§ 3490.56. County agency investigation of suspected child abuse perpetrated by persons employed or supervised by child care services and residential facilities.
(a) In addition to complying with other applicable sections of the CPSL and this chapter, when investigating a report of suspected child abuse perpetrated by a person who operates, is employed by or acting as a volunteer for a child care service, including a child day care center, a group or family day care home or a residential facility, the county agency, shall, within 24 hours of receipt of the report, verbally notify the following of the content of the report:
(1) The person in charge of the facility or child care service where the alleged child abuse occurred.
(2) The person in charge of the agency which placed the child.
(3) The person in charge of the county agency with custody or supervision of the child.
(4) The regional office of the Department that is responsible to license, register or approve the child care service or facility.
(b) The person in charge of the child care service or facility shall implement a plan of supervision or alternative arrangements to ensure the safety of the child and other children who are in the care of the child care service or facility during the investigation. The plan of supervision or alternative arrangements shall be in writing, approved by the county agency and kept on file by the county agency until the investigation is completed. When the plan is approved by the county agency, the county agency shall immediately send a copy of the approved plan to the appropriate regional licensing director or designee.
(c) The county agency shall inform the persons listed in subsection (a) in writing of the results of the investigation.
(d) The county agency shall develop or revise the family service plan as required by Chapter 3130 (relating to administration of county children and youth social service programs) for the child and perpetrator if the report is founded or indicated and the case has been accepted for service.
(e) If the report is founded or indicated, the county agency shall request a written statement from the person in charge of the child care service or facility regarding the steps planned and taken to ensure the future safety of the subject child and other children in the care of the child care service or facility. The request shall be made within 5-calendar days of when the status determination was made. The person in charge of the child care service or facility shall submit a written response to the county agency within 10-calendar days of the mailing date of the county agency’s letter. If the plan is unacceptable to the county agency, the county agency shall take appropriate action to ensure the safety of the children in the child care service or facility.
(f) If the facility or child care service is operated, registered, licensed or approved by the Department, the county agency shall send a copy of the completed form required by § 3490.67 (relating to written reports to ChildLine)—filed with ChildLine—and a copy of the written statement required by subsection (e) to the regional director or the director’s designee in the region where the founded or indicated child abuse occurred.
Source The provisions of this § 3490.56 adopted December 20, 1985, effective January 1, 1986, 15 Pa.B. 4547; amended July 2, 1999, effective July 3, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 3513. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (211731).
Cross References This section cited in 55 Pa. Code § 3800.15 (relating to child abuse).
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