Mandated Reporters are required by law to report child abuse and/or neglect to a county or law enforcement. In addition, Mandated Reporters are required to report threats of school violence to law enforcement.
There is a system in place — child protective services and law enforcement agencies, tribal services, community treatment and support services, foster care and the court system — to intervene on behalf of children who may be abused or neglected and to secure their safety.
In order for this system to function, however, someone must first identify and refer the children who might be in need of protection. That is the role of mandated reporters.
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What is Required to Be Reported?
Wisconsin law (48.981(2)) requires that any mandated reporter who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child seen by the person in the course of professional duties has been abused or neglected, or who has reason to believe that a child seen by the person in the course of professional duties has been threatened with abuse or neglect and that abuse or neglect of the child will occur, make a report to county CPS or law enforcement. In addition, Wisconsin law (175.32) requires that any mandated reporter who believes in good faith, based on a threat made by an individual seen in the course of professional duties regarding violence in or targeted at a school, that there is a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a student or school employee or the public, make a report to law enforcement.
Who is Required to Report?
- Physician
- Coroner
- Medical examiner
- Nurse
- Dentist
- Chiropractor
- Optometrist
- Acupuncturist
- Any other medical or mental health professional
- Social worker
- Juvenile Correctional Officer
- Marriage and family therapist
- Professional counselor
- Public assistance worker
- Financial and employment planner employed by a Wisconsin Works agency
- Mediator providing family court services
- Alcohol or other drug abuse counselor
- School teacher
- School administrator
- School counselor
- Any other school employee
- Child care worker in a day care center
- Day care provider
- Child care worker in a group home or residential care center for children and youth
- Treatment staff employed by/under contract with a county human/social services department or county mental health AODA
- Treatment staff employed by/under contract with a county department providing mental health, AODA, or developmental disabilities services
- Treatment staff of a residential care center for children and youth
- Physical therapist
- Physical therapist assistant
- Occupational therapist
- Dietitian
- Speech-language pathologist
- Audiologist
- Emergency medical technician
- First responder
- Police or law enforcement officer
- Court appointed special advocate
- Member of the clergy
- Juvenile correctional officer
- University of Wisconsin System (UWS) Professors
- UWS Administrators
- UWS Coaches
- All other UWS Employees
What will I learn?
- My legal responsibilities as a mandated reporter
- The types of child abuse and neglect and their definitions
- How to recognize child abuse and neglect
- How and where to make a report
- What happens after you make a report
- The protections for a reporter under the law
How long will it take?
It should take most learners about 45 to 75 minutes to complete the core of the training. You have opportunities throughout the training to access additional useful information; this optional material will add to the training time.
At the end of the training you will have an opportunity to print a certificate of completion.
Does the training include audio?
Yes, this course contains audio content — please have your speakers or headphones ready.