Protecting Children from Child Neglect & Supporting Families

CE Hours 3

About this course

Reports of suspected child neglect make up more than three-quarters of all reports made to child protective services in any given year; 6 times more than reports of sexual abuse, and 5 times more than reports of physical abuse. However, neglect reports are least likely to be substantiated after investigation. The reality is that reporters of suspected child maltreatment struggle with appropriately identifying and reporting this type of maltreatment. This session will explore the legal and ethical obligations of professional reporters, especially as they relate to the concept of child neglect. Various types of child neglect, including physical neglect, medical neglect and educational neglect will be explored, along with a significant conversation around parental supervision and the use of corporal punishment. Practical strategies for intervention with families will be offered and discussed.

Learning Objectives

Define child neglect.
Explain the differences between different types of child neglect.
Describe considerations for determining when making a report to child protective services is required by law.
Identify the ethical/ moral and legal conundrums implicated in evaluating cases for child neglect.
Apply a framework to guide the process for deciding whether to make a report of child neglect.
Identify appropriate interventions to support family functioning.

Learning Levels

All Levels

Target Audience

This self-paced course is intended for mental health professionals, including Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, MFT's and Addiction Professionals.

Course Instructor(s)

Kathryn Krase, JD, MSW

Kathryn Krase is a social worker, lawyer, researcher, educator, and expert on professional ethics. She has significant experience as a family law practitioner, social work supervisor, along with more than 20 years of experience in faculty and administrative roles in undergraduate, masters, and doctoral level social work programs in and around New York City. Dr. Krase is the Principal Consultant for Krase Consulting, in Brooklyn, New York, where she focuses on educating mental and physical health professionals on their general legal and ethical obligations.

Disclosure

DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity ― including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity. The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity’s planners, faculty, and the reviewer: PLANNERS AND REVIEWER The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships. FACULTY The faculty of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

References

Krase, K.S. (2022). Making the tough call: Resource for professional reporters of suspected child maltreatment, Special edition for mental and behavioral health professionals. Krase Consulting.
Krase, K.S. & Delong Hamilton, T. (2020). Child welfare: Preparing social workers for practice in the field. New York: Routledge.
Pollack, D. & Krase, K. (2020, October 27). Reckless endangerment of a child: How does that differ from child abuse and neglect? Connecticut Law Tribune.
Delong Hamilton, T.D., Krase, K.S. & Bundy-Fazioli, K. (2016). Exploring child welfare workers’ experiences with neglect cases: A qualitative study. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 10(1), 21-28.
Stoltenborgh, M., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M.J. & van IJzendoorn, M.H. The neglect of child neglect: a meta-analytic review of the prevalence of neglect. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 48, 345–355 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-012-0549-y
Mikolajczak, M., Brianda, M. E., Avalosse, H., & Roskam, I. (2018). Consequences of parental burnout: Its specific effect on child neglect and violence. Child Abuse & Neglect, 80, 134-145.