Safety

Pennsylvania law requires that CCA ensure that each learner is able to be visibly seen at least one time per week.

CCA’s instructional program provides multiple, daily opportunities for teachers and other staff to be able to see and hear learners in real time through Guided Instruction and Live Classroom. Additional opportunities for teachers and staff to see and hear students in real time exist through: contact by homeroom teachers and course teachers; regularly scheduled small group sessions for learners receiving additional support from interventionists and specialists through CCA’s MTSS process; regularly scheduled progress monitoring for learners with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs); scheduled in-person and virtual related services for learners with IEPs or 504 Plans; dozens of clubs that meet in Zoom on a weekly or bi-weekly basis with CCA instructors in attendance; in-person and virtual field trips with CCA representatives in attendance; and, in-person activities throughout each school year at each of CCA’s Family Service Centers across the state.

In the event that a teacher or administrator has a concern about the safety of a learner, they will initially communicate directly with the family to address the matter. If directly communicating with the family does not address the concern, teachers and administrators may request the involvement of the local authorities, including county Children and Youth Services personnel or law enforcement officers.

CCA also employs a number of Attendance, Communication, and Engagement Specialists (ACES), whose primary job responsibilities include conducting home visits to address attendance or engagement concerns. ACES are assigned to work at various Family Service Centers across the state, and each has access to a CCA fleet vehicle to facilitate conducting multiple home visits each week. Each ACES specialist reviews the learner’s educational records prior to a home visit, communicates with teachers and administrators, and is supplied with additional student laptops and power cords, which supports the reengagement of any learners who fall behind on school work.

CCA also empowers each administrator to conduct home visits in the event the safety of a learner or academic concerns require this level of intervention prior to the involvement of CYS or law enforcement.

Pennsylvania law also requires school representatives to report any observed indication of child abuse, neglect, or harm in accordance with the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL), 23 Pa.C.S. § 6301 et seq.

CCA will work with each family to ensure students are safe and well, while respecting the privacy and flexibility requested by the family.

Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” before it is too late.

Students are encouraged to report tips anonymously to 1-844-Safe2Say (723-2729) or Online at safe2say.org.

Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law requires all CCA employees and those acting on behalf of CCA to report any instance of suspected child abuse. CCA staff members must, by law, notify the ChildLine and Abuse Registry whenever they are concerned about a learner’s safety. It is not the school’s responsibility to determine or investigate prior to reporting.

The Board Policies on Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting and Reporting Employee/Educator Misconduct can be found on CCA’s website.

The majority of the academic content used by CCA is available within the RMS and should not require the learner to leave the secure site. However, if a Learning Coach or learner is uncomfortable with any linked sites, they should contact their learner’s teacher to discuss alternatives. See Appendix E for CCA’s Acceptable Use Policy.

CCA offers an internal email system called webmail and a direct messaging feature called chat to allow for secure communications with teachers, administrators, learners and Learning Coaches. Webmail and chat messages are not guaranteed to be private and may be monitored.

CCA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and nurturing educational environment for all learners and encourages the promotion of positive interpersonal relations among members of the school community. Bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, and it detracts from the safe environment needed for learning to occur. Bullying and cyberbullying include an intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or series of acts directed at another person that is persistent, severe, or pervasive and interferes with a learner’s education or creates a threatening environment. Learners or Caretakers should report any instance of bullying or cyberbullying to their principal or any other school personnel. Any report will be promptly reviewed and investigated, and appropriate action will be taken.

It is the responsibility of each learner to respect the rights of teachers, learners, administrators, and all others who are involved in the educational process. Bullying, hazing, and other harmful treatment of others will be subject to disciplinary action. Learners should use proper language, without obscenities, while attending and participating in school courses and functions. Any violation of these policies will result in learner discipline. Please see the school’s Bullying Policy at https://ccaeducate.me/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/3-120-Bullying-Cyberbullying-Hazing-Ready-Bd-Approval.pdf.

Weapons, replicas of weapons, and other dangerous instruments (as defined by state law or school policy) are forbidden in Family Service Centers, on school property, and at school-sanctioned events, regardless of location. Weapons shall include, but are not limited to, any loaded or unloaded firearm, any kind of explosive device, any kind of knife, or any other tool, instrument or substance fashioned with the intent to sell or use to harm, threaten or harass learners, staff members, parents or any other visitor or guest of the school.

This policy applies to all learners, caretakers, Learning Coaches and other adults visiting a family service center, or attending a school-sanctioned event. Any learner found in possession of a weapon, regardless of intent, shall be reported to their Caretakers and the police. The learner will be placed on suspension and presented to the Board for a formal hearing in accordance with the discipline policy.

In general, a learner found in possession of a weapon may be expelled from CCA for a period of not less than one year. The board may modify the expulsion period on a case-by-case basis at the recommendation of the President and CEO.

Anyone in possession of a weapon will be asked to remove the weapon from the premises. CCA reserves the right to exclude caretakers, Learning Coaches, or other individuals from CCA property, or school-sanctioned events, if CCA administration believes the safety of students, staff or other individuals may be compromised.

Drugs and alcohol are prohibited at all school-sanctioned events and in all CCA-owned and-leased buildings. Any violation of these policies will result in learner discipline. The most meaningful approaches to drug and alcohol abuse involve cooperative efforts on the part of learners, parents, CCA, and community agencies. CCA recognizes the need to manage and treat the problem of drug and alcohol abuse and has instituted a Student Assistance Program (SAP) that is available to refer learners for the appropriate help.