RE: Mandated Reporting Laws

[Evelyn.Mahairas@xxxxxxxxxx]

This may have already been distributed, but I'd like to "piggy-back" on this
inquiry.  What can be done when the agency does not accept the mandated
reported, denies it is a mandate [incorrectly], and holds the professional
MR in a different perspective due to a personal relationship [maternal
grandmother]?  In this instance, the initial physical abuse report had been
ignored.  Moreover, when sexual abuse was reported, that information was
supressed [although submitted by an independent court child care facility],
so that the court was not informed.  Even more telling, plaintiff attorneys
appear to be intimidated by the power of this specific county C&Y agency and
are fearful of recriminations.  Who does the oversight to an agency that
ignores child protection laws for the commonwealth and sides with the
perpertrator against the mother who is trying to protect the child?  Is this
phenomenon unique within a county jurisdiction without accountability? Or is
it manifested more frequently than known by the public domain?

-----Original Message-----
From: Carol A Burnside [mailto:CBurnside@orhc.com]
Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 9:59 AM
To: Child Maltreatment Researchers
Subject: RE: Mandated Reporting Laws 


Iowa Code specifically states the consequences of failure to report or
interfering with someone else making a report- it is a misdemeanor, they can
get jail time and/or a fine, and they can be liable for civil damages.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Swtp5@aol.com [mailto:Swtp5@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2002 8:17 PM
To: Child Maltreatment Researchers
Subject: Mandated Reporting Laws 


Hi everyone -

I am seeking some help. We are having a HUGE problem with mandated reporters
(MR) not following the legal guidelines, i.e., not calling in reports at all
or in a timely fashion; simply sending in the reporting form; or calling
after several months of witnessing behavioral issues (i.e., a teacher who
watched a child sexually act out all year). I am trying to determine how
other states/counties/jurisdictions deal with this problem. We inform MRs
who have not followed these guidelines verbally, but, quite frankly, they
could care less. 

Please help!!

thanks

Beverly