Report Abuse or Neglect Momentum Academy is committed to providing a safe, supportive learning environment where scholars can grow and thrive. We want our families to know that we have several measures in place that include the following: All employees undergo extensive background checks before they are hired. In addition, Missouri law now requires school districts to disclose to other districts if former employees have been investigated for sexual misconduct. By law, all employees are mandatory reporters. This means they are required by law to report any allegation of child abuse or neglect to the Missouri Department of Social Services – Children’s Division. The state then conducts a thorough, independent investigation. Every Momentum Academy employee completes annual training, called “Protect MO Kids,” which teaches employees how to identify inappropriate staff/scholar conduct, and informs staff of their obligation as mandatory reporters. All visitors to Momentum Academy Schools are checked against the National Sex Offender Registry before entering the building. All communication between staff and scholars must be open and transparent. It must take place using communication methods that are provided by the district, such as district email accounts or Canvas. The district’s policies, regulations, procedures and expectations regarding in-person communications at school and during the school day also apply to electronic communications for educational purposes, regardless of when those communications occur. It is important for all of our parents, guardians, scholars and staff to know that any allegation of misconduct by a staff member is deeply troubling, and we take it very seriously. Reports of staff misconduct, current or former, should always be communicated with local law enforcement to begin a formal investigation. Reports of such misconduct should also be submitted to the Human Resources Officer at humanresources@momentumacademystl.org. Reporting child abuse is everyone’s responsibility If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call the Missouri Child & Abuse Hotline toll-free hotline at 1-800-392-3738. Their team is available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are hearing or speech impaired, call Relay Missouri at 1-800-735-2466 (voice) or 1-800-735-2966 (text). If you are mandated by law to report child abuse and neglect, you can make a report online. We encourage mandated reporters to make a report online when possible, to keep the hotline open for the general public.