D. Basic Procedure for Police Investigation of Children with Disabilities Establish rapport and respectful communication with the victim. Presume victim competence to participate in an interview and the criminal justice process. When possible, the officer will want to gather some initial information before interviewing the person: -Determine if the victim has any kind of disability. -Find out how this disability affect the interview process may -Determine if the victim uses any adaptive equipment, such as a hearing aid, crutches or a wheelchair? -Determine if the victim has any attention difficulties. -Determine how the victim best communicates their wants and needs. -Determine what makes it easiest for the victim to understand what others communicate. -Assure the setting for the interview is accessible to the victim. -Create a safe and non-judgmental environment -Do not ask for a lot of details, do not rephrase questions as it can cause confusion -Do not touch the victim as this could cause a fight or flight response in children with certain disabilities -Arrange for forensic interview at the Child Advocacy Center E.Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) DECAL works closely with Law Enforcement and DFCS during child abuse and neglect investigations in a child care program. If a child is harmed in a licensed or unlicensed child care program including child care learning centers, and family child care learning homes DECAL 404.657.5562 or 404.656.5957. contact at Child Care Services are governed by substantial rules and regulations which Georgia law authorizes DECAL to enforce. There are three types of licensed child care programs which include child care learning centers, group day care homes, and family day care homes. The Child Care Services division of Bright from the Start monitors and licenses these child care programs as well as Investigates complaints of child care programs, licensing violations and reports of unlicensed child care operations. Some of the most common licensing complaints are: -Lack of adequate supervision -Insufficient nurturing and care -Unsafe facility environment -Inappropriate discipline -Lack of proper sanitation (and other health concerns) Investigations into serious injuries or death of children enrolled in a child care program: DECAL begins its investigation into all allegations of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, serious injuries, and child deaths within 24 hours of receiving the allegations. If DECAL is aware that law enforcement, DFCS or another state agency is also conducting investigations into the same allegations, DECAL will coordinate with those agencies so as to not interfere with the other agencies' investigations. If law
D. Basic Procedure for Police Investigation of Children with Disabilities Establish rapport and respectful communication with the victim. Presume victim competence to participate in an interview and the criminal justice process. When possible, the officer will want to gather some initial information before interviewing the person: -Determine if the victim has any kind of disability. -Find out how this disability may affect the interview process -Determine if the victim uses any adaptive equipment, such as a hearing aid, crutches or a wheelchair? -Determine if the victim has any attention difficulties. -Determine how the victim best communicates their wants and needs. -Determine what makes it easiest for the victim to understand what others communicate. -Assure the setting for the interview is accessible to the victim. -Create a safe and non-judgmental environment -Do not ask for a lot of details, do not rephrase questions as it can cause confusion -Do not touch the victim as this could cause a fight or flight response in children with certain disabilities -Arrange for forensic interview at the Child Advocacy Center E.Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) DECAL works closely with Law Enforcement and DFCS during child abuse and neglect investigations in a child care program. If a child is harmed in a licensed or unlicensed child care program including child care learning centers, and family child care learning homes contact DECAL at 404.657.5562 or 404.656.5957. Child Care Services are governed by substantial rules and regulations which Georgia law authorizes DECAL to enforce. There are three types of licensed child care programs which include child care learning centers, group day care homes, and family day care homes. The Child Care Services division of Bright from the Start monitors and licenses these child care programs as well as Investigates complaints of child care programs, licensing violations and reports of unlicensed child care operations. Some of the most common licensing complaints are: -Lack of adequate supervision -Insufficient nurturing and care -Unsafe facility environment -Inappropriate discipline -Lack of proper sanitation (and other health concerns) Investigations into serious injuries or death of children enrolled in a child care program: DECAL begins its investigation into all allegations of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, serious injuries, and child deaths within 24 hours of receiving the allegations. If DECAL is aware that law enforcement, DFCS or another state agency is also conducting investigations into the same allegations, DECAL will coordinate with those agencies so as to not interfere with the other agencies' investigations. If law
2016%20Statewide%20Model%20Protocol%20Revised..docx