Interactive Scenarios and Tips

The school administrator has designated you, the school nurse, as the person responsible for reporting cases of suspected child abuse brought to your attention during school hours.

A teacher brings a 10-year-old boy to you who says he cannot participate in physical education because his feet hurt. He is limping, but won't let the teacher look at his feet. At your insistence, the boy removes his shoes and socks and reveals three distinct round burns on the soles of his feet. One of the burns is infected. When you ask him how the burns happened, the boy's only comment is that, "My dad said I was bad."

• Call ChildLine
Call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313. Yes. The injury is serious and causing obvious pain and impairment. Although you don't have a complete disclosure or explanation of the circumstances, the boy's statement and the distinct nature of the burns should lead you to suspect abuse. As a mandated reporter of child abuse and the school's designated reporter, you must immediately call ChildLine with any case of suspected abuse. We suggest you do not call the parents, but allow the reporting process to manage your report.
• Make a GPS referral
No. The nature of the child's injuries and his statement lead you to suspect abuse has occurred. Although the county Children and Youth Services could be contacted, your first course of action in this case is to call ChildLine.
• Provide community resource recommendations
No. The nature of the child's injuries and his statement lead you to suspect abuse has occurred. Offering community resource information would not be the appropriate course of action in this case.
• Call the police
No. Although the police may become involved at some point, your first course of action in this case is to call ChildLine.
• Take no action
No. The nature of the child's injuries and his statement lead you to suspect abuse has occurred. As a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse and the school's designated reporter, you are required to take action. Contacting ChildLine is the correct course of action in this case.

As the school principal, school district policy has designated you as the person responsible for reporting all cases of suspected child abuse presented to you during school hours.

The school nurse comes to your office with a 6-year-old girl who has many red dots and small welts on her body. The child explains that there are bugs in her house that bite her, especially at night. The girl appears to be in no pain, and the bites are not infected. The nurse informs you that she had made several previous attempts to address the situation with the girl's mother, who is single and recently lost her job.

• Call ChildLine
Call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313 No. Although the bites are of concern, the nature of the injury does not meet the standards of the law for serious physical injury. Make a GPS referral in this case.
• Make a GPS referral
Yes. The nature of the child's injuries and her statement lead you to suspect that her mother's failure to act could cause potentially serious harm to the child if the situation is allowed to continue. Although you are not mandated to make a GPS referral, you know that the family could receive needed assistance if Children and Youth Services accept this case for services.
• Provide community resource recommendations
No. Although there may be community resources available to address some of the family's concerns, the mother's previous lack of response and the nature of the child's condition suggest that more urgent measures need to be taken. Make a GPS referral in this case.
• Call the police
No. This would not be an appropriate case for police referral/investigation. Make a GPS referral.
• Take no action
No. The nature of the child's injuries and her statement lead you to suspect potential serious harm could come to the child if the situation is allowed to continue. Although you are not mandated to take action because the nature of the injuries does not rise to the level of serious physical abuse, you know resources are available to assist the family and we encourage you to take action.

You are a daycare provider. One of your children tells you about the spanking she received from her mother last night. The girl tells you that her mother got very angry when she “talked-back” to her and this is what usually happens when she is “bad.”

You suspect the child has been maltreated, and following organizational policy, you take her to the administrator. There are no marks on the child and she says she is not in pain.

• Call ChildLine
Call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313 No. Although there is some question about the parent's coping and disciplining skills, corporal punishment is legal and the nature of the injury does not meet the standards of the law for serious physical injury. Recommend appropriate community resources.
• Make a GPS referral
No. Although there is some question about the parent's coping and disciplining skills, the nature of the incident does not warrant Children and Youth Services intervention at this time. Recommend appropriate community resources.
• Provide community resource recommendations
Yes. Community resources may be available to the family to assist with some anger management and parenting skills development.
• Call the police
No. This would not be an appropriate case for police referral/investigation. Make appropriate community resource recommendations
• Take no action
No. Although you are not mandated to take action because the nature of the injuries do not rise to the level of serious physical abuse, you know resources might available to assist the family and are encouraged to take action.

The administrator has designated you, the school nurse, as the person responsible for reporting cases of suspected child abuse brought to your attention during school hours.

A 12 year-old boy comes to your office asking for aspirin. He is wearing an oversized sweater on an unusually warm day. He reluctantly explains that his teammate's father “was angry with him for losing the game, grabbed him by the arm, and threw him into a fence.”

When the boy's sweater is removed you find several cuts and scrapes, and it appears that his shoulder may have been dislocated.

