Child Abuse Reporting Survey: Educators RespondShelby County Citizens Review PanelShelby County School DistrictMemphis City SchoolsRebekah Miller, Rhodes College Denise Alexander, MSSW, University of TN Memphis Child Advocacy Center

Citizen Review Mandate

Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) created these panels in 1996 as part of the reauthorization of CAPTA.

Citizen Review Panels (CRP) are groups of citizen volunteers who are federally mandated to conduct an evaluation of their states child protective service agencies.

Citizen Review Panels in TennesseeMontgomery County CRP Northwest Region Shelby County

Basis of Survey

Assurance: procedures for immediate screening, safety assessment, and prompt investigation of reports.

TCA 37-1-406 and 37-1-606 Receive and responds to reports of child abuse and neglect 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

The TCA also requires training of education personnel regarding recognizing and reporting a/n

Shelby County/Memphis

Largest urban area in Tennessee

897,492+ population

259,171 children in school 3 years and over

CPS Intake In Tennessee95 counties that receive referrals

Proposed centralized intake in 1999

Began Sept. 2002 in 3 pilot regions-Shelby county was included in the initial pilot program

Tennessee Centralized IntakeIn February 2003 added 2 more regions

Currently 5 regions in Tennessee with Centralized Intake 24/7

Central Intake also receives reports for Special Investigations Unit

Central Intake Regions Upper CumberlandSouth EastSouth CentralDavidsonShelby

Reasons for Central IntakeConsistent screening statewideAbility to free case managers to concentrate on investigations and services to familiesScreening decisions based on information rather than staffing patterns.Ability to provide Tennesseans with immediate response to child welfare concerns

Challenges of Centralized IntakeSignificant increase in overall numbers of reports received within the areain Shelby County

Jan-June 20022800 referrals received 2002 data may have been under reportedJan-June 2003---4530 referrals received

Higher percentage of referrals assigned by Central Intake

Challenges of Central Intake

Resistance of local professionals due to out of town initial contactexternally

Resistance within due to change of decision making process

The Survey

With permission to use a survey developed in Arizona, the CRP members adapted the survey 13 itemsYes/no6 open ended or if yes, explain

Professional identification

Focuses on 3 areas

Reporting Training DCS Response

Satisfaction in all three areas

Target Audience for Survey

Initial targeted audienceEveryoneNarrowed the focus health providerseducators

Target Audience

Collected names of Doctors/Pediatricians/HospitalsMailed 245 SurveysReceived approximately 14%

CRP Members from Shelby County School System and the Memphis City School System agreed to distribute the survey electronically within each school system.

Graduate students are essential!

RespondentsMemphis City SchoolsPossible pool of respondents was 7,183. 4,290 responded (59.7%)All the respondents in the Memphis City School District were teachers.

Respondents Shelby County School System

The entire Shelby County School System staff includes:2830 Teachers 93 Administrators 95 Counselors 208 clerical staff.

Respondents

Shelby County Schools936 respondents- 29% response rate Of those participating in the survey:753 were Teachers (81%)79 Administrators (9%)48 Counselors (5%), 40 were clerical staff (4%)3 were Behavioral Specialists2 were Social Workers.

Question 1: Have you received any type of training related to child abuse and identification in the past 2 years?

Chart1

0.5491452991

0.3579059829

0.0929487179

Shelby County Schools, Training?N=936

Sheet1

Yes0.5491452991

No0.3579059829

Unsure0.0929487179

Yes0.1341954023

No0.4329022989

Unsure0.0387931034

Sheet1

0

0

0

Shelby County Schools Training?

Sheet2

0

0

0

Memphis City Schools Training?

Sheet3

Chart3

0.1341954023

0.4329022989

0.0387931034

Memphis City Schools Training?N=4217

Sheet1

Yes0.5491452991

No0.3579059829

Unsure0.0929487179

Yes0.1341954023

No0.4329022989

Unsure0.0387931034

Sheet1

0

0

0

Shelby County Schools Training?

Sheet2

0

0

0

Memphis City Schools Training?

Sheet3

Question 2: Are You Interested In Receiving Training Related to Child Abuse and Identification and Reporting?

