Mandatory Reporting: Child and Dependent Adult Abuse

This 2 hour program provides health care personnel who are mandatory reporters for dependent adult and child abuse with information on the following content areas: Iowa law, probable reasons, recognition, and reporting process.

According to the code of Iowa, any person who believes that a child or dependent adult has suffered abuse may report the suspected abuse to the Department of Human Services. But the nature of certain people’s jobs requires them by law to report suspected abuse. These are mandatory reporters.

This course fulfills the first requirement for mandatory reporters — obtaining two hours of training relating to the identification and reporting of child and dependent adult abuse within six months of initial employment or self- employment. Thereafter, you must complete at least two hours of additional child and dependent adult abuse training every five years.

The Regional Health Education Center received approval from the Iowa Department of Public Health Mandatory Abuse Reporting Review Committee in March 2002, 2005, and 2008. This program meets the criteria established by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

• Health practitioners
• Staff of health facilities
• Social workers
• Psychologists
• Mental health professionals
• Staff of day care centers, supervised apartments, sheltered workshops, etc.
• School employees
• Peace officers
• Outreach persons
• Staff of substance abuse programs, juvenile shelters, and licensed foster care facilities
• Employees of institutions operated by DHS
• DHS income maintenance workers
• Certified adoption investigators
• Clergy (not mandatory reporter unless functioning as a social worker or counselor)

0.2 CEUs for Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses (IBON #3); 2.0 CEUs for Certified Medical Assistants; 2.0 FE CEHs for EMS Personnel

Other healthcare personnel will receive a certificate reflecting 2.0 contact hours for successfully completing this course.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Iowa Medical Society (IMS) through the joint sponsorship of Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa and North Iowa Area Community College. The Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa is accredited by the Iowa Medical Society (IMS) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This program has been granted prior approval by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) for 2 continuing education units. Granting approval in no way constitutes endorsement by the AAMA of neither the program content nor the program’s sponsor.

The Regional Health Education Center is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Accredited Provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Registered Dietitians (RDs) and dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs) will receive 2 continuing professional education units (CPEUs) for completion of this program/material.

NIACC is:

• Iowa Board of Nursing approved provider for continuing education for licensed nursing personnel and has been issued Provider No. 3.
• A State Department of Health Emergency Medical Services approved sponsor of continuing education programs for Basic and Advanced EMS personnel.

1. Identify the purposes of Iowa Code related to child and dependent adult abuse.
2. Explain the history of the recognition and legal recourse of child and dependent adult abuse.
3. State the incidence of child and dependent adult abuse.
4. Define the following terms: child, child abuse, dependent adult, dependent adult abuse, responsible caretaker, community based, facility, and program.
5. Discuss possible reasons child and dependent adult abuse occurs.
6. List and define the classifications of child and dependent adult abuse in Iowa.
7. Describe how to recognize child and dependent adult abuse in the various classifications.
8. Describe why there may be a reluctance or failure to report child and dependent adult abuse.
9. Describe a typical dependent adult who is abused in Iowa.
10. List incidences which are not considered dependent adult abuse.
11. Describe reporters of child and dependent adult abuse.
12. State educational requirements for mandatory reporters.
13. Explain legal considerations of reporters.
14. Describe the steps of reporting suspected abuse.
15. Discuss the evaluation process conducted by the Department of Human Services.
16. Discuss the role, responsibilities, and purpose of the Department of Human Service, Department of Inspections and Appeals, Department of Aging, and the County Attorney.

Linda Webner, RN, Paramedic Specialist, BSHCA, MS

• Education:
• St. Luke’s School of Nursing, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Registered nurse
• St. Joseph’s College in Windham, Maine: Bachelor of Science Health Care Administration
• Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa; Master of Science Adult Education
• Previous staff position in rural acute care hospital and as a school nurse.
• Member of a local volunteer ambulance that provides pre-hospital care for ill and/or injured.
• Instructs EMS initial courses (First Responder, EMT-B, EMT-I, EMT-P, and Nurse Challenge courses), various continuing education classes for healthcare professionals, ACLS, PEPP, AMLS, BLS, and first aid classes to community and business groups.
• Responsible for coordinating, teaching, and testing emergency medical services courses and continuing education programs for First Responder, Emergency Medical Technicians – Basic, Emergency Medical Technicians – Intermediate, and Emergency Medical Technicians – Paramedic, and nurses, as well as Nurse Aide Courses.