Q: Is Training for Mandated Reporters Required? Are Employers Required to Provide Mandated Reporter Training for their Employees?
A: It all depends…
The law of a given state often requires any (or all) of the employees of agencies and organizations that serve children and families to report certain suspicions of child maltreatment to child protective services (CPS). When the law requires reporting of suspicions to CPS, the people required to make those reports are called “mandated reporters”.
State laws related to mandated reporting vary. In most states, there is a list of professionals who are defined as mandated reporters. These professionals always include doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, psychologists, etc.. In fewer than 20 states, called “universal reporting states”, all adults are mandated reporters, regardless of their profession.
Are Mandated Reporters Required to Take Training?
It depends…
Some states, like New York, require certain professionals to receive mandated reporter training before they can apply for initial licensure. If you are seeking a professional license, you should confer with the licensing entity to see if you are required to provide proof of mandated reporter training.
In some other states, like Illinois, all mandated reporters are required to take an initial training on mandated reporting within three months of starting their role as a mandated reporter, and then every three years thereafter.
Are Employers Required to Provide Mandated Reporter Training?
When mandated reporters are required to be trained, their employers might be required by state law to provide the training. Some states require certain employers to provide training to their employees on the responsibilities of mandated reporters.
For example:
New York: New York State has a series of laws that require certain entities to provide training to all new employees, as well as provide training on an ongoing basis. These entities include (but are not limited to): hospitals, schools, the state police, substance use disorder recovery facilities, family care homes, social service agencies, residential and day camps, and mental health clinics.
California: California has a series of laws that require certain employers to provide training to their employees on the requirements of serving as a mandated reporter. School districts, for instance, are required to provide training to their employees in the first six weeks of every school year (or within 6 weeks of being newly employed by the district). Employees and administrators of day care providers are also required to have training on mandated reporting responsibilities. Most recently, California expanded their mandated reporter training requirements to include any entity that includes adult employees whose duties require direct contact with and supervision of minors.
If you’re not sure about the law in your state, check with your state governmental officials for clarification.
Providing Mandated Reporter Training to Your Employees
There are lots of options for mandated reporter training out there, but they are not all equal. If you are looking for the right training for your company, reach out to us at Making the Tough Call. We might be able to provide the training you need, or point you in the direction of high quality training that can meet your requirements.