Mandatory Reporting Procedures for Behavioral Health Professionals

Overview:

While graduate level training programs in counseling, social work, psychology, and other behavioral health disciplines address the relevance of mandatory reporting, this program aims to further develop a clinician's mindset, practice, and expertise in how to deal with matters of reporting abuse.

Many practitioners are unsure of what truly constitutes abuse. Some wonder, "if a child I am seeing says they get a spanking when not doing what they are told, should I report that?" There can be gray area when it comes to reporting, even though reporting laws contain specific criteria under which it's important to make a report.

This training aims to clarify for the practicing clinician just what constitutes abuse, in addition to when and how it should be reported.

Participants are engaged in learning about abuses that need to be reported and will additionally hear statistics that will help them determine individualized assessment processes in line with their state's laws. Laws regarding reporting are explored along with guidelines on how each state may differ.

Following definitions, statistics and laws, the training jumps into actual reporting procedures. In this section, we will briefly discuss what steps to take when suspicion or disclosure of abuse occurs, when to get supervision around such an issue, and finally how to contact and ultimately make a report to authorities. Further instruction is provided on documentation of the incident.

Clinicians are often concerned about how to manage the client and their family when a report is made, including whether to tell some or all of the family that a report occurred. Participants will also learn what to do when the case is assigned and protective services become more involved.

In the summary of the program participants are encouraged to create individualized guidelines/procedures and appropriate agency/practice forms to assist with accurate documentation.

Why should you Attend: Behavioral health practitioners have great responsibility as mandatory reporters when working with their patients. Patient disclosures of certain kinds of abuse must be reported according to the laws in the state where you practice.

Often, mental health specialists are unaware of the necessary steps to take in order to both properly follow the letter of the law and do what's in the best interests of the patient.

Practitioners face serious penalties when failing to report,including heavy fines as well as possible incarceration.

Often providers are unsure about whether to make a report and subsequently fail to consult a supervisor,determining to err on waiting or choosing not to report,only to find themselves in trouble for failing to make a report.

Additionally, some providers who do report make clerical and/or administrative errors that can cause them problems after a report is made.

False reporting is also an issue and many states have false reporting laws that carry fines and possible incarceration as well. While false reporting is less frequent than failure to make a report, both circumstances carry very serious consequences.

This training helps the professional understand conditions under which it is appropriate to report, how to make a report, and how manage the patient and their family. Additionally, guidelines for accessing state laws to help guide procedures and information on proper documentation of reporting are included in the training.

Areas Covered in the Session:

• Introduction
  • What constitutes abuse?
  • Statistics about abuse and abuse reporting
  • Laws regarding reporting, and how states differ
• General reporting procedures
  • When disclosure occurs or suspicion arises
  • Getting Supervision
  • Making the call
  • Documentation
• Dealing with your client
  • Anonymity vs. Identification
  • Following up with report and client
  • Continuity of Care if Protective Services Involved
• Summary
  • Highest standard principle
  • Individualized or Agency Written Plans/Policies
  • (Q&A)

• Psychologists
• Professional Counselors
• Psychiatrists
• Social Workers
• Marriage & Family Therapists
• Any Behavioral Health Care Specialist