• Call ChildLine
Call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313 Yes. The injury is serious and causing obvious pain and impairment. Even though the person who caused the harm is not a perpetrator under the Child Protective Services Law, you are a mandated to report this.
• Make a GPS referral
No. There has been a serious injury, which is causing obvious pain and impairment. Also, this case does not have a perpetrator as defined under the CPSL. Although you are not mandated by the CSPL to make reports to law enforcement, this would be an appropriate case to report to the police. We also recommend that you contact the parents and initiate medical attention, if necessary.
• Provide community resource recommendations
No. Offering community resources would not be the appropriate course of action. Although you are not mandated by the CSPL to make reports to law enforcement, this would be an appropriate case to report to the police. We also recommend that you contact the parents and initiate medical attention, if necessary.
• Call the police
Yes, There has been a serious injury, which is causing obvious pain and impairment. An adult other than those defined by CPSL has caused the injury, but you would still be obligated to call ChildLine.
• Take no action
No. The nature of the child's injuries and his statement suggest action is required in this case. Although you are not mandated by the CSPL to make reports to law enforcement, this would be an appropriate case to report to the police. We also recommend that you contact the parents and initiate medical attention, if necessary.

You are a program director. A child in your program comes to you complaining about a toothache. You call the mother, who agrees to take the child to a dentist. Several weeks later the child again comes to your office, and this time the tooth is obviously abscessed.

You again call the mother who says she could not get a dental appointment. You make an appointment for the next day with a dentist that works with your program and let the mother know when she can take her child for treatment.

Three days later the child still has not received treatment, and now is presenting with a fever and severe swelling.

• Call ChildLine
Call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313 Yes. Despite your best efforts, this child is suffering significant pain and health effects due to her parent's failure to get medical attention. You have reason to suspect serious physical neglect. As a mandated reporter of child abuse, you must immediately call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313.
• Make a GPS referral
No. The child is currently suffering due to the neglect of the parent. Although the county Children and Youth Services agency could be contacted, your first course of action in this case would be to make a report to ChildLine at (800) 932-0313.
• Provide community resource recommendations
No. Your attempts to provide help through community resources (such as the dentist) have not met with success. The appropriate course of action would be to make a report to ChildLine at (800) 932-0313.
• Call the police
No. This would not be an appropriate case for a police referral or investigation. Your first course of action should be to make a report to ChildLine at (800) 932-0313.
• Take no action
No. The child is currently suffering and greater health consequences are anticipated if no action is taken. As a mandated reporter of child abuse, action is required. Call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313

You are a grade school teacher. An 8-year old girl in your class tells you about how she has been “the mommy” to her little 2-year-old brother each night while her father (who is a single parent) is at work. You ask her if she has a babysitter to help her, and she says, "No."

No harm has come to the children. You contact the father at work, and he tells you to “mind your own business.”

• Call ChildLine
Call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313 No. Although there is reason to be concerned about the welfare of the children, there has been no specific harm incurred due to the acts, or failure to act, of the father. A call to ChildLine would be referred to local Children and Youth Services for GPS investigation. The best course of action is to contact the Children and Youth Services agency in the county of residence and make a GPS referral.
• Make a GPS referral
Yes. Although there has been no specific harm to the children, you have reason to suspect potential for harm if the situation is allowed to continue. You are not mandated to make a GPS referral, but are encouraged to contact the county Child Protective Services agency.
• Provide community resource recommendations
No. Although there may be community resources available to address some of the family's concerns, the immediate potential for harm to the children requires you to take more urgent measures. Contact the Children and Youth Services agency in the county of residence and make a GPS referral.
• Call the police
No. Although the police would respond and could take temporary custody of the children if they were alone, this would not be your first course of the action. Contact the Children and Youth Services agency in the county of residence and make a GPS referral.
• Take no action
No. A potential for harm to the children exists. Although you are not mandated to make a report, we encourage you to take action in this case. Contact the Children and Youth Services agency in the county of residence and make a GPS referral.

You are seriously concerned about two children, ages 5 and 7, who live next to you.

The children's clothes are usually dirty and torn. Often, the children only get one full meal a day and that is usually fast food. They otherwise fill up on potato chips, pretzels, and candy, which you know is not a healthy diet for growing children. As a registered nurse, you know you are a mandated reporter of child abuse.

