Establishing Minimum Training Standards
Training should be used to increase knowledge and awareness of child abuse prevention, to teach staff about responding to children who disclose…
Home / Reporting / Who Are Mandated Reporters?
Massachusetts law defines a number of professionals as mandated reporters (for the full list, see MGL Chapter 119, Section 51A).
*As of Jan 1, 2020
Note that the list of mandated reporters above identifies professionals and other paid staff employed by certain organizations in a variety of roles. However, there is nothing in the law that prevents anyone from making a report. So even if you don’t employ mandated reporters, your policies and procedures should acknowledge the role of statutorily mandated reporters as a model for all staff and volunteers to follow. You should also convey the expectation that all staff and volunteers who interact directly with children/youth are required to report any suspected child abuse or neglect, or any situations involving inappropriate activity with a child/youth, and will be trained in the procedures to do so. You’ll find more details on training structures and programs in Training.
It’s also recommended that your Code of Conduct includes the requirement for all staff and volunteers to follow the reporting laws of the Commonwealth and the organization, and that their signature acknowledges that they understand the penalties if they fail to do so—up to and including dismissal. Non-mandated reporters are protected by law in the same way as mandated reporters.
Training
Training should be used to increase knowledge and awareness of child abuse prevention, to teach staff about responding to children who disclose…
Reporting
Sometimes, a child/youth might self-disclose an abusive situation to an adult in your organization. These disclosures can be direct, where the child…
Screening & Hiring
Start with Basic Screening It is very important that all applicants who provide direct services and who are seeking positions of trust—either…
Safe Environments
Safe Environments should be created by having clear sight lines, proper staff-to-child ratios, and safety standards for all personnel and…
Screening & Hiring
Your Youth-Serving Organization’s (YSO’s) hiring process should include basic screening measures for potential staff and volunteers through…
Training
The approaches in the chart below can provide frameworks that make your organization most effective when training adults and/or children/youth….
Monitoring Behavior
Your Youth-Serving Organization (YSO) should develop a protocol to keep staff and volunteers accountable for their behaviors. Identify the…
Training
Training Contractors, Consultants, and Interns When it comes to training your contractors, consultants, and interns, there is certain core…
Code of Conduct
Your Code of Conduct is an essential tool to help you ensure the safety of the children and youth in your care, and prevent child sexual abuse.
Screening & Hiring
A personal interview provides an opportunity for you to meet applicants and determine if they are a good fit for your organization. It’s also a …
Customized child sexual abuse prevention guidelines to meet the unique needs of any organization that serves children.
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