FOR QUESTIONS OR INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL OR CALL:

KAREN MAKIN

Coordinator of Programs and Projects
Email Karen
Office: 814-940-0223 Ext. 1316

CHILD ABUSE RECOGNITION AND REPORTING ACT

ACT 126

On July 5, 2012, Governor Corbett signed into law Act of July 5, 2012, P.L. 1084, No. 126 Cl. 24 Session of 2012, which amended the Public School Code of 1949 to mandate that all school entities(a public school, charter school, cyber charter school, private school, nonpublic school, intermediate unit or area vocational-technical school) and independent contractors of school entities provide certain training to all employees who have direct contact with children. Direct contact with children has been defined as “the possibility of care, supervision, guidance or control of children or routine interaction with children." The law went into effect on January 2, 2013.
If a school district wishes to provide Act 48 for professional staff the training must be approved by the Department of Education in consultation with the Department of Welfare.

Under Act 126, Training must address, but not be limited to, the following topics:

  • Recognition of the signs of abuse and sexual misconduct and reporting requirements for suspected abuse and sexual misconduct in this Commonwealth.

  • Provisions of the Act of December 12, 1973 (P.L.397, No.141), known as the "Educator Discipline Act," including mandatory reporting requirements.

  • The school entity's policies related to reporting of suspected abuse and sexual misconduct.

  • Maintenance of professional and appropriate relationships with students.

IU8 TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 provides training on Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuseto our member organizations through the PA Family Support Alliance train the trainer program. PA Family Support Alliance is an approved provider as determined by the PA Department of Education and PA Department of Human Services.
Participants must attend the full 3-hour session to meet the requirements on recognizing and reporting child abuse component of the mandate. Act 48 hours are available for professional educators holding PA certification. CEU’s are available through PAFSA for licensed professionals as required under Act 31 (link will be provided during training time).
Training dates are available in the registration system for sessions offered at the IU offices. Additionally, IU 8 will conduct training at districts as requested. To schedule a training at your district please contact Karen Makin.

CLICK HERE for available sessions and registration.

Sessions are face-to-face training and will be open to individuals of our member districts (including regular full/part-time/substitute employees, volunteers and contractors). The $5 non-refundable registration fee is for the required participant workbook and processing. The fee is for the cost of the workbook and any increases will be reflected at registration.

Training will provide information related to the requirements of mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect as defined by the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law. For educators, this is one component of the Act 126 requirements.

TRAINING OBJECTIVES:

  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of child abuse / neglect

  • Review the elements of child abuse including categories of abuse and associated indicators

  • Learn how to properly report cases of suspected child abuse / neglect

  • Become familiar with responsibilities and protections under the law

  • Provide a better understanding of the County Children & Youth agencies and the roles played when suspected abuse and/or neglect is reported

PA FAMILY SUPPORT ALLIANCE WEBINAR TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

  • Online version of training complete with activities

  • Preregistration and payment is required

  • Registration and payment details can be found on the PA FamilySupport Alliancewebsite. Select the Mandated Reporters link.

  • Sessions are available at different times including evening and weekend

  • Materials will be available at log in (log in at least 10 minutes prior to start time)

  • Participants must individually log in to receive credit

  • Participants must stay logged in for the duration of the training and complete the pre-test and post-test

The PA Family Support Alliance will also do on-site training for school districts. For more information visit their website http://www.pa-fsa.org and click the Mandated Reporters link.