[Counselors] DHS call

Mon Sep 17 12:16:13 CDT 2018

We are required by law to report any type of abuse: physical or mental.  It's not our job to investigate or interview. (If too many people interview the child, it can interfere with legal action later on.) You have to report it! Don't apologize for it! (1. You're following the law. 2. Reports are supposed to be confidential. You don't have to admit to them that you made the report. 3. Don't apologize -What kind of liability could that bring on you?) This happened to me. A girl reported sexual abuse from a step-father. Much later, after DHS intervention, I found out that she had lied about it. The girl never came back to report anything to me, so I didn't have to deal with that occurring again. When I would see her, I just tried to treat her like "normal". I didn't apologize. I did my job. I followed the law.

Yes. I did apologize to the parents, but informed them that it was my duty to report what the student had shared. I cannot determine at that point if it is a lie or truth. That any student that came to me with a plan to harm to self, or others I would be obligated to report.  After that incident, I visited with the student about the importance of truthfulness in my office. That if she wanted help, that I needed full truths only.

I have had that happen more than once.  I still see the students that made the false reports, if they request to see me. I do my best to listen to what they have to say without judgement, but I always emphasize the fact that.,* "You are not going to be in trouble for telling me if someone has hurt you or someone else, as long as you tell the whole truth."*

As for the parents, they may or may not understand, but I do my best to explain that I am REQUIRED BY LAW to report when a child discloses abuse or neglect of any kind to me.  It is not up to me to determine whether or not
the statements are true.  I am not the investigator...merely the MANDATED REPORTER.

It is not our responsibility to judge or investigate the claim. Once the referral has been made I let DHS do their  work. I make no contact with the parent. You don't need to apologize because you were doing your job.

Yes I did.  I discovered later (after the call) that the student was flat out lying.  However, we always have to err on the side of the student, so I felt no remorse on making the call.  I did NOT apologize to the parents.  I
let the matter rest.

Cindy Bryant, NBCT, M.Ed.
Director, Idabel Alternative Academy
Counselor, Idabel Middle School
100 NE Avenue D
Idabel, OK   74745
(580) 286-6558  Phone
(580) 286-8272 FAX

*Some days there won't be a song in your heart.  Sing anyway!*

Sometimes students lie, sometimes they stretch the truth.  You are obligated to report what is reported to you.  You should not feel obligated to apologize to the student and you definitely should not contact the
parent.  DHS referrals are confidential and what may be untrue today may be true tomorrow,

Bob Ehrle, BA, M.Ed
8th Grade Counselor
Sapulpa Junior High School
918-224-6710

I am not sure I have had that exact situation.  However, the student needs just as much help if the story is false.  What would make them tell that story?  What were they trying to gain?  I would probably approach the
parent as the student needs some counseling, and the family probably benefit also. I would not apologize to the parent at all, as you were doing your job!

*Leslie Sexson*
*Bartlesville High School*
*College and Career Counselor*
*918-336-3311 ext. 1001*

From: Counselors [mailto:counselors-bounces at lists.onenet.net] On Behalf Of OSRHEStudent Prep PK-12 Counselor Discussion Board
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2018 8:32 AM
To: counselors at lists.onenet.net
Subject: [Counselors] DHS call

Have any of you ever called DHS with a story a student told you only to find out that the story was false? How did you handle the student after that? Did you apologize to the parents?
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.onenet.net/pipermail/counselors/attachments/20180917/10259b97/attachment.html>