Fight Against Child Abuse in Kane County, IL, Doesn't End in April

Fight Against Child Abuse in Kane County, IL, Doesn’t End in April

  • This is the first of a series of articles on action Kane County residents can take to prevent, report and diminish child abuse in Kane County, as part of a shared initiative among  CASA Kane County, the Kane County States Attorney’s Office, the Kane County Regional Office of Education, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. 

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During the month of April, CASA Kane County distributed information packets to Illinois State Mandated Reporters in an effort to educate the community on what to do if child abuse or neglect is suspected.

Anyone who did not receive a mandated packet of information is asked to download it and share the information with your place of work. The packet can be found on this page of the CASA Kane County website.

“The protection of children is the responsibility of the entire community, and this information serves as guidelines in this capacity,” CASA Kane County said in a recent press release.

This initiative began with the collaboration among CASA Kane County, the Kane County States Attorney’s Office, the Kane County Regional Office of Education, and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

“We are all in agreement that it is of utmost importance to be proactive in our prevention of abuse instead of being reactive only after the abuse or neglect occurs,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said. “Our collaboration with local agencies and the court system ensures that the best interests and safety of every child who enters into the civil and criminal courts is protected.”

Every Kane County citizen can do his/her part by calling 1-800-25-ABUSE to make a report, the press release said.

Professionals Responsible for Mandated Reporting

In some U.S. states, mandatory reporting requirements apply to all people in the state who suspect child abuse or neglect.

In other states, mandated reporting requirements generally apply to professions that have frequent contact with children. These generally include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Child care providers
  • Caregivers
  • Counselors and other
  • Mental health professionals
  • Medical examiners and coroners
  • Nurses, physicians and other health care providers
  • Police and other law enforcement officers
  • School teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, principals and other school personnel
  • Social workers

CASA Kane County is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the Juvenile Court system. To learn more, visit the organization’s website at www.casakanecounty.org.

Read the Series

  • Today: Fight Against Child Abuse in Kane County, IL, Doesn’t End in April