• Call ChildLine
Call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313 No. Although the children's living conditions may not be ideal, no harm has come to them as a result of their parents' acts, or failure to act. Additionally, you are only mandated to report abuse when a child comes before you in your professional capacity. Take no action at this time.
• Make a GPS referral
No. There is no certain potential for harm that meets the standard of the CPSL, and the circumstances do not warrant general protective services intervention. Take no action at this time.
• Provide community resource recommendations
No. Although community resources may be available to the family to assist with parenting skills development, we do not recommend that you intervene or make a GPS referral. Take no action at this time.
• Call the police
No. This would not be an appropriate case for police referral or investigation. Take no action at this time.
• Take no action
Yes. Although the children's living conditions may not be ideal, the circumstances do not warrant action at this time.

• Call ChildLine
Yes. Suspicion of sexual abuse by an individual 14 years of age or older who resides in the same home as the child and who is responsible for the welfare of the child should be immediately reported to ChildLine at (800 932-0313. According to school policy you would cause a report to be made by taking the child to the school nurse, who would immediately make the call. Your duties as a mandated reporter are discharged when the nurse accepts your report.
• Make a GPS referral
No. The nature of the child's disclosure would lead you to suspect sexual abuse has occurred by a perpetrator as defined by the CPSL. Although the county Children and Youth Services could be contacted, your first course of action in this case would cause a report to be made by taking the child to the school nurse. The nurse would immediately call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313. Your duties as a mandated reporter are discharged when the nurse accepts your report.
• Provide community resource recommendations
No. Although a community-sponsored support group may be of future value to the child and her family, the nature of the child's disclosure would lead you to suspect sexual abuse has occurred by a perpetrator as defined by the CPSL. Your first course of action in this case would cause a report to be made by taking the child to the school nurse. The nurse would immediately call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313. Your duties as a mandated reporter are discharged when the nurse accepts your report.
• Call the police
No. Children and Youth Services will contact the police. Since the nature of the child's disclosure would lead you to suspect sexual abuse has occurred by a perpetrator as defined by the CPSL, your first course of action in this case would cause a report to be made by taking the child to the school nurse. The nurse would immediately call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313. Your duties as a mandated reporter are discharged when the nurse accepts your report.
• Take no action
No. The nature of the child's disclosure leads you to suspect sexual abuse has occurred. Although not mandated by the CPSL, you can report suspected sexual abuse of a child by a person not defined as a perpetrator by the CPSL to the police.

• Call ChildLine
Call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313 Yes. The CPSL now requires mandated reporters to call ChildLine even if the suspected abuser falls outside the CPSL's definition of a perpetrator. Suspected sexual abuse of a child by a person not defined as a perpetrator by the CPSL can also be reported to the police.
• Make a GPS referral
No. Although the nature of the child's disclosure would lead you to suspect sexual abuse has occurred, the perpetrator is not one of those stipulated by the CPSL. Suspected sexual abuse of a child by a person not defined as a perpetrator by the CPSL can be reported to the police. Protection of the child then becomes the responsibility of the parents.
• Provide community resource recommendations
No. Although a community-sponsored support group may be of future value to the child and family, you can report suspected sexual abuse of a child by a person not defined as a perpetrator by the CPSL to the police.
• Call the police
Yes. You can report suspected sexual abuse of a child by a person not defined as a perpetrator by the CPSL to the police. Protection of the child then becomes the responsibility of the parents.
• Take no action
No. The nature of the child's disclosure leads you to suspect sexual abuse has occurred. Although not mandated by the CPSL, you can report suspected sexual abuse of a child by a person not defined as a perpetrator by the CPSL to the police.

You are the art teacher, and one of your seventh-grade students is a gifted artist you have befriended. Over the last several months you have noticed his work becoming very dark in nature, which is matched by his increasingly sullen and withdrawn behavior.

One day, while reaching for art supplies, his sleeves pull up to reveal cut marks on his arms. When confronted, he admits he cut himself intentionally. He explains that he is “evil” and that bad things happen to anyone with whom he associates; that is what his mother has told him.

A call to his mother confirms that she feels the boy is “evil.” Your concerns that he may be suicidal are met with the statement, “…well, maybe that would be for the best.”

