Making the Tough Call: Legal & Ethical Issues Related to the Decision to Report Suspected Child Maltreatment
Enroll in the Online Self-Study course and complete it at your own pace.
3 CE hours available for behavioral health clinicians upon completion.
When the well-being of a child is at stake, hesitation can carry enormous consequences—and so can a misstep. Behavioral health professionals often find themselves walking a legal and ethical tightrope when faced with suspected child maltreatment.
Understanding when and how to report is not just about compliance—it’s about protecting children while safeguarding therapeutic relationships and upholding professional integrity. This course is designed to give you confidence and clarity in some of the most complex moments of your clinical practice.
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$60
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Making the Tough Call: Legal & Ethical Issues Related to the Decision to Report Suspected Child Maltreatment
is part of the 5-course Mandated Reporter Training Certificate (MRTC).
Kathryn Krase, Ph.D., J.D., M.S.W., brings unmatched expertise to this topic. As the founder of Making the Tough Call and Principal Consultant at Krase Consulting, Dr. Krase has authored multiple books and articles on mandated reporting. Her real-world experience in consulting with government and community-based organizations provides participants with not only theoretical knowledge but also practical, actionable insight.
Dr. Krase takes a structured, yet compassionate approach to helping professionals navigate the legal, ethical, and emotional dimensions of reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. Through clear explanations, real-world case vignettes, and a decision-making framework, she equips clinicians with tools they can use in their daily work.
This course delves into the legal history and evolution of mandated reporting, current reporting laws across states, and the definitions and indicators of abuse, neglect, and maltreatment. You'll explore the complexities of cultural and systemic biases in reporting, learn to evaluate your responsibilities under the law, and gain clarity on how to approach difficult client conversations and documentation when a report is—or is not—required.
Instructor
Kathryn Krase, PhD, J.D., M.S.W., Principal Consultant with Krase Consultant and founder of Making the Tough Call, is an expert on the professional reporting of suspected child maltreatment. She has authored multiple books and articles on the subject. She has years of experience consulting with government and community-based organizations to develop policy & practice standards.
“Making the Tough Call” is a project of Krase Consulting. Kathryn S. Krase is the sole proprietor of both initiatives. Both Making the Tough Call and Krase Consulting are registered entities in New York State.
Key Takeaways:
Know when the law requires action: Gain clarity on how to determine when your legal duty to report has been triggered.
Navigate ethical gray areas: Explore how to balance client care, therapeutic rapport, and mandated responsibilities.
Implement a reporting framework: Apply a structured method to guide reporting decisions in clinical settings confidently.
Why this course?
Unparalleled expertise: Dr Krase is one of the foremost authorities on mandated reporting and has developed a proven framework trusted by agencies nationwide.
Real-world application: Learn through practical scenarios and tools you can immediately use in your practice.
Mission-driven education: Offered by the Telehealth Certification Institute, whose mission is to equip clinicians like you with exceptional training to deliver the highest quality care.
Learning Objectives:
Determine when making a report to child protective services is required by law.
Identify the ethical/ moral and legal conundrums faced when deciding to report.
Apply a framework to guide the process for deciding whether to make a report.
This is more than a legal primer—it’s a course that helps you rise to the moment when it matters most. Strengthen your confidence, sharpen your judgment, and prepare yourself to make the tough call when a child’s safety may depend on it.
Add this course to your cart to begin learning instantly.
This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 3 hours of video instruction and a post-test.
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Availability: From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.
Who Should Attend: This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.
Teaching Methods: This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.
How to attend: Directions for completing a course can be found by clicking here.
This program was recorded on December 16, 2022.
Testimonials
Bridgette Nalumu
Public health consultant, Green and Purple Consultancy Network
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