Every day, behavioral health professionals are faced with decisions that could shape a child’s future—but what if making the “right” call risks reinforcing systemic injustice? This course challenges clinicians to consider not just whether to report suspected maltreatment, but how to do so ethically in a system rife with racial and social inequities.
In a world where ethics and legality often collide, this training equips you with tools to navigate the tension between professional duty and moral responsibility. If you’ve ever hesitated before picking up the phone to call CPS, this course offers clarity, insight, and a new lens to guide your next steps.
Dr Kathryn Krase, PhD, J.D., M.S.W., is a nationally recognized authority on mandated reporting and child welfare policy. A lawyer, social worker, and educator, Dr Krase brings decades of experience in research, training, and consulting for government and community organizations. Her scholarship and advocacy focus on reforming the systems that disproportionately harm families of color—and she’s uniquely positioned to lead clinicians through the complex landscape of ethical reporting.
In this self-paced course, Dr. Krase takes a research-driven yet highly personal approach, empowering clinicians to understand how both personal identity and systemic structures influence decisions around mandated reporting. With warmth and clarity, she explores tough questions without prescribing easy answers, offering instead a framework that supports both justice and professional accountability.
Participants will examine the evolution of mandated reporting laws, the ethical principles behind them, and how these laws have led to racially disproportionate outcomes. The course unpacks racial bias in report substantiation, the intersection of poverty and visibility bias, the legacy of child welfare systems, and macro- to micro-level factors that shape reporting decisions. Clinicians will also explore their own professional autonomy and develop practical strategies for “just” reporting that balances ethical, legal, and social justice considerations.
Key Takeaways:
Clarify ethical and legal tensions: Understand the historical roots of mandated reporting and the ethical principles that often conflict with current laws.
Recognize systemic bias: Learn how racial disproportionality in child welfare reporting impacts your role as a clinician.
Apply justice-oriented frameworks: Gain tools to make informed, ethical decisions when considering a report to CPS.
Why this course?
Relevant and courageous content: Few CE courses address the racial and ethical dimensions of mandated reporting head-on—this one does.
Expert-led and evidence-based: Dr. Krase draws from deep academic and real-world expertise to deliver grounded, actionable insights.
Mission-aligned with your values: Telehealth Certification Institute equips clinicians to deliver high-quality, justice-informed care—because ethics and effectiveness go hand in hand.
Learning Objectives:
Explain the competing ethical and legal principles at play in the development of mandated reporting laws over time.
Explain the contributing factors related to racial disproportionality in the child welfare system.
Identify ethical/ moral and legal conundrums faced when making the decision to report.
Apply a framework to guide the process for considering racial and social justice when determining whether they are required to make a report to child protective services.
This course is a vital resource for behavioral health clinicians committed to ethical care, social justice, and systemic change. Let this be the course that transforms not only how you report—but how you lead, advocate, and serve.
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This is a non-interactive self-study course. Instruction consists of 2 hours of video instruction and a post-test.
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: Instructions for attending and completing a course can be found here.
Kathryn Krase, Ph.D., J.D., M.S.W
Kathryn Krase, Ph.D., 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.
Disclosure Statement: The instructor(s) for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.
Credit Hours: This course consists of 2 ethics continuing education hours of credit.
Counselors:
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Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.
Marriage and Family Therapists: Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations. You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.
Social Workers:
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Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2 ethics continuing education credits.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.
Addiction Professionals:
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This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
Psychologists:
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Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.
Art Therapists: Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.
Other Professionals: This course qualifies for 180 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.
This is a non-interactive, self-study course.
