Health and Safety

Safety Act Certified School

NCA is ‘Safety Act Certified’ by the US Dept. of Homeland Security!

Read more about about our contract with Prepared Response’s Rapid Responder Solutions to upgrade our school safety, see this article: NCA Contracts with Prepared Response for Increased Student and Staff Safety. Keep an eye out for their logo around our school!

HELPFUL LINKS

Child Custody or *Parenting Cases

If legal custody stipulations apply to your child, it is required that this legal information is communicated, in writing, to the school office. We will abide by any current restraining orders involving our students. A current and valid copy must be on file in the office in order for the school to comply with the legal judgment.

*NCA does not get involved in, but not limited, child custody, separations, boyfriend, girlfriend, estranged relationship or divorce cases, nor do we take sides or write letters in parenting disputes or court cases. NCA staff and teachers do not participate in any interviews, phone calls, written information to guardian ad litem, attorneys or to parents in custody hearing unless subpoenaed by the court.

Child Abuse

Under mandatory reporting laws, it is required for NCA to report any suspected child abuse, neglect, or exploitation to Child Protective Services (CPS) or our local law enforcement agency within 48 hours. Prior notice to the parent(s) and/ or perpetrator will not be given.

Reasonable Cause Report: State law requires professional NCA personnel, including teachers, staff, counselors, volunteers and school administrators, to make an immediate oral report to local law enforcement authorities or Child Protective Services (CPS) whenever they have a reasonable cause to believe a child has/is suffered abuse or neglect.

WAC Definitions and Requirements: Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 388-15-130 further clarifies the definition of child abuse and neglect, as defined in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 26.44.020. This includes, but is not limited to, parent to child, child to child, student to student, adult to child:

• Inflicting physical injury on a child by other than accidental means, causing death, disfigurement, skin bruising, impairment of physical or emotional health, or loss or impairment of any bodily function.
• Creating a substantial risk of physical harm to such a child’s bodily functioning.
• Committing or allowing to be committed, any sexual offense against such child as defined in the criminal code or intentionally touching, either directly or through the clothing, the genitals, anus, or breasts of a child for other than hygiene or child care purposes.
• Committing such acts which are cruel or inhumane regardless of observable injury. Such acts may include, but are not limited to, instances of extreme discipline demonstrating a disregard of a child’s pain and/or mental suffering.
• Assaulting or criminally mistreating a child as defined by the criminal code.
• Failing to provide food, shelter, clothing, supervision, health or development of a child.
• Engaging in actions or omissions resulting in injury to or creating a substantial risk to the physical health, mental health, or development of a child.