Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance Wins State Contract To Provide Training To Mandated Reporters Of Child Abuse In PA

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Flanked by lawmakers, members of the Governor's Task Force on Child Protection and child advocates, Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA) President and CEO Angela Liddle applauded the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services' (DHS) decision to award PFSA an up to five-year, $2.5 million competitively bid contract to provide face-to-face training in recognizing and reporting child abuse to mandated reporters across Pennsylvania.

"PFSA's selection by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is a testament to the soundness of our approach, the depth of our curriculum, and the professionalism of our child welfare trainers and staff," said Liddle. "PFSA is the gold standard when it comes to the training of mandated reporters in recognizing and reporting child abuse in Pennsylvania."

Mandated reporters are people who are required by law to report suspected child abuse. The PA Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) was amended in 2013 and in 2014, including significant changes to the list of people who are mandated to report suspected child abuse. They make more than 75% of the calls to ChildLine, the state's hotline to report child abuse – 800-932-0313.

PFSA's face-to-face training, Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse, is one of only a few curricula approved by the Pennsylvania departments of Human Services, Education and State, is eligible for Act 48 credits, and meets training requirements under Acts 126 and 31.

"The Task Force on Child Protection convened after the Jerry Sandusky child sexual-abuse scandal, recommended that the state support proven training programs for a wide range of mandated reporters. I am confident that the professional trainers of PFSA have the expertise to better protect Pennsylvania's children," noted Jason Kutulakis, Esq., a member of the Task Force.

PA now requires training for individuals applying for initial licensure or renewal of a health-related state license (Act 31 of 2014). PFSA has partnered with Lori Frasier, M.D., division chief of child abuse pediatrics at the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, to develop a clinical portion that augments its approved face-to-face training. PFSA will seek approval of the new clinical-training component from the departments of Education, Human Services and State.

To learn more, visit www.pa-fsa.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Nell Abom
717-514-6301
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SOURCE Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance