If you suspect abuse or neglect, call 855-444-3911 any time day or night. This toll-free phone number allows you to report abuse or neglect of any child or adult to the Michigan Department of Human Services.
One number. One call. One person can make a difference
The above information is directly from DHS and the number is the statewide hotline. If you suspect abuse or neglect, call them. As I understand the law, librarians are not mandated reporters, but this number should be available to all of your staff to use if they suspect something.
Ray Arnett, CFRE
Fremont Area District Library
104 East Main Street
Fremont MI 49412
(231) 928-0243 (direct)
(231) 924-3480
(231) 924-2355 (fax)
From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org] On Behalf Of Christine Hage
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2017 2:46 PM
To: Kat Boyer; Michlib-l
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] CPS reporting question
Call the local police and ask for a welfare check They will handle it. I've called when unattended children are in the library during a school day. Called when a staff member had repeated broken bones (it was spousal abuse). They will contact family, CPS, and give rides home.
Christine Lind Hage,
Director, Rochester Hills Public Library
Councilor, United for Libraries
500 Olde Towne Road
Rochester, MI 48309
258/650-7122
On Tue, Feb 7, 2017 at 2:11 PM -0500, "Kat Boyer" <librarykat.15@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi everyone,
I just had a rather distubring conversation with a patron who was telling me that his nephews called him at 1 am last night to tell him that they were home alone and in the car of a 10 year was was left with them and a 1 year old infant. The patron told me that there were no adults in the home at the time of the call and that the mothers of the children were unreachable.
At what point are we compelled to call CPS if we hear information like this? I am not sure if I am required to report, if I should report, or if I should encourage my patron to report this information.
Kat Boyer
Interim Director
Benton Harbor Public Library