All educators, school personnel and ordained clergy leaders in Ohio are mandated reporters and are required by law to report suspicions of child abuse and neglect either to law enforcement or to Summit County Children Services (SCCS).
Summit County Children Services (SCCS) is the child welfare protection agency in Summit County mandated to assess reports of child abuse and neglect.
To make a confidential report of child abuse and neglect, call SCCS’ 24-hour child abuse and neglect hotline at (330) 434-KIDS (5437). Your call will be answered by trained social work professionals who will ask you questions about the suspected child abuse and neglect.
IMPORTANT! If you suspect a child’s safety or well-being is at risk or in danger, please call 911. You should never make a report of child abuse and neglect to SCCS online or through email … always call the 24-hour child abuse and neglect hotline.
Below are some frequently asked questions specific to the school teachers, school nurses, school administrators and day care personnel.
School teachers, school administrators and other school authorities should report known or suspected child abuse or neglect by calling Summit County Children Services (SCCS) or their local police department. The report must be made by the original observer. The legal mandate to report cannot be delegated to another person.
Yes! The law gives SCCS social workers the authority to take photographs of areas of trauma visible on the child. If the SCCS social worker is a female, it is suggested that a male school authority assist in taking photographs of a male child, and vice versa.
No. Once school personnel know or suspect child abuse or neglect has occurred, the law requires that they report to SCCS or to their local law enforcement official.
Yes. Applicable law (Ohio Administrative Code, section 5101:2-36-03) permits Children Services to interview a child at school subject to the consent of the school and without consent of the parent in the following situations:
Should an alleged child victim (ACV) provide information during an interview that indicates a sibling might be in immediate danger of serious harm or that the sibling could provide information regarding immediate danger or serious harm to the ACV, the interview of the sibling who was not identified as an ACV may commence.
No. The social worker is responsible for interviewing the child. A school official is not required but may be present to provide comfort to the child as a trusted adult.
This is possible only if the social worker has obtained an emergency custody order from Summit County Juvenile Court, has parental permission or is accompanied by a law enforcement officer who removes the child under the authority of Juvenile Rule 6.
Below are some frequently asked questions specific to clergy leaders.
Clerics and designated church leaders (but not church volunteers) are mandated reporters and should report whenever such a person knows or has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse and neglect. A cleric is not required to report information received in a cleric-penitent relationship if there is civil or criminal testimonial privilege, unless:
Are there any tips on reporting?
Yes. When making a report of known or suspected child abuse or neglect, you should:
