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You have learned a lot in the past few lessons about the Miller family. Take some time to reflect on the stories you have read. Answer the questions and compare your responses to the suggested answers. The suggested answers will provide additional information that will help recognize the emotions associated with reporting possible child abuse or neglect.

1. As a leader in the program, you need to know that the staff members in these stories did everything they could to protect the children. They did everything right. What are some challenges you and staff might face?

   First, you see children for a relatively short period of the day. You may only get small pieces of information. Because children are older, your suspicions might be founded on what children say or what you overhear. You might not have the opportunity to see cuts, burns, or bruises that the child tries to hide. This naturally puts you in the difficult situation of making decisions based on limited information. Child abuse and neglect is complicated. Often, there are many witnesses across many different locations. Each witness only has one tiny piece of information. It can be very challenging to put all of the pieces together. Our systems must be designed to help collect information and make accurate decisions. When multiple signs point to child abuse or neglect, though, our systems should be able to recognize a pattern and provide the family with preventive supports.

   Finally, it can be challenging to know just how serious a situation is in the home. You might see families for a very brief time each day. The Miller family clearly needed support. As soon as foster children were placed in the home, a community support network (mental health support, violence prevention, parenting education) should have been put in place for the family.

    
2. What can you do to make sure you do your part to keep children safe?

   Take stories like the Miller’s as a clear message that we must all work together to protect children. We each play a role, and we must do our jobs well. Your job is to report your suspicions. You must trust (and demand) that everyone else does their jobs well, too.  If you are in the military, talk to your Family Advocacy Programs. Know who your FAP teams are and talk to them about the work they do and how you can support one another’s work.

    
3. Now think about all of the emotions and the reasons staff members might be hesitant to report their concerns. Complete the table below.

   Reason staff member might hesitate to report:	Reason I can share about why they should report or ways to solve the problem:
   The Miller family is so nice. They are doing the best they can, and I shouldn’t judge.	Making a report will help keep the children safe and might help the Millers get the skills they need to raise the children safely.
   Bethany might get hurt even worse if I make a report.	Once I make a report, systems will operate to keep Bethany safe. I need to take the first step.
   I’m scared to make a report. I don’t want to cause any trouble.	I can talk to my trainer or supervisor about my feelings and what will happen next.
   Everybody has a right to parent their children in the way that’s right for them.	No one has a right to hurt a child physically or emotionally.