Course Summary

Child maltreatment is prevalent in the United States as well as worldwide. Child Protective Services provides a centralized avenue to receive and investigate reports of child maltreatment in an effort to reduce the overall prevalence of child abuse in the United States. Most states and agencies have established guidelines and regulations requiring people in certain professions with frequent contact with children, such as teachers, police officers, mental health professionals, and healthcare workers, to report any known or suspected child abuse. As a nurse, it is essential to understand the requirements for mandatory reporting, state-specific laws regarding reporting suspected abuse, and the process for making a report to Child Protective Services.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• Introduction
• Prevalence and Risk Factors of Child Maltreatment
• Physical and Mental Consequences of Child Maltreatment
• Child Protective Services
  • Roles and Responsibilities of CPS
  • Purpose, Processes, and Strategies of CPS
• Approaches to CPS Intervention: Cultural Competency, Humility, and Diversity Awareness
• Reporting Child Maltreatment
  • Reporter’s Name and Identity Disclosure
  • Stages of Reporting and Investigation
  • Evaluation and Determination
• Investigation Case Reports
  • Screening Reports
  • Initial Investigation
  • Family Assessment
  • Planning, Strategies, and Interventions
  • Case Example: Texas Children’s Commission (2020)
  • Evaluating Change
  • Closure and Ending CPS Involvement
• Performing a Comprehensive Family Assessment
  • Cultural, Strengths-based, Holistic, Family-Based Approaches
  • Assessment Tools
  • Family Assessment and Plan
  • Selection and Implementation of Interventions
  • Evaluation of Change
  • Closing a Case
• Federal Mandates and Guidelines
• Mandatory Reporting
  • Institutional Reporting
  • Rights and Responsibilities of Reporters
  • Penalties for Failure to Report
  • Caring for a Child’s Needs After Reporting
  • Thresholds and Standards for Investigating Child Maltreatment
  • Privileged Communication
• Case Study: Differential Diagnosis of Infant Maltreatment
  • Discussion
• Summary

Author

Carly Sell, DNP, PMHNP-BC

Carly Sell, a Montana native, has worked as a psychiatric nurse for the past 14 years. Carly graduated in 2007 from Carroll College with her bachelor’s degree in nursing and from Montana State University in 2022 with her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Carly has always been passionate about improving overall mental health and wellbeing throughout the state of Montana through areas such as suicide prevention, mental health awareness education, and trauma-informed care. At home, Carly enjoys spending time with her husband, three amazing children, and a multitude of furry, feathered, and scaled friends. In addition, she loves hiking, attempting to garden, and supporting her family in their many sporting events and activities.