Course Summary

Practice Level: Intermediate

The information presented in this course is specific to child maltreatment. Some of the content appearing in this course also appears in our 1 hour course titled Mandatory Abuse Reporting which explores child maltreatment and also elder and vulnerable adult abuse. Mental health, human services, and healthcare providers are the frontline forces for preventing, recognizing, and assessing child abuse and neglect. It is critical that counselors, social workers, psychologists, and marriage and family therapists and other service providers are able to define, identify, and assess child abuse and neglect, with the ultimate aim of preventing such abuses and protecting youth. This course provides the reader with information necessary to recognize, assess, and report child abuse and neglect.

Course Format

This course contains downloadable online lessons (PDF) and a practice test. When you’re ready, purchase the course by clicking the “Add To Cart” or “Enroll” button. This will let you take the test, complete the course evaluation and receive your certificate for CE credits.

Learning Objectives

  • Define child abuse and neglect.
  • Recognize risk factors, signs, and symptoms of child maltreatment.
  • Identify the purpose, roles, and responsibilities of child protective services.
  • Identify the role and requirements of the mandatory reporter.
  • Describe varied child abuse and neglect assessment practices.

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Child Maltreatment Definitions
    •     Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)
    •     Parental Substance Use 
    •     Child Abandonment
    •     Medical Neglect
    •     Educational Neglect
    •     Corporal Punishment vs. Physical Abuse
    •     Specific Child Maltreatment Terms
  • Risk Factors, Signs, and Symptoms for Child Maltreatment
    •     United States Risk Factors, Signs, and Symptoms
    •     International Risk Factors
    •     Culture, Context, Environment, And Special Considerations
  • Child Protective Services
    •     Roles and Responsibilities of Child Protective Services
    •     Purpose, Processes, and Strategies of Child Protective Services
    •     Necessary Approaches to CPS Intervention
    •     Processes of Reporting
    •     Steps for Investigation and Planning in Child Maltreatment Cases
    •     Comprehensive Family Assessment
  • Mandatory Reporting
    •     Mandatory Reporting Professionals
    •     Institutional Reporting
    •     Rights and Responsibilities of Reporters
    •     Thresholds and Standards for Reporting and Investigating Child Maltreatment
  • Assessment of Child Abuse and Neglect
    •     Information Gathered for a Risk Assessment
    •     Physical Indicators of Abuse and Neglect
    •     Behavioral Indicators of Abuse or Neglect
    •     Psychological Indicators of Abuse and Neglect
    •     Evidence-Based Assessment Tools
    •     Assessment for Children Exposed to Child Maltreatment
  • Summary

Authors

Teresa Crowe, PhD, LICSW

Teresa Crowe, PhD, LICSW is a licensed clinical social worker in the District of Columbia and Maryland. She is a professor of social work at Gallaudet University and teaches practice, theory, and research in the MSW program. Her recent research focuses on deaf and hard of hearing populations, especially in the areas of behavioral health, intimate partner violence, telemental health, well-being, and help-seeking.

Heidi Dalzell, Psy.D.

Heidi Dalzell, Psy.D. is a psychologist in private practice specializing in eating disorders, as well as dual addictions, trauma, domestic violence and depression. She conducts individual and couples therapy with adolescent and adult clients. In addition to authoring numerous mental health courses she frequently blogs and writes newspaper articles about mental health topics.

Accreditation Approval Statements

CE4Less.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE4Less.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CE4Less.com has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6991. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE4Less.com is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

We are committed to providing our learners with unbiased information. CE4Less never accepts commercial support and our authors have no significant financial or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.