Section: Student Affairs
Policy title: Child Protection Law
Effective Date: December 14, 2004
Last Revision Date: N/A
Approved: December 14, 2004

Purpose
To establish guidelines for identifying and reporting any suspicion of child abuse and put measures in place that protects employees and students through training and adequate supervision.

Scope
Staff, faculty, and others associated with the College who are teaching, tutoring, training, supervising, or caring for children on Marygrove’s campus.

Statement of Policy
Marygrove has a zero tolerance of child abuse. The College holds accountable each individual within the community to uphold appropriate standards of conduct with children. We will abide by the State of Michigan Child Protection Laws.

General Guidelines

The four major types of Child Abuse are:

• Physical
• Sexual
• Emotional
• Neglect

Staff Training:
All employees who are in positions which require them to teach, tutor, train, supervise or care for children will be required to attend a workshop related to recognizing the signs of child abuse and implementation of this policy. Each will receive a copy of this policy and will sign a statement attesting to the familiarity with said contents.

Documentation Procedures:
As appropriate, the College will follow documentation procedures outlined by the State of Michigan Family Independence Agency. Students or personnel who observe or are informed of evidence of child abuse are required to document this information in writing and present it immediately to his or her supervisor. Students should provide documentation to the appropriate supervisor of the department in question.

Suspected child abuse within the school setting:
If child abuse is suspected within the school setting, Marygrove has responsibility to investigate the situation and may report the relevant information to the State of Michigan Family Independence Agency. The employee (s) involved in the situation will be suspended with pay pending the results of the investigation.

Suspected child abuse outside of the school setting:
If a Marygrove College employee suspects that a child has been abused, they are obligated to report their suspicion to the appropriate supervisor. The State of Michigan Family Independence Agency may be contacted after completion of the review of the situation. The parent will still be allowed to bring the child to the Marygrove and attend the applicable sessions pending the results of the review.

Reporting procedures
All childcare complaints should be referred to the appropriate supervisor who has responsibility for documentation and resolution of department complaints. The supervisor will involve the Judicial Affairs Officer in Students Affairs or the Human Resources Director depending upon the nature of the complaint. The Human Resources Director will be involved in employee cases. Student cases will be referred to the Judicial Affairs Officer. Non-student or non-employee cases will be referred to the campus safety.

Complaints
Anyone on campus can file a child abuse complaint on behalf of a child. Staff and student can file a complaint about a parent; and parents can file complaints about staff and students. Staff must notify the their immediate supervisor if they suspect abuse. The immediate supervisor will insure that a complaint form is completed and signed, will fully investigate the situation, and decide which course of action is appropriate relative to resolution of the matter.

In the event a child verbalizes a potential child abuse situation, the Child Care Coordinator or appropriate supervisor should talk with the child and document the incident. Based upon what the child says, the Child Care Coordinator or appropriate supervisor may contact the State.

When will police be involved
The police will be contacted when there is physical evidence of abuse.

Background Checks
All staff of Marygrove College who work with children will complete a criminal background check. Any unsatisfactory background check will result in immediate termination.

Adequate Supervision
Appropriate supervision of all other children’s activities sponsored by the College will be delineated to ensure the safety of each child.

Confidentiality
The appropriate supervisor with responsibility for employees who work with children will advocate with care and consideration for both parent and child, seeing that all matters are handled with professionalism and confidentiality.