Report Misconduct by Florida Certified Educators
Policies and procedures require all school employees to immediately report staff misconduct or child abuse
affecting a student's welfare to designated school officials or external hotlines, and to initiate formal investigations
alongside state reporting for terminations.
Types of Misconduct: Includes but are not limited to physical aggression, inappropriate sexual or professional boundaries,
drug or alcohol use, obscene language, and testing violations.
Mandated under state guidelines like Florida Department of Education Reporting Standards.
To report misconduct visit https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/professional-practices/reporting-misconduct-abuse.stml
Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect
All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call 1-800-96-ABUSE or report online at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/.
Signs of Physical Abuse: The child may have unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, or other injuries; broken bones; or burns. A child experiencing physical abuse may seem withdrawn or depressed, seem afraid to go home or may run away, shy away from physical contact, be aggressive, or wear inappropriate clothing to hide injuries.
Signs of Sexual Abuse: The child may have torn, stained or bloody underwear, trouble walking or sitting, pain or itching in genital area, or a sexually transmitted disease. A child experiencing sexual abuse may have unusual knowledge of sex or act seductively, fear a particular person, seem withdrawn or depressed, gain or lose weight suddenly, shy away from physical contact, or run away from home.
Signs of Neglect: The child may have unattended medical needs, little or no supervision at home, poor hygiene, or appear underweight. A child experiencing neglect may be frequently tired or hungry, steal food, or appear overly needy for adult attention.
Patterns of Abuse: Serious abuse usually involves a combination of factors. While a single sign may not be significant, a pattern of physical or behavioral signs is a serious indicator and should be reported.