Description
Recent changes in the laws as well as current national and local discussions have resulted in confusion and licensing complaints regarding the mandated reporting of suspected child maltreatment, vulnerable adults, and imminent harm. This workshop will update participants on these changes in both criminal and civil laws concerning suspected maltreatment and harm. Content will address the complex legal, ethical, and therapeutic issues that arise when making required reports of suspected maltreatment, alternative response and investigative responses, confidentiality, and rights of clients. Content will also explore the complex issue of making reports when an adult discloses that they were maltreated as a child. Content will include COMAR 10.42.03 Code of Ethics and the laws governing mandated reporting.
Instructor
University of Maryland School of Social Work
Gisele Ferretto, MSW, LCSW-C has over 35 years of social work experience in both clinical and macro practice areas. Her areas of expertise include: policy, professional ethics, supervision and leadership, confidentiality, social work and field practicum education, child welfare practice, and curriculum development. Ms. Ferretto provides consultation and training for private and public agencies in her areas of expertise. She has served on a variety of committees and boards at the local, state, and national level developing policy and program initiatives.
Currently, Ms. Ferretto is on the Faculty at the University of Maryland School of Social Work (SSW). During her tenure at the SSW, she has held positions in the Office of Field Education, Title IV-E Education for Public Child Welfare Program, Child Welfare Academy, Family Connections Baltimore, and Social Work Community Outreach Service (SWCOS). Prior to her time at the SSW, she served as an administrator at the Maryland Department of Human Services in the following programs: Child Protective Services, Office of Equal Opportunity, and the Office of Staff Development and Training. Ms. Ferretto began her social work career as a Child Protective Services Worker at Baltimore City Department of Social Services.
Agenda & Learning Objectives
AGENDA:
8:50 am Log on
9:00 am
Historical and Ethical Context of Mandated Reporting
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Strategies for Minimizing Risk
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Activity: Maltreatment Reflection
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Professional Licensing Statutes and Regulations Regarding Ethics & Reporting
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Identification of Ethical Issues Related to Reporting
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Required Reports & Legal Duties of Professional Helpers
BREAK: 10:45 am to 11:00 am
Reporting Harm of Self or Others
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Duty to Warn/ Duty of Care
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Extreme Risk Prevention Protection Orders
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Petition for Emergency Evaluation
Legal Definitions of Harm to Vulnerable Adults
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Abuse
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Exploitation
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Neglect
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Self-Neglect
LUNCH: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
1:00 pm
Legal Definitions of Child Maltreatment
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Child Physical Abuse
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Child Sexual Abuse and Substantial Risk of Sexual Abuse
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Child Neglect, including law concerning children left unattended
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Child Mental Injury (Mental Injury Abuse and Mental Injury Neglect)
BREAK: 2:45 pm to 3:00 pm
3:00 pm
Reporting Suspected Child Maltreatment
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Reporting Requirements (Who, When, How, Immunity)
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Professional Sanctions for Failing to Report
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Recent changes to reporting law
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What Happens After a Report is Made
Adjournment and Evaluations: 4:30 pm
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
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Distinguish the elements and legal terms which define child physical abuse, child sexual abuse, child neglect, mental injury, substantial risk of sexual abuse, abuse, neglect, self-neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, duty to warn, and imminent harm.
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Apply ethical concepts and current statute when making reports concerning suspected child maltreatment, vulnerable adults, and imminent harm.
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Learn reporting requirements, including reporting when the individual is no longer a child, and the elements of the investigative and alternative responses.
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Evaluate their practice when faced with the ethical requirements of mandated reporters while establishing and maintaining therapeutic relationships and respecting cultural diversity.
Bibliography & References
BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES
Maryland Statutes reviewed: from Maryland General Assembly/ Related Links/LexisNexis https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/RelatedLinks
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Family Law Article §5-704.1 (substantial risk of sexual abuse)
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Family Law §5-704 (reporting child maltreatment)
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Family Law §14-302 (reporting vulnerable adults)
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Courts and Judicial Proceedings §5-609 ( Duty to Warn)
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Public Safety § 5–601 through 5–610: (Extreme Risk Prevention Protective Orders)
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Health-General § 10-622 (Petition for Emergency Evaluation)
Maryland Regulations reviewed from http://www.dsd.state.md.us/COMAR/ComarHome.html
COMAR 10.42.03 Code of Ethics Social Work BSWE
COMAR 07.02.07 Child Abuse and Neglect
COMAR 07.02.16 Adult Protective Services
Maryland Department of Human Services, Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services: https://dhs.maryland.gov/
Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children &Families, Children’s Bureau, Child Welfare Information Gateway https://www.childwelfare.gov/
Allnock D, Kiff J (2023) 'Listening to children and young people's experiences of disclosing child sexual abuse: insights for the proposed mandatory reporting duty in England and Wales'. London: NSPCC.
Reamer, F. G. (2023). Risk management in the Behavioral Health Professions: A Practical Guide to preventing malpractice and licensing-board complaints. Columbia University Press.
Kristyn Kamke, Tara M. Mullin, Kimberly L. Goodman (2023) Barriers to Seeking Medical Care Among Youth Victims of Sexual Violence, Journal of Adolescent Health, ISSN 1054-139X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.06.034.
Dubowitz H, Barth RP. (2023) Seeking a Balanced View of Child Protective Services. JAMA Pediatr. 2023; 177(10):991–992. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.2578
Thomas, R., & Reeves, M. (2023) Mandatory Notification Laws. National Library of Medicine, StatPearls Publishing LLC.
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
We welcome anyone interested in the topic!
Late Fees and Refunds
The base price is $130 and includes CE credit. A non-refundable late fee of $20 is added on June 14, 2024.
Cancellations** must be received 24 hours in advance prior to the workshop to receive a refund or an account credit.
Late fees cannot be refunded or applied to account credit.
**ALL cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee.**
ADA Accommodations
If you are requesting ADA accommodations, please contact our office via email at least two weeks prior to the workshop date. Requests after that date may not be fulfilled.
Our email address is cpe@ssw.umaryland.edu.
