In this discussion you are to go to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, review your state’s child welfare laws—this can be found in the state resources icon on the top ribbon. Here you will find a drop down menu for all the states in the country. Compare your state child abuse laws to another state of your choice. Discuss similarities and differences between the two states if it exists.
Imagine you are working in a 5th grade school and Justin asks to speak with you. He tells you that his father hit him the previous night with a wooden paddle. He reports that he doesn’t have bruises.
Is this reportable according to your state laws? If so, who do you call—please give the phone number. If not, what additional information do you need to make a decision? When you look at the state law of another state, is this situation reportable?
Think about Chapter 6 in your The Transformed School Counselor text, pages 172–173, that we read in Unit 2 when you made your decision. How would you use the ASCA Standards of Ethics for School Counselor help in your decision making? Who else would you consult with on this situation?
