HARRISBURG, Pa., April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA) has launched a partnership with the Capital Area Intermediate Unit (CAIU) to offer an online course on recognizing and reporting child abuse specifically designed for teachers and other education professionals.

PFSA Training Director Christina E. Phillips said the course will be offered monthly at a cost of $100. She said teachers who take and pass the course will automatically receive professional development credits through the CAIU's credit tracking system.

Teachers are considered mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect and as such have a legal obligation to report suspected abuse and neglect.

More than 25,300 cases of suspected abuse reported were reported in Pennsylvania in 2009. Forty-three children died from abuse.

"This is an easy and convenient way for teachers to acquire the training they need to be prepared to recognize and deal with the problem of child abuse, which is widespread and occurs all too frequently," Phillips said. "The online training is especially convenient because the course doesn't have to be completed all in one sitting. It can be broken up into segments that can fit a teacher's demanding schedule."

PFSA began offering online training in child abuse recognition and prevention for mandated reporters in all professions in March 2010.

Mandated reporters are people who frequently come into contact with children in the course of performing their jobs and are required by law to report abuse and neglect. They include doctors and nurses, health and social service workers, teachers and school employees, law enforcement authorities, and members of the clergy.

PFSA provides live, in-person training on recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect through schools, early childhood education centers, religious institutions, and social service agencies.

Last year PFSA trained nearly 8,000 individuals in how to recognize and report suspected child abuse.

For more information visit the CAIU website at http://www.caiu.org/services/professional-development.aspx or visit the PFSA website at http://www.pa-fsa.org/ and click on "Mandated Reporters" and then choose "Online Training Course."

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

SOURCE PA Family Support Alliance