Chart3

0.57

0.22

0.22

Shelby County Schools Interest in TrainingN=931

Sheet1

Yes, Voluntary Training13%

No36%

Unsure9%

Yes, Required Training42%

Yes22.10%

No71.40%

Unsure6.40%

Yes57%

No22%

Unsure22%

Sheet1

0

0

0

0

Chart I: Shelby County Training Related to Child Abuse in the Last Two Years

Unsure9%

No36%

Yes, Voluntary Training13%

Sheet2

0

0

0

Chart II: Memphis City Training for Child Abuse in Last Two Years

Sheet3

0

0

0

Chart III: Shelby County Schools Interest in Training

Chart4

0.688

0.181

0.121

Memphis City Schools Interest in TrainingN=4252

Sheet1

Yes, Voluntary Training13%

No36%

Unsure9%

Yes, Required Training42%

Yes22.10%

No71.40%

Unsure6.40%

Yes57%

No22%

Unsure22%

Yes68.80%

No18.10%

Unsure12.10%

Sheet1

0

0

0

0

Chart I: Shelby County Training Related to Child Abuse in the Last Two Years

Unsure9%

No36%

Yes, Voluntary Training13%

Sheet2

0

0

0

Chart II: Memphis City Training for Child Abuse in Last Two Years

Sheet3

0

0

0

Chart III: Shelby County Schools Interest in Training

0

0

0

Chart IV: Memphis City Schools Interest in Training

Question 3: Does Your School have a Procedure in Place for reporting suspected cases of child abuse and neglect?

Chart2

0.8940042827

0.0064239829

0.0995717345

Shelby County SchoolsN=934

Sheet1

Yes22.1

No71.4

Unsure6.4

Yes55%

No5.80%

Unsure39.20%

Yes0.8940042827

No0.0064239829

Unsure0.0995717345

Sheet1

0

0

0

Memphis City Schools

Sheet2

0

0

0

Memphis City Schools

Sheet3

0

0

0

Shelby County Schools

MBD032CEA0A.xls

Chart1

0.55

0.36

0.09

Shelby County SchoolsTraining

Yes13%

No36%

Unsure9%

Sheet1

Yes,55%

No36%

Unsure9%

Sheet1

0

0

0

Chart I: Shelby County Training Related to Child Abuse in the Last Two Years

Unsure9%

No36%

Yes, Training13%

Sheet2

Sheet3

MBD032CC12C.xls

Chart2

0.221

0.714

0.064

Memphis City Schools Training

Sheet1

Yes, Voluntary Training13%

No36%

Unsure9%

Yes, Required Training42%

Yes22.10%

No71.40%

Unsure6.40%

Sheet1

0

0

0

0

Chart I: Shelby County Training Related to Child Abuse in the Last Two Years

Unsure9%

No36%

Yes, Voluntary Training13%

Sheet2

0

0

0

Chart II: Memphis City Training for Child Abuse in Last Two Years

Sheet3

Chart3

0.55

0.058

0.392

Memphis City SchoolsN=4275

Sheet1

Yes22.1

No71.4

Unsure6.4

Yes55%

No5.80%

Unsure39.20%

Yes0.8940042827

No0.0064239829

Unsure0.0995717345

Yes0.2177156177

No0.7023310023

Unsure0.0629370629

Sheet1

0

0

0

Memphis City Schools

Sheet2

0

0

0

Memphis City Schools

Sheet3

0

0

0

Shelby County Schools

MBD032CEA0A.xls

Chart1

0.55

0.36

0.09

Shelby County SchoolsTraining

Yes13%

No36%

Unsure9%

Sheet1

Yes,55%

No36%

Unsure9%

Sheet1

0

0

0

Chart I: Shelby County Training Related to Child Abuse in the Last Two Years

Unsure9%

No36%

Yes, Training13%

Sheet2

Sheet3

MBD032CC12C.xls

Chart2

0.221

0.714

0.064

Memphis City Schools Training

Sheet1

Yes, Voluntary Training13%

No36%

Unsure9%

Yes, Required Training42%

Yes22.10%

No71.40%

Unsure6.40%

Sheet1

0

0

0

0

Chart I: Shelby County Training Related to Child Abuse in the Last Two Years

Unsure9%

No36%

Yes, Voluntary Training13%

Sheet2

0

0

0

Chart II: Memphis City Training for Child Abuse in Last Two Years

Sheet3

Question 6: How many times have you contacted DCS in the past five years?

