BBS- Child
Abuse Assessment & Reporting for Youth Professionals – 7 CAMFT
& BRN CE Credits
Training
Summary:
Mental health
professionals across various settings will likely encounter cases of
suspected child abuse or neglect. In California, clinicians are legally
mandated to report suspected child maltreatment, making a comprehensive
understanding of child abuse identification, assessment, and reporting
essential to fulfilling their ethical and legal responsibilities (Cho,
2017).
This course
provides a research-informed framework for recognizing and responding to child
abuse and neglect. Participants will explore theoretical foundations, assessment strategies, and evidence-based practices related to child
maltreatment. The training will cover the historical context of child abuse
laws (Albert, 1994), categories of abuse, mandated reporting procedures,
cultural considerations, and countertransference issues. Additionally,
clinicians will learn how to integrate trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate
approaches when supporting children and families
while maintaining their therapeutic role (California Department of
Education, n.d.).
By the end of
this course, participants will gain practical skills in identifying signs
of abuse, making informed reporting decisions, and implementing strategies that align with best practices in child welfare and mental health
treatment. This training ensures that clinicians can effectively balance their
role as mandated reporters while upholding therapeutic trust and client
safety.
Training Objectives:
By the end of
the training, participants will be able to...
- Recognize and define the four types of child
abuse—physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect—and
describe at least one example of each.
- Identify and explain two legal and ethical
considerations related to mandated reporting duties for suspected child
abuse and neglect.
- Demonstrate knowledge of two skills or procedures
that support children and families experiencing child abuse or
neglect.
- Describe at least two countertransferential responses
that may arise when working with child abuse cases and explain when and
how to seek professional support.
- Differentiate between general neglect and severe
neglect by listing at least two distinguishing characteristics of
each.
- Identify and summarize two evidence-based
practices for treating trauma related to abuse or neglect when working
with youth.
Trainer
Bio:
Skye Nashelsky,
LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist based in San Francisco with a
background in Women’s and Gender Studies. With over a decade of experience
serving foster and adoptive youth, caregivers, and families, as well as LGBTQIA
and trans-identified individuals, Skye is a dedicated advocate and educator in
the mental health field. As a therapist, Skye specializes in trauma-informed
care, supporting clients navigating trauma, anxiety, and depression. His
strength-based, affirming, and social justice-centered approach informs both
his work with youth and his training facilitation. In his private practice, he
helps clients cultivate self-love, boundary setting, and authenticity while
working toward deep personal healing.
With over 14
years of experience working with youth and families in foster care, social
services, and education, Skye Nashelsky, LMFT, brings a deep understanding of
child welfare systems and the responsibilities of mandated reporters. As a
licensed therapist, Skye has worked extensively with children, caregivers, and
professionals navigating the complexities of child abuse assessment
and reporting. Skye is a
foster-to-adopt parent, providing firsthand insight into the challenges and
nuances of identifying and responding to child maltreatment. Over the past five
years, Skye has developed and led multiple trainings on Child Abuse Assessment
and Reporting, equipping professionals with the legal knowledge and trauma-informed approaches necessary for effective and ethical
mandated reporting. Skye’s training ensures that clinicians and service
providers understand state and federal laws, recognize risk factors and
developmental considerations, and apply best practices in reporting suspected
abuse while maintaining therapeutic rapport.
This expertise makes Skye well-qualified to provide continuing
education to licensed mental health clinicians, helping them navigate legal and other responsibilities with confidence and care.
IMPORTANT
You must work with dependent (foster & probation) youth in Alameda, Contra Costa, or Solano County in order to attend our trainings. Trainings are free for those eligible to attend.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
Course meets the qualifications for 10 continuing education credits for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Seneca Family of Agencies is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. Seneca Family of Agencies maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. Provided by Seneca Family of Agencies, Provider #135057.
We are unable to provide certificates of completion if more than 15 minutes of each course content is missed.
See full Continuing Education (CE) information here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EwDiMO1rurdWG62QwDl9EZvlNebO_Z4x/view?usp=drive_link
TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR ATTENDING THIS TRAINING, THE FOLLOWING IS REQUIRED:
• You must check-in during the training to confirm your attendance via visual, verbal, or written roll-call.
• You must fully complete SENECA CAMFT evaluations, before leaving your training, with your full name legibly written.
CERTIFICATES
Completion Certificates can be obtained by emailing:
CERTIFICATES@senecacenter.org
REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY
All registered participants must cancel 48 hours in advance, if no longer
able to attend. Cancellation can be done electronically through
registration confirmation email or by calling:
Seneca Family of Agencies - Training Department at (510) 654-4004
Seneca Institute for Advanced Practice
8945 Golf Links Road, Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 654-4004 x2244
training@senecacenter.org
In accordance with California Civil Code Section 54.1 any disabled person who may require accommodations (transportation) to participate in any trainings or events, please contact the Training Department at 510-654-4004 OR training@senecacenter.org at least 5 days in advance of the event.
Trainings provided by Seneca Family of Agencies, in partnership with Chabot-Las Positas Community College District and the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano.
