Staff: Child Abuse and Neglect Form

All staff must sign this form prior to any DHE program.
  • Child abuse laws prohibit the physical, emotional, or sexual abuse of children. In its efforts to protect children from abuse, Colorado's child abuse statutes require certain third parties and professionals with access to children (such as physicians and school employees) to report suspicion or knowledge abuse to the authorities Physical abuse is nonaccidental physical injury (ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death) as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a hand, stick, strap, or other object), burning, or otherwise harming a child, that is inflicted by a parent, caregiver, or other person who has responsibility for the child.1 Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caregiver intended to hurt the child. Physical discipline, such as spanking or paddling, is not considered abuse as long as it is reasonable and causes no bodily injury to the child. Neglect is the failure of a parent, guardian, or other caregiver to provide for a child’s basic needs. Neglect may be: • Physical (e.g., failure to provide necessary food or shelter, or lack of appropriate supervision) • Medical (e.g., failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment)2 • Educational (e.g., failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs) • Emotional (e.g., inattention to a child’s emotional needs, failure to provide psychological care, or permitting the child to use alcohol or other drugs)