Employee Ethics Policy and Procedures
Immediately report known or suspected child abuse or neglect to the Florida Department of Children and Families Toll-Free Hotline (1-800-96-ABUSE).
In accordance with section 39.201, Florida Statutes, any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver or other person responsible for the child’s welfare, or that a child is in need of supervision and care and has no parent, legal custodian, or responsible adult relative immediately known and available to provide supervision and care shall report such knowledge or suspicion to the Department of Children and Families Central Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE as well as inform the Head of School, Nicholas Rodriguez at (813) 961-3087.
Instructional personnel and school administrators may report such information to DCF in unison, but reporting to another school employee does not fulfill the legal obligation to report to DCF.
A person who is required by statute to report known or suspected abuse or neglect and fails to do so, is subject to disciplinary action by the employer, by the State Department of Education and/or through criminal prosecution.
In accordance with section 39.203, Florida Statutes, any person who reports in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the DCF or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action.
Any instructional personnel or school administrator must report alleged misconduct that affects the health, safety or welfare of a student by instructional personnel or school administrator to the Head of School, Nicholas Rodriguez, at (813) 961-3087.
Signs about Reporting Child Abuse and Educator Misconduct are posted in elementary and middle school offices, Dean Dining Hall and the Pavilion.