• Call ChildLine
Call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313 Yes. Both the student's and mother's statements and actions lead you to suspect serious mental abuse, which is causing a psychological condition that could be diagnosed by a physician or psychologist. As a mandated reporter of child abuse, and in accordance with school policy, you should immediately cause a report of suspected child abuse to be made to ChildLine. Report your suspicion to your administrator or the designee. Your local crisis intervention hotline could also be called, if you suspect a suicide attempt is imminent.
• Make a GPS referral
No. The nature of the student's actions and statements lead you to believe this child has been abused. Although the county Children and Youth Services agency could be contacted, your first course of action as a mandated reporter of child abuse is to immediately cause a report of suspected child abuse to be made to ChildLine. Report your suspicion to your administrator or the designee. Your local crisis intervention hotline could also be called, if you suspect a suicide attempt is imminent.
• Provide community resource recommendations
No. Although a community-sponsored support group may be of future value to the child, your first course of action as a mandated reporter of child abuse is to immediately cause a report of suspected child abuse to be made to ChildLine. Report your suspicion to your administrator or the designee. Your local crisis intervention hotline could also be called, if you suspect a suicide attempt is imminent.
• Call the police
No. This would not be an appropriate case for police referral/investigation. As a mandated reporter of child abuse, and in accordance with school policy, you should immediately cause a report of suspected child abuse to be made to ChildLine. Report your suspicion to your administrator or the designee. Your local crisis intervention hotline could also be called, if you suspect a suicide attempt is imminent.
• Take no action
No. The nature of the child's disclosure leads you to suspect abuse has occurred, and the child is at risk for additional harm. As a mandated reporter of child abuse, and in accordance with school policy, you should immediately cause a report of suspected child abuse to be made to ChildLine. Report your suspicion to your administrator or the designee. Your local crisis intervention hotline could also be called, if you suspect a suicide attempt is imminent.

You are a school bus driver. While taking students to school you overhear a 16-year-old girl telling a classmate about an incident the previous evening with her father. She says her father was drinking and got so angry with her that he grabbed his hunting rifle and shot at the girl.

She brags about her ability to “duck the shot,” and run. You let the girl know you heard her, and ask if the story is actually true. She becomes a little more somber and says, “Yes.”

• Call ChildLine
Call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313 Yes. The most recent added category of abuse to the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law is Imminent Risk, or threatened harm. You have reason to suspect that had the girl not “ducked,” she would have been seriously injured. She may not be so lucky next time. As a mandated reporter of child abuse, and in accordance with organizational policy, you must immediately cause a report of suspected child abuse to be made to ChildLine. Report your suspicion to your administrator or the designee.
• Make a GPS referral
No. Although the girl was not injured, the actions of the father put the girl in immediate risk of serious physical injury. Although the county Children and Youth Services could be contacted, your first course of action in this case is to immediately cause a report of suspected child abuse to be made to ChildLine.
• Provide community resource recommendations
No. Your first course of action in this case is to immediately cause a report of suspected child abuse to be made to ChildLine.
• Call the police
No. Although law enforcement is likely to become involved in this case, your first course of action should be to immediately cause a report of suspected child abuse to be made to ChildLine.
• Take no action
No. The nature of the child's disclosure leads you to suspect abuse has occurred, and the child is at risk for additional harm. As a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse, immediately cause a report of suspected child abuse to be made to ChildLine.

You are a high school teacher. While coming to work one day you notice one of your 15-year-old students getting out of another teacher's car about one block from the school.

When you mention it to the student, he gets a little flustered and struggles to find an appropriate answer. After a few moments, he says that he is in love with the teacher.

You suspect the student and teacher are having an intimate relationship.

• Call ChildLine
Call ChildLine at (800) 932-0313 No. This case does not meet the CPSL's definition of child abuse. It is a case of student abuse. You are mandated to cause a report of suspected student abuse to be made. In accordance with the law, you should report your suspicions to your school administrator who must immediately make a report of student abuse to law enforcement officials and the district attorney.
• Make a GPS referral
No. The circumstances lead you to suspect another school employee has sexually abused a student. County Children and Youth Services will be contacted, but your first course of action is to cause a report of suspected student abused to be made. Report your suspicions to your school administrator who must immediately make a report of student abuse to law enforcement officials and the district attorney.
• Provide community resource recommendations
No. Your first course of action is to cause a report of suspected student abused to be made. Report your suspicions to your school administrator who must immediately make a report of student abuse to law enforcement officials and the district attorney.
• Call the police
Yes. You have reason to suspect another school employee is sexually abusing a student. You are mandated to cause a report of suspected student abuse to be made. In accordance with the law, you should report your suspicions to your school administrator, who must immediately make a report of student abuse to law enforcement officials and the district attorney.
• Take no action
No. The nature of the child's disclosure leads you to suspect student abuse has occurred, and you are mandated to cause a report to be made. In accordance with the law, you should report your suspicions to your school administrator, who must immediately make a report of student abuse to law enforcement officials and the district attorney.