Chart2

0.14

0.04

0.04

0.79

Shelby County SchoolsN=924

4-64%

1-314%

Sheet1

1--313.90%

4--61.00%

7+0.40%

No reponse84.70%

1--314%

4--64%

7+4%

Not applicable79%

Sheet1

0

0

0

0

Chart VI: Memphis City Schools Times Reported Child Abuse

1-314%

4-61%

Sheet2

0

0

0

0

Chart V: Shelby County Schools Times Reported Child Abuse

1-314%

Sheet3

Chart1

0.139

0.01

0.004

0.847

Memphis City SchoolsN=4290

4-61%

1-314%

Sheet1

1--313.90%

4--61.00%

7+0.40%

No reponse84.70%

1--314%

4--64%

7+4%

Not applicable79%

Sheet1

0

0

0

0

Chart VI: Memphis City Schools Times Reported Child Abuse

1-314%

4-61%

Sheet2

Sheet3

Question 8: Have you called or faxed in a report in the last six months to TN DCS using the centralized intake number?

Chart4

0.07

0.93

Shelby County SchoolsLast Six Months Used Central Intake?N=928

No 93%

Sheet1

1--313.90%

4--61.00%

7+0.40%

No reponse84.70%

1--314%

4--64%

7+4%

Not applicable79%

Yes7%

No93%

Yes1.40%

No30.70%

No reponse67.90%

Yes7%

No93%

Sheet1

0

0

0

0

Chart VI: Memphis City Schools Times Reported Child Abuse

1-314%

4-61%

Sheet2

0

0

0

0

Chart V: Shelby County Schools Times Reported Child Abuse

1-314%

Sheet3

0

0

0

Chart VIII: Memphis City Schools Last Six Months Used Central Intake?

0

0

Chart VII: Shelby County SchoolsLast Six Months Used Central Intake?

No 93%

Chart3

0.014

0.307

0.679

Memphis City Schools Last Six Months Used Central Intake?N=4290

Sheet1

1--313.90%

4--61.00%

7+0.40%

No reponse84.70%

1--314%

4--64%

7+4%

Not applicable79%

Yes7%

No93%

Yes1.40%

No30.70%

No reponse67.90%

Sheet1

0

0

0

0

Chart VI: Memphis City Schools Times Reported Child Abuse

1-314%

4-61%

Sheet2

0

0

0

0

Chart V: Shelby County Schools Times Reported Child Abuse

1-314%

Sheet3

0

0

0

Chart VIII: Memphis City Schools Last Six Months Used Central Intake?

Question 12: Rate your experience with reporting to TN Department of Childrens Services centralized intake.

Chart6

124

91

60

197

130

55

Overall Satisfaction with Reporting to DCS Central Intake Memphis City Schools N=657

Satisfactory30%

Good20%

Excellent8%

No Response19%

Fair14%

Poor9%

Sheet1

15

27

59

43

15

758

124

91

60

197

130

55

Sheet1

15

27

59

43

15

758

Overall Satisfaction with Centralized Intake Shelby County Schools N=917

N/A82%

Fair3%

Satisfactory6%

Good5%

Excellent2%

Poor2%

Sheet2

124

91

60

197

130

55

Overall Satisfaction with REporting to DCS Memphis City Schools N=657

Sheet3

Question 12: Rate your experience with reporting to TN Department of Childrens Services centralized intake.

Very Satisfied-Satisfied 17%

Not Satisfied 10%

N/A 74%

Question 11: Have you ever experienced a negative consequence from your reporting to CI?

Of the 70 who reported neg consequences:Parents were angry 27%Nothing was done by DCS 26%Principal reprimanded teacher for making report 10%

Chart2

70

497

90

Negative ConsequencesCity Schools N=657

Yes11%

No14%

No Response75%

Sheet1

36

20

839

70

497

90

Sheet1

0

0

0

Negative Consequences N=657

No Response75%

No14%

Yes11%

Sheet2

Sheet3

Question 11: Have you ever experienced a negative consequence from your reporting to CI?

Felt like child was in more danger after the report as a result of DCS interventionchild begged me to never mention the abuse to anyone againLength of time it took for the investigation to begin

Chart3

27

129

752

Negative Consequences for Reporting Shelby County Schools N=908

No14%

Yes3%

N/A83%

Sheet1

36

20

839

70

497

90

27

129

752

Sheet1

0

0

0

Negative Consequences N=657

No Response75%

No14%

Yes11%

Sheet2

0

0

0

Negative Consequences County School N=908

N/A83%

Yes3%

No14%

Sheet3

Shelby County Schools: Top 5 reasons did not report if suspected Total 259 Respondents.

