Caring for Children at Risk: Recognizing and Responding to Abuse and Neglect
Course Description
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to recognizing, responding to, and preventing child abuse and neglect. Participants will explore types of maltreatment, the legal and ethical responsibilities of professionals, and the cultural factors that shape recognition and intervention. Emphasis is placed on identifying risk factors, distinguishing abuse from other life challenges (such as poverty), and engaging children and families using trauma-informed communication. Learners will build critical skills to assess and respond to child maltreatment while maintaining humility and respecting the rights and needs of children and families.
Learning Objectives
1. Identify and differentiate types of child maltreatment by recognizing the signs and symptoms of physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and neglect—while distinguishing these from other life stressors such as poverty or corporal punishment.
2. Develop skills to conduct minimal-facts, trauma-informed interviews with children and families, while following legal requirements for reporting suspected maltreatment.
3. Understand legal and ethical responsibilities by examining the role of mandated reporters, cross-disciplinary obligations, and the broader legal framework surrounding child maltreatment.
4. Recognize the role of cultural and community competence in responding to maltreatment, and apply this understanding to make ethical, effective decisions that respect diverse norms, beliefs, and values.
2. Develop skills to conduct minimal-facts, trauma-informed interviews with children and families, while following legal requirements for reporting suspected maltreatment.
3. Understand legal and ethical responsibilities by examining the role of mandated reporters, cross-disciplinary obligations, and the broader legal framework surrounding child maltreatment.
4. Recognize the role of cultural and community competence in responding to maltreatment, and apply this understanding to make ethical, effective decisions that respect diverse norms, beliefs, and values.
Please check out the upcoming training calendar to view upcoming training sessions for individuals, or choose request training to bring a session to your organization.
