Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting in Pennsylvania for Licensure Renewal

Fulfills requirement:Pennsylvania’s requirements for child abuse reporting for psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and nurses (license renewal only).

Please note that the course follows strict requirements from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and is in a different format from most Zur courses. While we originally submitted content we considered to be more engaging, the reviewers did not accept that content.

Assessing for child abuse and discerning whether to make a report to child and family services are among the most stressful responsibilities of mandated reporters. The decision can change the lives of the child and all family members, and it also can significantly impact social groups and communities. This course was designed to address the issues that mandated reporters must understand specific to child abuse the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The purpose of this advanced introductory/intermediate course is to help mental health professionals and nurses to appreciate the scope of the problem in Pennsylvania, become familiar with the child welfare laws in Pennsylvania, recognize the signs of abuse as defined by state law, and understand the issues surrounding mandated reporting. Course content consists of a PowerPoint presentation also available in audio format.

Though not officially part of the course, supplementary information includes of a copy of the CY47 form for filing reports of suspected child abuse, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ Child Protective Services 2023 Annual Report, and the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children’s 2022 State of Child Welfare – A System Under Stress: Examining How to Better Support Pennsylvania’s Child Welfare System and the Children and Families It Serves.