PFSA Increases the Number of 'Mandated Reporters' Trained to Spot Child Abuse

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA) provided training to 8,100 mandated reporters in how to recognize and report child abuse and neglect during its 2010-11 program year, an increase of nearly 10 percent over the previous year.

Mandated reported are persons such as police officers, teachers, and doctors who are legally required to report suspected child abuse.

In all, PFSA conducted 299 in-person training sessions through 185 organizations—in addition to its new Web-based training program. PFSA introduced a Web-based training program specifically geared to school personnel.

"We've had a highly successful year in the sense that we have increased the number of trained observers who are prepared and knowledgeable about detecting abuse and neglect," said Angela Liddle, executive director of PFSA. "Unfortunately," she added, "the need for this kind of vigilance has not gone away."

According to the annual child abuse report issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, 24,615 reports of suspected child and student abuse were received in 2010 and mandated reporters made up 77 percent of all referrals for substantiated reports.

PFSA specializes in providing training on recognizing and reporting suspected abuse and neglect through schools, early childhood education centers, religious institutions, and social service agencies.

It also added during the past year a new curriculum that emphasizes the type of child abuse injuries and conditions that law enforcement personnel might encounter. PFSA will be providing child abuse recognition training to State Police cadets during its current program year.

PFSA also works with more than 50 affiliate agencies across Pennsylvania to provide information, educational materials, and programs that teach and support good parenting practices, and is the Pennsylvania sponsor of The Front Porch Project®, a community-based training initiative that educates the general public about how to protect children from abuse.

Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance
Protecting children from abuse
Training for professionals
Support for families
Education for communities

Visit the PFSA website at www.pa-fsa.org

SOURCE PA Family Support Alliance