ODL 210: A Deeper Dive: Mandatory Reporting for Child Abuse and Elder Abuse

Revised on 07/15/2023

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

All states designate certain professionals as mandated reporters. Some states even require that all citizens report. Those of us in the helping professions are amongst those that are mandated reporters of child and elder abuse. Many of us also have a requirement to complete mandatory reporting training that is approved by our state or licensing boards, but do you ever get through that and still have many questions? Have you ever had a case where you were not sure if it should be reported? Have you ever wondered how much or how little information you need? Lastly, have you ever made a report and wondered why there was no investigation? This event will dive deeper into case scenarios using federal and a variety of state guidelines, so all participants leave feeling confident about reporting child and elder abuse. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

• Summarize federal reporting requirements for child and elder abuse
• Identify your own state’s reporting requirements for child and elder abuse
• Describe the ethical obligations of mandatory reporting
• List the different types of abuse and their legal definitions for child and elder abuse
• Give examples of when to report abuse and when to not report abuse

Presenter:

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW, and CEU Creations Educational Manager

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW, is a licensed social worker with over ten years of experience working in different systems. Jessica has a strong passion for teaching, training, and professional development. She also has a strong background around creating trauma informed systems, social emotional behavioral health and the implementation of community and individual support systems. 

Jessica has created and facilitated many professional development trainings throughout her career. Jessica’s role at CEU Creations includes developing curriculum, working with licensure boards, and presenting at various CE trainings. 

Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in organizational management and sociology from Ashford University. She received her Master’s in Social Work from University of Iowa and her Doctoral degree in Social Work from Capella University. Jessica is a licensed Social Worker through the state of Iowa. Jessica currently lives in Iowa with her husband, four children, two dogs, and cat. Any spare moment that Jessica has is usually spent running or reading. 

Samantha Conger, LMSW in Iowa and Illinois and School Social Worker

Samantha Conger, LMSW, is a licensed social worker in Iowa and Illinois. Samantha graduated from Augustana College in 2007. Samantha practiced in various settings including child welfare, inpatient and outpatient mental health, and substance abuse treatment. Samantha earned her Master’s of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Iowa in 2016.

Samantha currently works as a school social worker helping students, families, and teachers while working to build and support systems within the education setting.  Samantha enjoys working with professionals and providing relevant training to empower them in their workplace and personal lives.

Samantha currently resides in Iowa with her husband and twin six year olds. Samantha enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and home improvement projects.

Anna Thomas, MS Gerontology, CACTS

Anna Thomas is a POST certified instructor, the manager of the Division of Aging Services- Forensic Special Initiatives Unit and most recently a Forensic Specialist with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crimes Against the Elderly and Disabled Task Force (CADE).  CADE’s mission is to protect older and disabled adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older and disabled adults, and to prosecute offenders. 

As a graduate of the University of Georgia, Anna holds a degree in Criminal Justice and a degree in Psychology as well as a Master of Science in Gerontology from Brenau University.  After interning with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Anna began her career as an Investigator for the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office. For 5 years she was assigned to a trial team that mainly handled crimes against persons.

In 2008, Anna became a Victim Advocate at the Hall County District Attorney’s Office where she served on the Child Fatality Review Board and the Hall County Domestic Violence Task Force. For 8 years, Anna assisted victims of crime with service referral and guidance through court and the criminal justice system, and aided prosecutors at trial.

In 2016, Anna transitioned to high-level victim advocacy focused on older adults and adults with disabilities. Currently, her work at the Division of Aging Services and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation centers on training primary and secondary responders how to recognize and respond to elder and disabled adult abuse, researching gaps in current victim services, developing new laws to protect vulnerable adults, and public outreach. Her most recent project is the launch of state-wide Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs).

Anna serves on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s Human Trafficking Task Force, the National Network of State Elder Justice Coalitions Steering Committee and is an instructor for the Georgia Victim Advocate Academy.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.