Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Council of Bartholomew County, Columbus, Indiana

CAP Council's in-service training workshops for parents, professionals and volunteers can be adapted to suit the allotted time and audience level of knowledge or expertise. For more information on the training classes and the current schedule, contact CAP Council at (812) 314-2949.

"Recognizing Child Abuse"

"Reporting Rights and Responsibilities"

This program will describe who is legally required to report, who is permitted to report, and the forms of reportable child abuse and neglect (including child endangerment). It will also examine the criminal and civil penalties for failing to report and describe the legal protections for those who report.

"Is it Physical Abuse?"

This program will define physical abuse, explain how to distinguish "reasonable" corporal punishment from physical abuse, provide guidelines for identifying "suspicious" injuries (and the battered child syndrome), and provide guidelines for using behavioral indicators.

"Is it Sexual Abuse?"

This program will define sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, sensitize participants to the special problems that arise in such cases, and provide guidelines for assessing the statements of children and for using the physical and behavioral indicators of sexual abuse.

"Is is Physical Neglect?"

This program will define physical neglect and medical neglect, sensitize participants to the need to distinguish physical neglect from poverty, and describe the indicators of physical neglect (including physical deprivation and dirty and disordered households).

Audience

The program targets individuals who see children who may be abused or neglected, including professionals who are legally mandated to report suspected cases and those who train them. The programs are designed for both:

1. mandated professional reporters and others who report suspected child abuse and neglect,
2. child protective and child welfare workers who must investigate and handle reported cases.

They will also be appropriate as pre-service and in-service training for child protective and child welfare workers. Mandated professional reporters include physicians, nurses, emergency room personnel, coroners and medical examiners, dentists, mental health professionals, social workers, teachers and other school officials, day care or child care workers, and law enforcement officers. In some states, those required to report suspected abuse includes pharmacists, foster parents, clergy, attorneys, day care licensing inspectors, film or photo processors, substance abuse counselors, children's camp counselors and staff.

Recommended Textbook

The textbook for the video training conferences is Recognizing Child Abuse: A Guide for the Concerned (the Free Press, 1990), written by the trainer, Douglas Besharov. The textbook is used and referred to throughout the videoconferences in lieu of other handouts and materials. Although the textbook is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended and required for those individuals planning to register to receive CEU certificates. Discounts are available for orders of multiple copies. For more information, call (202) 862-4879.

Continuing Education Certificates

The Maryland School of Public Affairs offers certificates of continuing education to all individuals who complete the training course and pass relevant tests. These certificates are recognized by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners and the Maryland State Department of Education. Certificates have been recognized by comparable agencies in most other states. Please check with your licensing agency to determine if they will recognize these CEUs.

To receive certificates, participants are required to register online at the Welfare Reform Academy's website. For CEU's, participants must: (1) take a pretest; (2) read the course textbook Recognizing Child Abuse: A Guide for the Concerned; (3) view a live or videotaped version of the conference; and (4) pass a post conference test. Tests may be taken online and certificates will be mailed upon passing the post-conference test. There is a $50 fee for the CEU certificate, or $210 for all sessions, which includes a copy of the textbook (paid via a secure credit card transaction).

Additional

• Foster parents may attend free and will receive CEU's from the Bartholomew County Office of Families and Children.
• Certificates of Attendance will be given to all registered participants.
• Participants may register for individual sessions or for all four sessions.

In-service and Workshop Training

"The 'Good Enough' Parent"

Parents don't have to be perfect but they do need to provide certain essentials for their children. What are the basic ingredients necessary for a successful parent/child relationship? A 1-2 hour workshop for parents of toddlers or young children. Certificates of Attendance available.

"Recognizing and Helping Maltreated and Traumatized Children"

General signs, physical, emotional & parental indicators of maltreatment and guidelines for working with traumatized children. A one hour workshop for teachers, OFC workers, foster parents, shelter workers, law enforcement officers, any front line workers who see children daily.

Shaken Baby Prevention

This training is available for parents and caregivers, as well as for adolescents. Participants will learn to define and recognize the causes of Shaken Infant Syndrome, to identify those at risk of shaking a baby and to understand the physical injuries associated with Shaken Infant Syndrome. Ways to help parents and others cope with the frustration of caring for a crying child, ways to cope with anger and stress and tips for calming a fussy baby are offered. Additional information is presented on ways to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), safe sleeping for babies and general infant safety tips.