The Florida Legislature passed new laws in the 2014 Session to protect the safety and welfare of children after a series of articles in the Miami Herald found that the deaths of 479 children were the result of abuse and/or neglect.

All Somerset Academy employees and agents of Academica are required by law to report any suspected case of child abuse, abandonment or neglect, as well as alleged misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student.

It is the responsibility of every staff member to report all cases of suspected abuse to HRS. Any teacher who must contact HRS must inform the administration for the appropriate follow-up. Any case of abuse involving a member of the staff will be reported to the administration and to HRS. Staff members are to report cases to HRS at 1-800-96-ABUSE, document the report in their Anecdotal records and log the phone call in to the Principal.

Such indicators may include but are not limited to:

*Verbal failure to report misconduct may result in penalties up to termination of employment and revocation of an educator’s certificate.