Please note: This is the 2-hour version of the course: Identification and Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse: The Pennsylvania State Requirement. Click here to take the 3-hour version.

Course Summary

Child abuse is a pervasive issue with profound and lasting consequences on the physical and mental health of affected individuals. The Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) training requirements aim to equip professionals with the essential knowledge to identify, report, and address suspected child abuse effectively. It is vital for professionals in healthcare, education, social services, and law enforcement to participate in continuing education for child abuse, ensuring they are well-prepared to protect vulnerable children and promote their healthy development and recovery. The historical context and recent amendments to the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law (PA CPSL), the roles and responsibilities of child welfare agencies, and the detailed procedures for reporting suspected child abuse are discussed in sections of the CPSL training.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• Introduction
• Historical Context of Child Protective Services In Pennsylvania
• Epidemiology of Child Abuse
  • Pennsylvania State Prevalence
• Child Welfare in Pennsylvania
  • Definition of a Perpetrator
  • Categories and Indicators of Child Abuse
  • Mandatory Notification of Substance Affected Infants by Health Care Providers & Plan of Safe Care (Act 54 of 2018)
• Key Components of Child Abuse
• Forms of Child Abuse in Pennsylvania
  • Common Indicators of Bodily Injury
  • Sexual Abuse/Exploitation
  • Sexual Abuse or Exploitation
  • Indicators of Sexual Abuse or Exploitation
  • Serious Physical Neglect
  • Indicators of Serious Physical Neglect
  • Serious Mental Injury
  • Trafficking and Exploitation
  • Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons
  • Exclusions from Child Abuse
• Reporting Suspected Child Abuse
  • Basis to Report (23 Pa.C.S. § 6311)
  • Staff Members of Institutions, etc. (23 Pa.C.S. § 6311)
  • Reporting Procedure: (23 Pa.C.S. § 6313)
  • Privileged Communications (23 Pa.C.S. § 6311.1)
  • Release of Information in Confidential Reports (23 Pa.C.S. § 6340)
  • Immunity from Liability (23 Pa.C.S. § 6318)
  • Protection from Employment Discrimination (23 Pa.C.S. § 6320)
  • Penalties (23 Pa.C.S. § 6319)
  • Disposition of Complaints Received/Responsibility for Investigation
  • Notice to Mandated Reporter
  • Case Scenarios
• Summary

Author

Kathryn Brogan, MD

Kathryn Brogan, MD is a physician and board-certified general and child and adolescent psychiatrist. Dr. Brogan graduated from medical school at University of Louisville School of Medicine in 2016. She then completed Psychiatry Residency at Northwestern University and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at University of Utah, graduating in 2021. Dr. Brogan’s special interests and areas of expertise include first break psychosis, bipolar disorder, psychopharmacology, and systems of care. In addition to clinical and academic work, Dr. Brogan is passionate about advocacy, teaching, and physician-led team based care.