BAKERSFIELD,CA- According to the Kern County Network for Children, in 2012, more than 4,000 children were abused or neglected in Kern County. On average, there are 50 referrals of suspected abuse.
"Out of that 50, last year on average there were 11 substantiated abuse cases. A lot of those referrals come from our schools," said Tom Corson, executive director of Kern County Network for Children.
State assembly members are trying to strengthen mandated reporting laws by requiring school employees to be trained to identify child abuse and neglect. Current law doesn't require school staff to receive training but they must report it.
"If you are a mandated reporter by law and you do not report you can be jailed as well as fined," said Corson.
Officials with child protective services say they receive about 2,000 referrals a month. Last year at least 64% were reports from mandated reporters. But for every report, CPS officials say an estimated two incidents go unreported.
"A refresher training is always good to just, you know, to keep you aware of the different signs of abuse or neglect," said Monique Hawkins, program director of emergency response.
Each district has their own policy but in the Bakersfield City School District, managers are required to review mandated reporting laws annually.
"They are also trained on the procedures for contacting child protective services and filing a report," said Dr. Tim Fulenwider, director of instructional support services.
Human services officials say child abuse reporting should not be limited to just mandated reporters.
"All members of the community, neighbors, family, friends, if they suspect a child is at risk of being abused or neglect to give us a call," said Hawkins.
The next mandated reporting training class is Thursday, April 10 at 8:30 a.m. at the Larry E. Reider Education Center on K Street.
"Out of that 50, last year on average there were 11 substantiated abuse cases. A lot of those referrals come from our schools," said Tom Corson, executive director of Kern County Network for Children.
State assembly members are trying to strengthen mandated reporting laws by requiring school employees to be trained to identify child abuse and neglect. Current law doesn't require school staff to receive training but they must report it.
"If you are a mandated reporter by law and you do not report you can be jailed as well as fined," said Corson.
Officials with child protective services say they receive about 2,000 referrals a month. Last year at least 64% were reports from mandated reporters. But for every report, CPS officials say an estimated two incidents go unreported.
"A refresher training is always good to just, you know, to keep you aware of the different signs of abuse or neglect," said Monique Hawkins, program director of emergency response.
Each district has their own policy but in the Bakersfield City School District, managers are required to review mandated reporting laws annually.
"They are also trained on the procedures for contacting child protective services and filing a report," said Dr. Tim Fulenwider, director of instructional support services.
Human services officials say child abuse reporting should not be limited to just mandated reporters.
"All members of the community, neighbors, family, friends, if they suspect a child is at risk of being abused or neglect to give us a call," said Hawkins.
The next mandated reporting training class is Thursday, April 10 at 8:30 a.m. at the Larry E. Reider Education Center on K Street.