Reporting Child Abuse

Standards of Ethical Conduct 

(adapted from the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida and Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida)

Our school values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of democratic citizenship. Essential to the achievement of these standards are the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all.

Our primary concern is the student and the development of the student’s potential. Employees will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity.

Concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel: a. Shall make       reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student’s mental and/or physical health and/or safety.

1. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to  learning  and/or to the student’s mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
2. Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.
3. Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.
4. Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student’s academic program.
5. Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
6. Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student’s legal rights.
7. Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
8. Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
9. Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.

Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the community, employees of our school must display the highest degree of ethical conduct. This commitment requires that our employees:

a. Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.

b. Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise qualified, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization.

c. Shall not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.

d. Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which unreasonably interferes with an individual’s performance of professional or work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education or which creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.

e. Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.

Training Requirement

All instructional personnel and administrators are required as a condition of employment to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct.

Reporting Misconduct by Instructional Personnel and Administrators

All employees and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors. Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to:

Cathy Bicksler: 561-906-8624

Email: cathy@providence-education.org

Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to:

Cathy Bicksler: 561-906-8624

Email: cathy@providence-education.org

Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services.

Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect

All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call 1-800-96-ABUSE or report online at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/.

Signs of Physical Abuse

The child may have unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries; broken bones; or burns. A child experiencing physical abuse may seem withdrawn or depressed, seem afraid to go home or may run away, shy away from physical contact, be aggressive, or wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

The child may have torn, stained or bloody underwear, trouble walking or sitting, pain or itching in genital area, or a sexually transmitted disease. A child experiencing sexual abuse may have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively, fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed, gain or lose weight suddenly, shy away from physical contact, or run away from home.

Signs of Neglect

The child may have unattended medical needs, little or no supervision at home, poor hygiene, or appear underweight. A child experiencing neglect may be frequently tired or hungry, steal food, or appear overly needy for adult attention.

Patterns of Abuse

Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.

Liability Protections

Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by law, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S. 39.203)

An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under F.S. Chapter 760. (F.S. 768.095)

Procedures for Reporting Misconduct

Procedures for Reporting the Misconduct of Providence Education Group, LLS Staff which affects the health, safety and welfare of a student:

1. Report the incident immediately to the Providence Education Group Administrator, (561-222-7947) and/or Cathy Bicksler, Director (561-906-8624)

2. The School Administrator or Director will notify the proper authorities.

3. The School Director and/or the School Administrator will notify the parents of the child. Providence Education Group, LLC Staff has:

•  A duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.
• Immunity from any liability when such reports are made in good faith.
•  A duty to comply with the child protective investigations and all provisions of law relating to child abuse and neglect. Failure to report abuse or misconduct: Possible penalties for School Instructional Personnel or Administrators who fail to report misconduct may include: written reprimand, suspension with or without pay, termination of contract, and Discipline/Sanctions on an educator’s certificate.

Providence Education Group is committed each and every student’s success. We have listed below the mission and vision of our school.

 

Mission:  Equipping students to become independent learners and creative thinkers who grow into responsible, productive citizens in a global society.

 

Vision:  To provide a learning environment that supports a personalized educational plan that fosters a love of learning, embraces a balanced life, and values a strong work ethic to successfully launch students into college and career.

 

Media Protection & Internal Policies

 

Securing media hard copy criminal history results from unauthorized access/procedures:

 

1. All hard copy criminal history results will be filed in a fire proof, locked filing cabinet in the Director’s locked closet in a locked file cabinet which is in the locked, restricted   The office is accessed only by authorized personnel. All others are escorted. Only Authorized staff are permitted in the secured office where background checks are stored.
2. Only authorized personnel are permitted to access the hard copy criminal history results.
3. Delivery of all criminal history checks are printed directly from the website and NOT stored electronically. The record is printed and filed in the secure room in the locked file cabinet.
4. All disposal of criminal records will occur by shredding before recycling and it will be witnessed by  Authorized Personnel.
5. Unauthorized requests, receipt, release, interception, dissemination, or discussion of Criminal Justice information could result in criminal prosecution and/or termination of employment.

 

• All staff is prohibited from confidentiality agreements regarding instructional personnel or school administrators who are terminated, dismissed, or resign based on misconduct and prohibit the provision of employment references without disclosing the misconduct.  {In accordance with section 1002.421(1)(n)}