Responsibility of School Personnel for the Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse 

Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting - Policy 4-204

• Arizona Revised Statutes §13-3620 mandates that school personnel who reasonably believe that a minor is or has been the victim of child abuse or neglect will immediately report to the Department of Child Safety or to the appropriate law enforcement agency.  The term “school personnel” has a broad interpretation, which includes, but is not limited to, administrators, teachers, nurses, counselors, school psychologists, social workers, instructional assistants, secretaries, custodians, bus drivers, and food service employees.  
• Any certificated person who suspects or receives a reasonable allegation that a person certificated by the Department of Education has engaged in conduct involving minors that would be subject to the reporting requirements shall report to the Department of Education in writing within three business days after the person first suspects or receives an allegation of the conduct.  Any person who is employed as the immediate supervisor is not required to report if they reasonably believe the report has been made by the mandated reporter.

Who should make the report?

• The person that disclosure was made to by a student should be the person to contact DCS and/or law enforcement. The adult should only ask who, what, when, where.  Let the student do the speaking, and repeat only the language he/she provides to you.  Document verbatim your questions and child’s statements.  Reassure the child that he/she has done the right thing and tell them you are required by law to report. 
• All emergencies where a child faces an immediate risk of abuse or neglect must be made immediately by calling 911 or 1-888-767-2445.
• For non-emergency reports, you may now electronically submit your report online at  https://dcs.az.gov/services/suspect-abuse-report-it-now. 
• Once the report has been made to DCS, you must submit a written notification to your principal or supervisor by the next workday. 
• No one else should question or examine the student. 
• Do not contact parents or provide information to parents.
• When receiving third party reports, encourage the party to report the information.  However, statute mandates that you report information received from a third-party source.  Do not interview the child.

Who do I report to?

• If the suspected abuse is believed to have occurred within the family unit, the report should be made to DCS, using the state hotline number 1-888-767-2445 or online at https://dcs.az.gov/services/suspect-abuse-report-it-now.
• If the allegation of suspected abuse is directed at a person who does not have guardianship, custody, or control of the child, the report should be made to law enforcement only.  Examples include babysitter, neighbor, etc.
• In the case of visible injury and imminent threat to the safety of a child, contact local law enforcement or 911.  Follow up with a call to DCS to file a report also (see above).
• If photos are needed, law enforcement must take those photos.  DCS does not take photos as they would not be admissible in a legal proceeding.
• A written report is no longer required to be submitted to DCS as a follow-up to the phone or online reports.  Copies of emails received following an online report will need to be given to the principal.  If you are reporting by phone, you will need to get the confirmation number and the name of the individual who took the report.

Additional Information

• DCS does not share the name of the source unless revealing it would assist law enforcement in child’s safety. 
• DCS is required to report to parents that their child was interviewed within six hours.
• DCS and/or law enforcement will often come to school to investigate.  When DCS comes to school, they must have their badge and present it to you prior to talking to a child.  If DCS removes a child from school, they will present a "Notice of Removal."

Mandated Reporting User Guide and Reporting Options 

• Online Mandated Reporting Website User Guide: https://extranet.azdes.gov/DCYF/CHILDS/communication/DES/UserGuideOnlineReporting.pdf
• Child Abuse Online Reporting: https://dcs.az.gov/report-child-abuse
• Child Abuse by Phone: 1-888-SOS-CHILD

Navajo CPS & Tribal Police Information 

Dilkon CPS

Phone Number: (928) 657-8030     

Fax Number: (928) 657-8098

• CPS for Dilkon district handles Birdsprings, Leupp and Tolani Lake areas.  
• A written document is required describing the incident.  Required information needs to include the following: Child's name, date of birth, grade, address (If available), parent name, parent phone number, date of incident and description of incident.

Tuba City CPS

Phone Number: (928) 283-3266   

Tuba City CPS Fax Number: (928) 283-3267

• CPS for Tuba City handles Cameron.  
• A written document is required describing the incident.  Required information needs to include the following: Child's name, date of birth, grade, address (If available), parent name, parent phone number, date of incident and description of incident.

Tribal Police

Phone Number: (928) 283-3111 or (928) 283-3112

• If you need Tribal Police assistance, Tuba City District handles Birdsprings to Cameron.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THESE PROCEDURES, PLEASE CALL THE STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT (928) 527-6140 OR (928) 527-6178