Addressing Maltreatment—The Role of Early Childhood Professionals

Action Plan Professional Scenario: Imagin" rel="nofollow">ine that you are an early childhood professional who has recently moved to the state where you are currently workin" rel="nofollow">ing. You know that it is your responsibility to be aware of state child maltreatment regulations. You also want to be prepared to recognize, in" rel="nofollow">intervene, and if at all possible, try to prevent child maltreatment. Before you create your Action Plan together, consider: What you need to know about mandated reportin" rel="nofollow">ing procedures in" rel="nofollow">in your state What ideas and advice from experts can be useful in" rel="nofollow">in supportin" rel="nofollow">ing children who may be at risk for abuse or are victims of abuse, as well as nonabusive adults in" rel="nofollow">in a household What you must do in" rel="nofollow">in terms of reportin" rel="nofollow">ing suspected abuse and what you realistically can do to help a child and family Follow these steps to create your Action Plan. 1. What You Need to Know: Learnin" rel="nofollow">ing About the Reportin" rel="nofollow">ing Procedures in" rel="nofollow">in Your State States vary in" rel="nofollow">in detailin" rel="nofollow">ing "mandated reporters" as well as official procedures for reportin" rel="nofollow">ing. Visit the Prevent Child Abuse America Web site to fin" rel="nofollow">ind out the regulations in" rel="nofollow">in your state*: https://pcadb.cyberwoven.com/public/chapters/in" rel="nofollow">index.cfm At this site, click on your state, then click on the URL. Take notes on the followin" rel="nofollow">ing: The "mandated reporters" in" rel="nofollow">in your state (if your state has many mandated reporters, list those who work or in" rel="nofollow">interact with young children and note there are "others" as well) The official state procedure for reportin" rel="nofollow">ing child maltreatment *If you are unable to locate in" rel="nofollow">information for your state at this Web site, check your state board of education's Web site, or do a Web search, for specific guidance and requirements for reportin" rel="nofollow">ing child abuse in" rel="nofollow">in your state. 2. Ideas and Advice: Checkin" rel="nofollow">ing Resources Accordin" rel="nofollow">ing to the NAEYC, early childhood educators are in" rel="nofollow">in a unique position to support children and families and, through these efforts, play a critical role in" rel="nofollow">in addressin" rel="nofollow">ing the needs of children who are at risk for abuse and neglect. Review the "Supportin" rel="nofollow">ing Parents and Preventin" rel="nofollow">ing Child Maltreatment" article. Also review at least one other of the followin" rel="nofollow">ing resources. Helpin" rel="nofollow">ing Children Thrive: Supportin" rel="nofollow">ing Woman Abuse Survivors as Mothers (PDF) Review the "For Service Providers" sections (see the Index for pages). Promotin" rel="nofollow">ing Effective and Nurturin" rel="nofollow">ing Parentin" rel="nofollow">ing (PDF) Buildin" rel="nofollow">ing Circles, Breakin" rel="nofollow">ing Cycles—Preventin" rel="nofollow">ing Child Abuse and Neglect: The Early Childhood Educator's Role (PDF) Take notes on specific ideas and strategies that you, as an early childhood professional, would feel comfortable with and capable of usin" rel="nofollow">ing with children and families. 3. Takin" rel="nofollow">ing Action: Addressin" rel="nofollow">ing Child Maltreatment to Support Children in" rel="nofollow">in Need With knowledge and ideas in" rel="nofollow">in hand, you're ready to take action. Organize your Action Plan in" rel="nofollow">in two parts, to ensure you cover your two key roles—as a mandated reporter if you suspect abuse, and as an advocate concerned with the well-bein" rel="nofollow">ing of the children and families with whom you work. ASSIGNMENT*** **Part I: How to Report Suspected Child Abuse in" rel="nofollow">in FLORIDA, USA In your own words, explain" rel="nofollow">in the procedure for reportin" rel="nofollow">ing suspected child abuse in" rel="nofollow">in your state. List the followin" rel="nofollow">ing: Criteria to use for determin" rel="nofollow">inin" rel="nofollow">ing when abuse may be present and a report must be made Steps to follow in" rel="nofollow">in makin" rel="nofollow">ing a report **Part II: Strategies for Helpin" rel="nofollow">ing Children and Families Based on the resources, thin" rel="nofollow">ink about the kin" rel="nofollow">inds of needs families that have experienced abuse or are at risk for abuse may have in" rel="nofollow">in each of the followin" rel="nofollow">ing areas: *Knowledge of child development and positive parentin" rel="nofollow">ing practices Information on available community resources Reassurance for children and nonabusive parents *Then, for each area, explain" rel="nofollow">in: A specific need that a parent or child may have Two specific strategies or suggestions you could use or recommend for addressin" rel="nofollow">ing that need *As you write your plan: Choose strategies that you as an early childhood professional would have the skill and in" rel="nofollow">influence to implement. Thin" rel="nofollow">ink about how you present ideas and suggestions to families. Be supportive and nonjudgmental in" rel="nofollow">in the language you use.