Parents, Teachers, Professionals & Citizens,

If you suspect or have witnessed child abuse or neglect, contact your local DSS immediately. It is the law (N.C.G.S 7B-301). Do not hesitate to report, our children need you to look out for their well being. 

Caldwell County Department of Social Services
2345 Morganton Boulevard, S. W., Suite A
Lenoir, NC 28645
Phone: (828) 426-8200
Fax: (828) 426-8398

Caldwell County DSS- Website

NC DSS 

More Information on Child Abuse and Neglect

CHILD ABUSE - REPORTS AND INVESTIGATIONS

Policy Code: 4240/7312

The Caldwell County Board of Education supports all employees who in good faith make a report of suspected child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment. Any school employee who knows or has cause to suspect child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment is legally required to report the case of the child to the director of social services. The employee also shall immediately report the case to the supervisor. Any doubt about reporting a suspected situation shall be resolved in favor of reporting, and the report shall be made immediately. A school employee is immune by statute from any civil and/or criminal liability when reporting in good faith suspected child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment. Failure on the part of any school employee to report may result in disciplinary action being brought against the employee by the school system or civil action under the law. The principal may establish a contact person in the school to act as a liaison with social services. All employees shall cooperate fully with the department of social services in its investigation of suspected child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment. Employees shall permit the child to be interviewed by social services on school campuses during school hours and shall provide social services with confidential information, so long as the disclosure does not violate state or federal law. Any confidential information disclosed by the department of social services to employees will remain confidential and will only be redisclosed for purposes directly connected with carrying out the responsibilities of the school system or the employee. Upon request and to the extent permitted by law, school system officials shall share with other agencies designated in G.S. 7B-3100(a) information that is relevant to (1) any assessment of a report of child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment by the department of social services; (2) the provision or arrangement of protective services in a child abuse, neglect, or dependency case by the department of social services; or (3) any case in which a petition is filed alleging that a juvenile is abused, neglected, dependent, undisciplined, or delinquent. School system officials and the designated agencies shall continue to share such information until the protective services case is closed by the department of social services or, if a petition is filed, until the juvenile is no longer subject to the jurisdiction of juvenile court. The Superintendent shall develop any necessary procedures for reporting suspected child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment; for sharing information with designated agencies; and for cooperating with investigations by the department of social services. School officials shall annually provide staff development opportunities related to identifying and reporting child abuse, neglect, dependency, or death as a result of maltreatment. Legal References: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232g; G.S. 7B-101, - 301, -302, -309, -3100; 8-53.4; 14-318.2; 115C-400, -402 Policy Code: 4240/7312 CALDWELL COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY MANUAL Page 2 of 2 Cross References: Professional and Staff Development (policy 1610/7800), Student Records (policy 4700) Adopted: October 8, 2012