A.1.8B Process for Handling Allegations of Child Abuse or Neglect

Child abuse or neglect is defined as a threat to a child’s health or welfare by physical, mental or emotional injury or impairment, sexual abuse or exploitation, deprivation of essential needs, or lack of protection from these.  As part of the Maine 4-H Youth Development program, all staff and enrolled volunteers should act when you know or have reason to suspect that a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected.

Allegations of child abuse or neglect are a very serious matter for all parties concerned.  Clearly, the protection of children is the primary concern for us all.  At the same time, it must be recognized that casual allegations of abuse or neglect can have serious consequences to the person accused.  Maine 4-H volunteers, members, and parents and guardians of members who make allegations of abuse or neglect will be asked to provide their complaint in writing to UMCE and, if appropriate, to make a report to local law enforcement or to the Bureau of Child and Family Services (if the alleged abuse is toward a child of whom the volunteer or staff member is the parent or legal guardian).  If the complainant is not willing to put their complaint in writing, they will be asked to stop making casual complaints or face suspension or dismissal from the program.

Although the consequences to the accused may be serious, erring on the side of the child's safety is paramount.  Doing nothing may cost a child's life.

UMCE staff who are contacted with allegations of child abuse or neglect will refer the individual to this policy.  Generally, anonymous allegations, verbal or written, will not be acted upon.  UMCE staff who are contacted with questions about an ongoing investigation of an allegation of child abuse or neglect will refer the caller to the Program Administrator or UMCE’s Operations Administrator. 

Process for handling allegations of child abuse or neglect; if the complaint is against a parent or guardian:

1. A Maine 4-H staff member or volunteer who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected should contact the Program Administrator or Operations Administrator, local authorities (if appropriate), and the Maine Department of Human Services (DHS), Bureau of Child and Family Services (BCFS) at 1‑800‑452‑1999 to make a report.  The BCFS number is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
2. A Maine 4-H volunteer who needs to report child abuse or neglect should also inform their county educator or professional immediately.

Process for handling allegations of child abuse or neglect; if the complaint is against a 4-H volunteer:

1. Upon receiving a formal complaint the Program Administrator and Operations Administrator, in consultation with the Dean and other UM resources, will conduct an investigation of the report.  While the investigation is being conducted it is likely that the volunteer will be asked to step down from their role until the conclusion of the investigation. Refer to Letter Templates A & B.
2. If at the conclusion of the investigation, the volunteer is found to be suitable to provide services, the volunteer will be told of their ability to continue in their role as a Maine 4-H volunteer, and club members and their parents or guardians will be informed of their continuance as well.  Refer to Letter Template C & D.
3. If at the conclusion of the investigation, the volunteer is found not to be suitable to continue in their role, the volunteer will be dismissed, and club members and their parents or guardians will be informed that the volunteer is no longer serving in the role of volunteer.  Refer to Letter Templates E & F.

Note: If an individual who is not a Maine 4-H volunteer contacts a UMCE staff member with a suspicion or allegation of child abuse or neglect, the individual will be referred to the Program Administrator or Operations Administrator and may be instructed to contact the proper authorities as well. 

Note: There are other circumstances, beyond suspected or substantiated reports of child abuse, that would result in the suspension or dismissal of a Maine 4-H volunteer or leader. The letter templates that follow could be used in those circumstances as well. 

 It is also important to note that the letters to parents and club members do not use language such as suspension or dismissal. These terms are disciplinary in nature, and while they may be appropriate to use with the volunteer, these issues are confidential. Therefore we should avoid using these terms verbally or in writing with others. 

For more information on child welfare, and child abuse and neglect, contact:

Maine Department of Human Services
Bureau of Child and Family Services
221 State St, Augusta, ME  04333
207-287-5060, Fax 207-287-5031
TTY 107-287-5048

www.maine.gov/dhs/bcfs/index.htm

 Additional information can be found on many websites, a few of which we have listed here.  Remember that some of the information is specific to the state for which they were written, and may not apply in Maine.  For example, volunteers appear to meet the standard of mandatory reporters in Maine (if they suspect abuse of a child by the parent or legal guardian), but are not mandatory reporters in Ohio.

Recognizing the signs of child abuse and neglect:

Ohio State University – fact sheet – Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect
http://ohioline.osu.edu/4h-fact/0024.html

Missouri 4-H – fact sheet – Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect
http://4h.missouri.edu/volunteer/childabuse.stm

Precautions volunteers can take to deter false accusations of child abuse or neglect:

Pennsylvania State University – 4-H VIP Facts – Protecting Youth Volunteers: Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
http://pa4h.cas.psu.edu/VIPFactSheets-05/Fact Sheet 209A.pdf

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