Training on Identification of Child Abuse and Neglect

This page provides resources that address training curricula and materials to help child welfare and related professionals identify child abuse and neglect. Resources include information on signs and symptoms, medical evaluation, and identifying abuse within different ethnic groups and with children with developmental disabilities.  

Child Abuse Prevention, Identification, and Reporting
Virtual Lab School
Offers a training course designed for teachers about how to identify child abuse, strengthen families, and report suspected abuse and neglect.

Child Physical Abuse
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Provides a series of seven presentations about assessment, engagement, and interventions for families who are suspected of or have experienced child physical abuse. Registration is required to access these resources.

Child Sexual Abuse 101
National Child Advocacy Center
Examines sexual abuse dynamics; the disclosure process; how trauma affects brain development and results in life-long challenges; how perpetrators groom children, families, and the community; and how to listen and help a child who discloses. Register to access this free course.

Child Welfare Professionals
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Provides tools and materials for building skills and knowledge on childhood trauma to help child welfare staff respond to the needs of the children.

Child Welfare Training Collaborative
Georgia Commission on Family Violence
Offers training to community partners in Georgia to ensure they have a shared understanding of child welfare issues. It also is in place to strengthen collaborations within the community to promote better outcomes for children and families.

Foundations of Pennsylvania Child Welfare Practice: Building Competence, Confidence, and Compassion
University of Pittsburg, School of Social Work
Provides team-based training that aligns with child welfare practice competencies with the intention of child welfare professionals being able to apply newly learn tactics to their caseload.

Law Enforcement’s Initial Response to Child Maltreatment
National Child Advocacy Center
Informs responding patrol officers who are not specialized child abuse investigators on how to skillfully gather crucial information from a child and ensure the child is safe. Register to access this free course.

Preventing Child Neglect Online Training Toolkit 1: Explore the Basics
National Child Abuse and Neglect Technical Assistance and Strategic Dissemination Center, Children’s Bureau (2017)
View Abstract and Document
Guides users through a training designed to define and increase the understanding of child neglect, including its causes and potential protective factors, among multiple audiences.

Preventing Child Neglect Online Training Toolkit 2: Fact or Fiction
National Child Abuse and Neglect Technical Assistance and Strategic Dissemination Center, Children’s Bureau (2017)
View Abstract and Document
Debunks common myths and misunderstandings associated with child neglect and includes information on how to gauge its severity and associated risk factors.

Preventing Child Neglect Online Training Toolkit 3: Everyone’s Responsibility
National Child Abuse and Neglect Technical Assistance and Strategic Dissemination Center, Children’s Bureau (2017)
View Abstract and Document
Presents six protective factors and personalized steps to support individuals in recognizing and implementing methods for preventing child neglect.

Preventing Child Neglect Online Training Toolkit 4: What We All Can Do
National Child Abuse and Neglect Technical Assistance and Strategic Dissemination Center, Children’s Bureau (2017)
View Abstract and Document
Discusses individual-, family-, community-, and society-level methods for reducing the prevalence of child neglect.

Reporting Suspected Abuse or Neglect of a Child: A Guide for Professionals
Texas Department of Family Services
Provides general Texas specific information and instructions for mandated reporters who would like to learn about identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.

Sentinel Injuries in Child Physical Abuse
National Child Advocacy Center
Discusses strategies to improve detection of child physical abuse, and review the literature on sentinel injuries and the increased death and injury associated with reoccurring physical abuse. Register to access this free course. 

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