8.9 Public School District Liaison And CD/School Collaboration
New statute language requires the superintendent of each school district designate a public school district liaison, who will be considered a member of the multidisciplinary service team. When a report is received by the Division, that involves a child enrolled in school, CD staff will initiate contact with the liaison appointed for the district. Staff will continue to communicate with the school liaison to gain and share information throughout the investigative and/or assessment process. Staff must also provide the school liaison with the status of the report upon completion.
The worker is required to make contact with the reporter upon receipt of all CA/N reports. When the mandated reporter is school personnel, the worker is responsible for making contact with the reporter, as well as the school district liaison. Missouri law, section 210.145 entitles individuals required to report suspected abuse and/or neglect, to information regarding the CA/N report.
It is important to assess the level of family functioning and services needed. CD is required to provide preventive and protective services, based upon the family’s needs, during the investigation/assessment process. Multidisciplinary service teams should be utilized to ensure appropriate quality services are provided in a timely manner.
Multidisciplinary service teams are made up of individuals from other public and private agencies, including but not limited to, local law enforcement, the juvenile office, juvenile court. RSMo 210.145 now specifically includes the school liaison as a member of the multidisciplinary team.
School personnel are valuable resources that can provide important and helpful information to assist our agency as we work with families, and should be utilized as collateral contacts. Communication between staff and the school must be ongoing. School personnel have valuable information regarding daily activities and behaviors of the children CD serve, as well as the household members where the child resides. Continued efforts to build positive relationships between CD and school staff will improve communication and heighten awareness of needs, resulting in enhanced services to Missouri’s families and children.
RSMo 210.145 requires the public school district liaison to develop protocol, in conjunction with the Chief Investigator, to ensure information regarding a report is shared with appropriate school personnel. County offices should contact each school district or private school within the county to develop protocols to ensure all mandates are met. Current confidentiality laws should be reviewed and discussed to assist in identifying what information will be shared to assist in providing timely, quality services to the child and family.