Child Protective Services and Mandatory Reporting of Child Maltreatment

Course overview

Child maltreatment is prevalent in the United States as well as worldwide. Child Protective Services provides a centralized avenue to receive and investigate reports of child maltreatment in an effort to reduce the overall prevalence of child abuse in the United States. Most states and agencies have established guidelines and regulations requiring people in certain professions with frequent contact with children, such as teachers, police officers, mental health professionals, and healthcare workers, to report any known or suspected child abuse. As a nurse, it is essential to understand the requirements for mandatory reporting, state-specific laws regarding reporting suspected abuse, and the process for making a report to Child Protective Services.