Child Abuse Prevention Training
Information Regarding Child Abuse Prevention Training Including the Identification of Child Abuse in an Educational Setting
Background
In accordance with Chapter 363 of the Laws of 2018, the Board of Regents adopted amendments to certain sections of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education related to Reports of Child Abuse in an Educational Setting. A copy of the amendments can be found here. These amendments originally went into effect October 23, 2019 but were subsequently extended to September 30, 2020.
Changes to Current Requirements
The amendments to the reports of child abuse expanded the definition of individuals required to take both the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment (a.k.a. Mandated Reporter) and the identification of child abuse in an educational setting trainings.
The following chart breaks down who is now required to take which training:
School Personnel Required to Take
Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment and/or
Child Abuse in an Educational Setting Training
| Personnel | Identification & Reporting of Child Abuse & Maltreatment Training | Child Abuse in an Educational Setting Training |
|---|---|---|
|
Occupational Therapists (licensed/registered) |
|
✓ |
|
Physical Therapists (licensed/registered) |
|
✓ |
|
School Administrators/Supervisors (certified/uncertified) |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Attendance Teacher |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Board Members |
|
✓ |
|
School Bus Driver or Supervisor |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Counselors |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Dental Hygiene Teacher |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Nurse Teacher |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Nurses |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Psychologists |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Resource Officers |
|
✓ |
|
School Social Workers |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Speech Language Pathologists (licensed/registered) |
|
✓ |
|
Teachers – current (certified and uncertified) |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Teachers – new (certified and uncertified) |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Teacher Aides |
|
✓ |
|
Other Personnel Required to Hold a Teaching or Administrative Certificate or License |
✓ |
✓ |
The legislation expands the number of education and education-related staff (e.g. drivers for bus contractors and religious and independent school staff) who need the Mandated Reporter training and also adds a new training requirement.
Updated Mandated Reporter Training Requirements: Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2021 amended Social Services Law § 413 to require additional training to include protocols to reduce implicit bias in decision-making processes, strategies for identifying adverse childhood experiences, and guidelines to assist in recognizing signs of abuse or maltreatment while interacting virtually within the New York State Mandated Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment/Neglect coursework. This law requires that mandated reporters, including those who have previously undergone the current training, complete the updated training curriculum by April 1, 2025.
How to Obtain the Required Training
There are a variety of ways to obtain the required training:
- For identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment (a.k.a. Mandated Reporter) trainings, the Office of Professions maintains a list of providers on its website.
- For identification of child abuse in an educational setting trainings:
- Consult your school district or local BOCES for potential providers.
- Some schools have received the training from their own attorneys.
How Often Does Each Training Need to be Taken?
- For identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment (a.k.a. Mandated Reporter), training need only be completed one time.
- For identification of child abuse in an educational setting, training should be completed annually.
Reimbursement Eligibility
ORISS is pleased to announce that beginning April 1, 2020 the fees associated with both trainings are eligible for reimbursement under the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment (NPSE) grant.
If you have any questions, please contact ORISS by email at ORISS@nysed.gov or by phone at (518) 473-8202.