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Child Abuse Prevention Overview

Important Announcement (1)

New Child Abuse Reporting Timeline Effective Immediately

As a result of Senate Bill 571, passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, there has been a critical amendment to Texas Family Code ¡ì261.101(b). This change directly impacts the timeline for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. 

? What¡¯s Changed? The required timeframe to report suspected child abuse has been reduced from 48 hours to 24 hours after first suspecting that a child has been abused or neglected.

? Who Does This Affect? This change applies to all professionals who are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect, including educators and nurses. 

This information is an important update regarding the timeline for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect in Texas. Due to the passage of Senate Bill 571 during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, there has been a significant amendment to the Texas Family Code ¡ì261.101(b). The key change is that the timeframe for reporting suspected child abuse has been shortened from 48 hours to 24 hours. This means that professionals who are legally obligated to report such suspicions, including educators and nurses, must now do so within 24 hours of first suspecting abuse or neglect. This update is crucial for ensuring timely intervention and protection for children who may be at risk.

As mandated reporters, educators and other school staff must remain informed on the topic of child abuse. School personnel represent the largest professional resource for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect in Texas. Education leaders can promote awareness of Texas laws and the safety of Texas students by developing effective reporting policies, programs, and employee training.

 covers child abuse reporting and programs. It specifies that:

  • The agency must maintain on its website a list of links to sites that provide information regarding the prevention of child abuse and develop and periodically update a training program on prevention of child abuse that a school district may use for staff development.
  • Each school district shall provide child abuse anti-victimization programs in elementary and secondary schools.

requires school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to:

  • Adopt and implement a policy addressing sexual abuse and other maltreatment of children and include that policy in the district improvement plan and any informational handbook provided to students and parents. To see model policies visit  webpage for more information.
  • Participate in a training on prevention techniques and recognition of sexual abuse and other forms of child maltreatment. Each school district and open-enrollment charter school must also maintain records that include the name of each district or charter school staff member who participates in the training. This training must include:
    • factors indicating a child is at risk for sexual abuse or other maltreatment
    • likely warning signs indicating a child may be a victim of sexual abuse or other maltreatment
    • internal procedures for seeking assistance for a child who is at risk for sexual abuse or other maltreatment, including referral to a school counselor, a social worker, or another mental health professional
    • techniques for reducing a child's risk of sexual abuse or other maltreatment
    • community organizations that have relevant existing research-based programs that are able to provide training or other education for school district or open-enrollment charter school staff members, students, and parents
  • Maintain records that include the name of each district or charter school staff member who participated in the training.

 requires all school campuses to post in at least one high-traffic area, in both English and Spanish, a poster, at student eye-level, with information that includes the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Abuse hotline telephone number, instructions to call 911 and directions to the .

7mÊÓƵ Student Reporting Posters

7mÊÓƵ No Go Tell Poster- English

7mÊÓƵ No Go Tell Poster- Spanish 

 

Child Abuse and Neglect Resources for Texas Schools

The following links provide information on child abuse reporting requirements, training opportunities, awareness and prevention campaigns, and policy resources.

Reporting

Detailed information on the responsibilities and the process for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect is accessible on the (DFPS) website. Resources include tools and information specifically designed for school personnel.

Training Opportunities

  • The provides school staff with the knowledge and tools needed to recognize, report, and prevent abuse and misconduct involving students. Through interactive modules and real-world scenarios, you will gain a clear understanding of your legal and ethical responsibilities in maintaining safe and supportive learning environments.

  • Children's Advocacy Centers are non-profits that serve as the first stop for children who have experienced sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, or witnessed a violent crime. CAC's are available to support Texas schools with implementation of required trainings. Local centers can provide more information on training opportunities and child abuse reporting information that may be available within your community. You can search for the local center that serves your school on the CAC website.

  • Darkness to Light is a non-profit dedicated to educating adults about the steps they can take to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse.  is a training available to all Texas school district and open-enrollment charter school employees. It is approved by 7mÊÓƵ for CPE credits. A certificate of completion is available after finishing the training. The training offers ease of use for districts through online and facilitator-led training options, along with the ability to track, monitor, and maintain records of training participants.

  • DFPS provides online training that includes video tutorials on mandatory reporting in the school setting. This web-based training tool and video module can be used to train school staff on how to make and file a report. A certificate of completion is available at the conclusion of the course. DFPS has throughout Texas. Please contact the DFPS Regional  in your region for more information on child abuse training for school staff.

  • Crime Stoppers of Houston offers a statewide multimedia presentation for school staff regarding Child Abuse Prevention: Recognizing and Reporting. To find out more visit the .

Increasing Awareness and Prevention

  • Tools, curricula, and programs designed to raise awareness and reduce risk factors related to child abuse from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

  • A resource packet for child abuse prevention campaigns.

Policy Resources

  • The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Policy Service Model Student Handbook has information and resources on child abuse and maltreatment. TASB Policy Service includes child abuse and neglect reporting policies at TASB policy code FFG.

  • Investigation of Report of Child Abuse and Neglect

  • Relating to Child Abuse Reporting and Training

  • Relating to Child Abuse Reporting and Training

  • Texas Administrative Code ¡ì103.1401

    Reporting on Child Abuse and Neglect