In most states, child care providers are mandated reporters of suspected child abuse and neglect. Most states impose strict penalties on mandatory reporters who knowingly or willfully fail to make a report when they suspect that a child is being abused or neglected. Understanding the process and what to look for can mean all the difference in a child who is being abused or neglected. Child care providers working with all age groups, in all settings, and in all states will benefit from learning and understanding the types of abuse children could be subjected to as well as the signs and symptoms of these types of abuse.
While any abuse and/or neglect of a child is difficult for any childcare professional to hear, it is important that they are cognizant of various causes of abuse and neglect in order to best support children. Sometimes cultural values, the standards of care in the community, and poverty may contribute to maltreatment, indicating the family is in need of information or assistance. In addition, child care providers play an important role in supporting abused children. Providers need to have strategies to support those children with a trauma-informed approach. Trauma-informed care shifts the focus from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”
H&H Child Care Training Center is offering Mandated Reporters in an online format for providers across the country. We developed this course to help early childhood educators know their role as mandated reporters, how reports must be completed, signs of child abuse and neglect, and how to support abused children.
Check back soon for our Zoom version of this course. The Zoom Mandated Reporters course will fulfill instructor-led training requirements for those providers needing both online and instructor-led trainings.