Understand the Basics of Clergy Mandated Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse & Neglect 1.5 hours
Now On Demand – Register Below
Cost: $50 (Video Conference via Zoom.)
Learning Objectives:
This seminar is a pastoral guide to understanding clergy mandated reporting of suspected child* abuse and neglect in your state. (Upon registration, you will identify which state you minister in.) It will describe basic definitions of abuse (e.g., sexual, physical, emotional abuse, & neglect). It will train pastors how to recognize possible signs of abuse or neglect, and will discuss ‘reasonable suspicion’ of abuse that requires pastors to make a report. We will discuss the ethical and moral mandate to protect children, as well as the legal requirements in your state for clergy to do so. This will include appropriate authorities to contact in your jurisdiction, the means and time-sensitivity of making a report, and the legal penalties for failure for mandated reporters to make an abuse report. (*This course does not include a clergy’s mandate to report suspected abuse or neglect of vulnerable/dependent adults or elders – that is a separate course.)
Intended audience: Pastors (ordained or licensed church leaders)
About the instructor:
Melissa Hofstetter, PhD, MDiv is an ordained Mennonite minister, having served as district elder in the Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference. She is also a licensed clinical psychologist (CA, PSY25696; AZ #4125). She is the founder of Shepherd Heart. Dr. Hofstetter has been a seminary instructor in Pastoral Counseling & Congregational Health, and served as adjunct professor in the doctoral and undergraduate psychology departments at Azusa Pacific University, teaching courses in Neuroscience, Adult Development, Family Systems, Cognition, General Psychology, Personality.
Disclaimer:
This seminar is for educational purposes only, and is not a substitute in any way for consultation with an attorney. Dr. Hofstetter is not a lawyer and does not give legal advice of any kind. This seminar is not a psychological service. Appropriate referrals to lawyers or clinicians may be offered. You are expected to keep the identities of parishioners and others confidential. Do not share their identifying information in the course of this seminar. Please note that Dr. Hofstetter is a mandated reporter of suspected abuse and neglect of children, dependent adults, and elders.
Cost: $50 per participant
(Group Discount of 10 or more: $30/participant)