August 8, 2003

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

FROM:

Jo Lynne DeMary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:

Protocol for Local Agreements for Handling Child Abuse or Neglect Reports

The 2003 General Assembly of Virginia amended and reenacted 63.2-1511 of the Code of Virginia to require each local department of social services and school division to adopt a written interagency agreement as a protocol for investigating child abuse and neglect reports involving school personnel. The interagency agreement must be based on recommended procedures for conducting investigations developed by the Departments of Education and Social Services.

The recommended procedures can be found in Superintendents Memo No.27, dated March 1, 2002, Recommended Procedures and Protocol for Local Agreements for Handling Child Abuse or Neglect Reports. /administrators/superintendents_memos/2002/inf027a.pdf

Investigations of allegations that a child has been abused or neglected by a school employee are addressed in section III of the document.

Questions and technical assistance requests may be directed to Ms. Lanett W. Brailey at (mailto:lbrailey@mail.vak12ed.edu) or (804) 786-0308.