from outside the home, teachers or school staff in a school setting, workers at day care and childcare centers (including babysitters), foster parents, staff at a group care facility, or persons charged with caring for children in any other comparable setting.

PROCEDURE

First Circle’s procedures for staff to report concerns of abuse and/or neglect:

Concerns

 If you have a concern about a child, but have not witnessed abuse or neglect, you should report your concerns immediately to the Director or, in her absence, a member of First Circle’s Administration, with as much detail as possible.

The Administrator notified will assess the observations and facts that cause a staff member to believe a child has been abused or neglected. The Director will confer with other staff members involved in the care of the child in question and will review the child’s records. The Director may consult with the child’s parents. The Director will assist you in deciding whether to file a report. It is our goal to arrive at a consensus as to whether to file a report. However, this may not always be possible, and First Circle will always respect a staff member’s decision if they choose to report, and no punitive or retaliatory measures will ever be taken against the staff member.

REASONABLE CAUSE

If you witness or are told by a child of abuse or neglect by a caretaker, or you otherwise suspect abuse or neglect, you should immediately report the information to Administration, with as much detail as possible.

Any discussion with the child about the incident should be conducted by a professional with expertise in this area.

You are mandated to report such suspicions, regardless of your own relationship to the family. Either the Director or the person with the most direct contact/information must make a verbal report by phone to DCF no later than the end of the business day during which the abuse or neglect was witnessed or revealed or suspected. In a case where a child would be at imminent risk of serious injury, the report will be made within an hour after the concerns are identified. To make a report, call the DCF Area Office (see numbers below) and ask for the Protective Screening Unit.

LEXINGTON
  • Arlington Area Office
  • 781-641-8500
  • Southern
FRAMINGHAM
  • Framingham Area Office
  • 508-424-0100
  • Northern
STOUGHTON
  • Brockton Area Office
  • 508-894-3700
  • Southern

After DCF has been notified, the Director may notify the parent or guardian, unless the notification will, as decided by First Circle administration, endanger the child’s safety or well-being.

The person who notified DCF is required by law to mail or fax a written report to the Department within 48 hours after making the oral report. The report should include any other information you believe might be helpful in establishing the cause of the injury and/or person responsible.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

When DCF receives a report of abuse and/or neglect, called a “51A report,” from either a mandated reporter or another concerned citizen, DCF is required to evaluate the allegations and determine the safety of the child. During DCF’s response process, all mandated reporters are required to answer the Department’s questions and provide information to assist in determining whether a child is being abused and/or neglected and in assessing the child’s safety in the household. The information provided includes:

  • all identifying information you have about the child and parent or other caretaker, if known;
  • the nature and extent of the suspected abuse or neglect, including any evidence or knowledge of prior injury, abuse, maltreatment, or neglect;
  • the circumstances under which you first became aware of the child’s injuries, abuse, maltreatment or neglect;
  • what action, if any, has been taken thus far to treat, shelter, or otherwise assist the child

 Once DCF has received a report, the process is as follows:

The report is screened in or out

The purpose of the screening process is to gather sufficient information to determine whether the allegation meets the Department’s criteria for suspected abuse and/or neglect, whether there is immediate danger to the safety of a child, whether DCF involvement is warranted and how best to target the Department’s initial response. The Department begins the screening process immediately on receipt of a report. During the screening process, DCF obtains information from the person filing the report and contacts professionals involved with the family, such as doctors or teachers who may be able to provide information about the child’s condition. DCF may also contact the family if appropriate.

If the report is Screened In, it is assigned either for a Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation or Assessment Response.

  • CPS Investigation: Generally, cases of suspected sexual or serious physical abuse or severe neglect will be assigned to the CPS Investigation Response. The severity of the situation will dictate whether it requires an emergency or non-emergency investigation. The primary purpose of the Investigation Response is to determine the current safety and the potential risk to the reported child, the validity of an allegation, identification of person(s) responsible and whether DCF intervention is necessary.
  • CPS Assessment Response: Generally, moderate or lower risk allegations are assigned to the CPS Assessment Response. The primary purpose of the Assessment Response is to determine if DCF involvement is necessary and to engage and support families. This response involves a review of the reported allegations, assessing safety and risk of the child, identifying family strengths and determining what, if any, supports and services are needed.
  • A determination is made as to the validity of the allegation, whether the child can safely remain at home, and whether the family would benefit from continued DCF involvement. If DCF involvement continues, a Comprehensive Assessment and Service Plan are developed with the family.
  • If the Department determines that a child has been sexually abused or sexually exploited, has suffered serious physical abuse and/or injury, or has died as a result of abuse and/or neglect, DCF must notify local law enforcement as well as the District Attorney, who have the authority to file criminal charges.
  • The mandated reporter who filed the report will receive a copy of the decision letter that is sent to the parents or caretaker. In that letter you will be informed of the Department’s response, the determination and whether DCF is opening a case for continued DCF involvement.

If the report is Screened Out, DCF ceases their investigation, and no further action is taken.

TIMEFRAMES

SCREENING:
  • Begins immediately for all reports. For an emergency response, it is completed within two hours. For a non-emergency response, screening may take up to three business days as appropriate.
EMERGENCY INVESTIGATION:
  • Must begin within two hours and be completed within five business days of the report.
NON-EMERGENCY INVESTIGATION:
  • Must begin within two business days and be completed within 15 business days of the report.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT:
  • Must begin within two business days and be completed within 15 business days of the report.
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT:
  • May take up to 45 business days.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A STAFF MEMBER

In addition to the procedures listed above, the following shall apply to any allegation of abuse or neglect against a staff member:

  • Once DCF has been notified, the Director will immediately confer with the staff member against whom the allegation has been made, and then immediately notify the Department of Early Education and Care. Whether DCF screens the allegation in or out, EEC will conduct its own investigation.
  • The staff member will immediately be suspended with or without pay for a period not to exceed five (5) working days, pending investigations. While suspended with pay, the employee shall retain all benefits. No accused staff member may continue to provide direct care to children until an investigation has been completed by First Circle, EEC, DCF, and the allegation is proven to be unfounded.
  • If no resolution is made within five (5) business days and a more extensive investigation is undertaken, the employee will be placed on suspension without pay indefinitely. At no time during an investigation for alleged abuse shall the accused staff member be permitted to provide direct care to children. During this time, the employee shall retain all benefits except for base pay. If the allegations are determined to be “not supported” by DCF and EEC, the employee will be reinstated with full benefits and pay.
  • First Circle staff will cooperate in all investigations of abuse and neglect, including identifying parents of children currently or previously enrolled in the program, as well as allowing open communication of information with any person or agency the Department of Early Education and Care deems necessary to the investigation of the allegations and protection of children.
  • No statement, oral or written, should be made by any staff member other than the Administration to any person not directly involved with the investigation. Questions from parents or other children enrolled at First Circle, other staff members, or the news media must be referred to the Administration.
  • Educators are responsible for abuse and neglect if: 1) (s)he admits to causing the abuse or neglect, or 2) the educator is convicted of the abuse and neglect in a criminal proceeding, or 3) EEC determines, based on its own investigation conducted by the DCF that there is reasonable cause to believe that the educator caused the abuse and neglect while children were in their care. If the allegations against the staff member are supported by DCF and EEC, employment will be immediately terminated.