OLYMPIA -- In an effort to keep kids safer, the Washington State Patrol and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) have created pocket cards to help law enforcement officers recognize the signs of serious child abuse and neglect.

Without the need of court orders, state law allows Washington law enforcement officers to place abused or neglected children into protective custody if they believe the kids are at risk of serious injury. But many law enforcement officers don't routinely have the opportunity to work with DSHS social workers in investigating allegations of abuse and neglect. They are mandated reporters, but they haven't had experience working with abused children. Mandated reporters, including police, nurses, doctors, social workers, school employees and others, are required by law to report suspicions of abuse or neglect.

The pocket cards, which are available from the Department of Printing's General Store through the DSHS Internet, include examples of abuse or neglect and behaviors and signs to look for that can indicate a child is at risk of harm.

"We can't say it enough, but all of us are responsible for protecting children and keeping them safe. We also are responsible for supporting our community partners in their efforts to protect kids from further risk of harm," said Cheryl Stephani, assistant secretary for the DSHS Children's Administration. "This handy card is one way that we assist first responders in protecting kids from further risk of harm."

"Public safety is our mission and helping develop the pocket cards is just another way we can help protect children," said Chief John Batiste of the State Patrol. "We also help children by inspecting the school buses they ride, conducting fire safety inspections in child care facilities and helping to find missing children."

"This is an opportunity for DSHS to say thank you to the many law enforcement officers who on a daily basis work with our department to remove children from harmful situations and back up our social workers when they find themselves in dangerous situations," said Stephani.

During fiscal year 2005, DSHS accepted nearly 37,000 abuse and neglect referrals for investigation. These involved about 55,400 children.