I reported the case to school admin 29%

Unsure what I saw constituted abuse or neglect 14%

Shelby County Top 5 Reasons

The policy at my school is to report school admin or guidance counselor 11%

I was unsure of the procedure to follow 8%

I reported to school admin but they decided not to report it 7%

Question 9: If you have called or faxed within the last 6 months how were you treated?

Chart1

41

14

4

3

Memphis City SchoolsHow were you treated if called last 6 months ?N=62

Fair23%

Good66%

N/A5%

Poor6%

Sheet1

41

14

4

3

Sheet1

0

0

0

0

Memphis City SchoolsHow were you treated if called last 6 months ?N=62

Poor6%

N/A5%

Good66%

Fair23%

Sheet2

Sheet3

Chart3

52

15

2

803

Shelby County Schools How were you treated if called last 6 months? N=872

Good6%

Fair2%

Poor0%

N/A92%

Sheet1

52

15

2

803

Sheet1

0

0

0

0

Shelby County Schools How were you treated if called last 6 months? N=872

N/A92%

Poor0%

Fair2%

Good6%

Sheet2

Sheet3

Question 10 If you requested information when you called or faxed centralized intake on the outcome of a report(s), did you receive it?

Chart6

0.75

0.25

DCS ResponseMemphis City SchoolsN=61

Sheet1

Yes0.5491452991

No0.3579059829

Unsure0.0929487179

Yes0.1341954023

No0.4329022989

Unsure0.0387931034

Yes0.6428571429

No0.3571428571

Yes0.75

No0.25

Sheet1

0

0

0

Shelby County Schools Training?

Sheet2

0

0

0

Memphis City Schools Training?

Sheet3

0

0.357142857

0

0

Shebly County Response?

0

0

Memphis City Schools

Chart1

36

20

839

DCS Response Shelby County N=895

No2%

Yes4%

N/A94%

Sheet1

36

20

839

Sheet1

0

0

0

DCS Response Shelby County N=895

N/A94%

Yes4%

No2%

Sheet2

Sheet3

Lessons Learned Wording of questions regarding individual reporting

Teachers having concerns must report it to the principal and/or guidance counselor.

The teacher could have assumed that the principal made the report to DCS.

Lessons Learned Continued

This affected perceptions of feedback/satisfaction of DCS

Some principals investigate on their own

Be sure to speak with those distributing survey to ensure consistent questionse.g.., n/a versus no response

Trends

The majority of teachers are aware of the school policy for child abuse. However, many comments show confusion about the reporting/procedures

e.g., does their report to the administration (principle and/or counselor) meet the legal mandate for the reporting suspected child abuse

TrendsThere is inconsistency on individual responses regarding the view of DCS response to their report.

Teachers perceive that they dont generally get feedback from DCS

There appears to be limited experience with central intake or apparent knowledge of the change.

One explanation may be that school policy requires only a report to others within their system.

Recommendations

Provide mandated training throughout the educational systems, consistently and routinely.

Schools and DCS review and evaluate the content of the training presented for consistency and accuracy.

Schools have a contact person within DCSor personal connection

Clarify role of school administration in the reporting process. The process can work to protect the teacher, but makes the reporting open to lack of detail and inaccuracies

Recommendations

Clarify the role and responsibility of those (DCS and administration) giving feedback to the teacher or other initial reporter.

Work with City and County Schools to develop a consistent method of reporting within both systems

Follow-up by teachers after concerns were shared to admin to ensure report was made

Resolution of mandated reporting when a suspecting professional does not make the call

The questions on the survey specifically referred to the level of training respondents had in:child abuse identification and reportingparticipation in traininginterest in trainingThe frequency of interaction and satisfaction with TN DCS Child Protective Services (CPS).

The survey also questioned respondents knowledge about the centralized intake and gave an opportunity for additional comments.

Took out health care from final tally due to difference in responses

The survey also questioned respondents knowledge about the centralized intake and gave an opportunity for additional comments.

925 indicated positionIn shelby county everyone had signed a form saying that they had received trainingafter they received training. Did not break out, but 81% of the respondents were teachers and only 55% said they had received training.The wording of the question is problematichow many times have you made reports, may be perceived as the individual picking up the phone and calling the report in when procedure may indicate otherwise.Again, question is problematic in that the question asked have you called or faxed