Coloradans whose profession requires them by law to report suspected child abuse — from firefighters to registered dieticians to veterinarians — now can take an online training course, state officials announced Thursday.
Workers in nearly 40 professions must report suspected child abuse or neglect under Colorado law. These include teachers, doctors and law-enforcement officers, as well as animal control officers and psychotherapists.
A recent state child-welfare department survey found that 79 percent of so-called “mandatory reporters” knew they were required to report abuse or neglect. But half of them could not remember if they had ever received training about where or how.
The is one of several child-welfare reforms put in place in the last two years. Colorado also is revamping its reporting system with a statewide hotline and improved training for workers who screen abuse and neglect calls, as well as a public service campaign.
About 2,000 people already have taken the mandatory reporter training, but there are tens of thousands of mandatory reporters in Colorado. Mandatory reporters who complete the online training will receive a certificate to share with their employers.
“Keeping kids safe isn’t just government’s responsibility. It is a shared responsibility for all of us,” said Reggie Bicha, executive director of the Colorado Department of Human Services.
In Colorado, about 10 percent of calls to report child abuse come from mandatory reporters. The rest are from other members of the public.
Many of the child welfare reforms follow a 2012 that found 40 percent of kids who die of abuse and neglect in this state had caregivers who were known to child-protection workers before their deaths.
“We have a commitment and duty to protect our most precious resource,” Gov. John Hickenlooper said.
The state partnered with The Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect to develop the web-based training, which instructs professionals about what constitutes abuse and neglect and where to report suspicions.
Jennifer Brown: 303-954-1593, jenbrown@denverpost.com or twitter.com/jbrowndpost
Are you a mandatory reporter?
Physician or surgeon, including a physician in training
Child health associate
Medical examiner or coroner
Dentist
Osteopath
Optometrist
Chiropractor
Podiatrist
Registered nurse or licensed practical nurse
Hospital personnel
Christian science practitioner
Public or private school official or employee
Social workers, child-care providers and child-care employees
Mental health professional
Dental hygienist
Psychologist
Physical therapist
Veterinarian
Peace officer
Pharmacist
Commercial film and photographic print processor
Firefighter
Victim’s advocate
Licensed professional counselors
Licensed marriage and family therapists
Registered psychotherapists
Clergy member
Registered dietitian
Worker in the state department of human services
Juvenile parole and probation officers
Child and family investigators
Officers and agents of the state bureau of animal protection, and animal control officers
Child protection ombudsman
Teachers
Director, coach, assistant coach, or athletic program personnel employed by a private sports organization or program.
Psychologists, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselor candidates
Emergency medical service providers
