Student Services
Procedure:
DCFS Reporting
Effective Date:
7/1/2025
Revised Date:
NA
Type of Process:
☐ Internal Procedure
☒ District Procedure
Authority
Executive Director of Student Services
Purpose
To establish a consistent and reliable process for child abuse and neglect reporting to the Department of Children and Family Services.
Description
This procedure is designed to maintain consistent reporting procedures for child abuse and neglect.
Steps
DCFS Reporting
Who’s Responsible
1
If you have reasonable cause to believe that a student may be abused or neglected:
Contact DCFS;
Notify the Principal or designee once a call to DCFS is made;
If assistance is needed, please contact your building administrators or the Executive Director of Student Services;
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When to Call DCFS or When to use the Online Reporting system:
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Call 1-800-25-ABUSE:
If you believe the situation is a life-threatening emergency;
If there are signs of abuse or neglect;
If there are any signs of sexual abuse;
If the child is not receiving adequate food, shelter, clothing, or medical care; or
If you are unsure whether to report via the Hotline or Online, call the hotline.
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Online at dcfs.illinois.gov:
If you have a concern about a child’s well-being or safety, but it is not a life-threatening situation.
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If you believe it is unsafe for the student to go home (or remain at home) or the suspected abuse is of a sexual nature, first call law enforcement, then DCFS. For example,
The student indicates they are afraid to go home (do not release the student to go home until interviewed by DCFS or law enforcement);
Immediately contact law enforcement;
Signs of abuse exist (e.g., bruising or other injuries) escort the student to the School Nurse for examination of these signs (for confidentiality purposes, only an Administrator and the Nurse should be present for the evaluation);
There is an indication of sexual abuse;
If the suspected abuse is of a sexual nature, do not interview the student as questioning may interfere with a police investigation and may cause the student to relive the trauma unnecessarily. However, this will be a sensitive time and it is important to reassure students that we will do everything in our power to ensure their safety.
If law enforcement is contacted, notify the Director of District Crisis and Safety and the Executive Director of Student Services.
District Staff/Building Administration
2
When reporting suspected abuse or neglect to DCFS, keep the following in mind:
Who: The child and parent/caregiver’s name, age and address and the name of the alleged perpetrator and that person’s relationship to the child.
What: Type and frequency of alleged abuse/neglect, current or previous injuries to the child and what caused you to become concerned.
When: When the alleged abuse/neglect occurred and when you learned of it.
Where: Where the incident occurred, where the child is now and whether the alleged perpetrator has access to the child.
How: How urgent the need is for intervention and whether there is a likelihood of imminent danger for the child.
District Staff
3
If a student is to be interviewed by a DCFS agent, the Building Principal or designee will check the agent’s credentials and any documentation pertaining to a legal process.
Please note, the reporting staff member cannot be present for the interview by the DCFS Worker.
Building Administration
4
If the DCFS Worker or Law Enforcement does not want parents/guardians to be notified or present during the interview, this request should be observed.
Building Administration
5
Interviews will be conducted in a private setting. The Building Principal or designee will observe the interview.
Please note, the reporting staff member cannot be present for the interview by the DCFS Worker.
Building Administration
7
If circumstances warrant, the student may be removed from school by the DCFS agent pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act, or if the police officer or a DCFS agent assumes temporary protective custody pursuant to the Illinois Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
Law Enforcement may not take a student if they do not have a car seat/booster seat.
Building Administration
8
Following a call to DCFS, please complete the Round Lake Area Schools District #116 Written Confirmation of Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect Report: Mandated Reporters Form.
District Staff