Compassionate Mandated Reporting Across Disciplines

Professionals in the human services, behavioral health, and education fields have seen an increase in abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults. As those numbers grow, mandated reporters are very likely to interact with child protective services and/or adult protective services — but not all professionals are prepared to identify abuse and neglect, coordinate community support, and provide appropriate actions to deter future abuse or neglect in an ethical and compassionate way.

This webinar reviewed the responsibilities facing professionals that have been determined to be mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse and neglect. The program reviewed the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect and the first steps to making a report to the appropriate authorities. Case studies and role-plays cover how to talk to child abuse and neglect intake workers, how and when to talk to parents about suspected abuse and/or neglect, and what to expect after a report is made. Ethical issues were also discussed, including why mandatory reporting is important for children’s welfare, providing compassionate and competent reporting, and understanding the long-term outcomes of reporting child abuse and neglect and what happens when a child is left in an unsafe home.

Subject Matter Expert:
Deborah P. Coehlo, Ph.D., C-PNP, PMHS, CFLE

Panelists:
Manya Ralkowski, EdS, BCBA, LBA, IBA

Iris Maynard, MA, Caseworker Supervisor of the Department of Human Services

Learning objectives:

• Identify common signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect in children, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and physical, medical, environmental, and educational neglect.  
• Practice compassionate and competent communication with professionals and parents regarding suspected child abuse and neglect.  
• Know when to discuss concerns with parents and when to make a mandatory report without notifying parents.  
• Determine the appropriate authorities to call when making a report of suspected child abuse and neglect.  
• Know resources commonly used to help parents become stronger and keep families together.  
• Understand decisions surrounding when a child is removed from the home, a parent is removed from the home, or when a family is kept together.  
• Discuss and analyze ethical dilemmas surrounding child abuse and neglect, including cultural variations on definitions, the negative impact on a child of being placed in foster care, relative placement as a mandate, and what happens when the child is the abuser.  

Continuing education:
BCBA CEUs: 2 BACB General

TIMELINE: This course, on its own has a license for active use for 30 days unless it is purchased as part of a bundle/library.

MANDATORY DISCLAIMER: The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (“BACB”) does not sponsor, approve, or endorse Special Learning, the materials, information, or sessions identified herein.

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