What does being a mandated reporter mean?

Page 2

Maltreatment

Child maltreatment includes all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role (e.g., clergy, coach, teacher). There are four common types of maltreatment.

• Physical Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Emotional Abuse
• Neglect 

Optional Resources

• ​Understanding Child Maltreatment, CDC
• Child Maltreatment: Facts at a Glance, CDC

Data & Statistics 

• There were 683,000 victims of child abuse and neglect reported to child protective services (CPS) in 2015.
• The youngest children are the most vulnerable with about 24% of children in their first year of life experiencing victimization.
• CPS reports may underestimate the true occurrence of abuse and neglect. A non-CPS study estimated that 1 in 4 children experience some form of child abuse or neglect in their lifetimes.
• About 1,670 children died from abuse or neglect in 2015.
• The total lifetime cost of child abuse and neglect is estimated at $124 billion each year.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

As a teacher, you have daily contact with children. Sometimes you begin to suspect abuse or neglect because of the indicators you observe. Sometimes the child tells you about the abuse or neglect. There are situations that require a child care provider to report child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services (or appropriate state agency). ​

“When any licensed or certified child care provider or their employee has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect, he or she shall report such incident, or cause a report to be made, to the proper law enforcement agency."  ~ Washington State RCW 26.44.040.
​

This is called mandated reporting. ​

This means that when you have reason to suspect that a child is suffering from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect, or exploitation, you should immediately report the circumstances. This report should be made to Child Protective Service’s, or the appropriate agency in your state.

​Check with your local reporting agency to find out the exact procedures to follow if there is immediate danger to a child. ​​​

Find information specific to your state at the following links: 

• Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect, Child Welfare Information Gateway, Children’s Bureau
• ​Child Abuse and Mandated Reporting, State Statutes Search, Child Welfare Information Gateway, Children’s Bureau​

Course Navigation Menu

1.  Course Agenda
​2.  What does being a mandated reporter mean?​
3.  Potential Signs of Neglect or Abuse
4.  Discussion: Alleged Incidents at Work (1/4)
5.  Suspecting Abuse
6.  Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms​​
​7. Your Role as a Mandated Reporter​ (2/4)

8.  Responding to a Child's Disclosure
9.  Do's and Don'ts
10. Discussion: Responding to the Child (3/4)
11. Myths About Abuse and Reporting
12. Quiz (4/4)
13. Evaluation Form​
Parking Lot