Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia has updated our “Making a Difference: Mandate to Report, Responsibility to Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect” Curriculum. The updated curriculum incorporates additional information regarding distinguishing between poverty and neglect, addressing bias for mandated reporters, and ways to offer support to families in addition to how to make a report to the CPS hotline. The “Making a Difference” curriculum helps mandated reporters and those who work with children and families:

• Understand when you are legally required to call CPS, including when it is more appropriate to refer for community-based services
• Reduce bias in the decision-making process
• Foster a greater understanding of the impact of trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs)
• Foster a greater understanding of protective factors and supports you can refer families to in lieu of making a report to CPS.

This training is open to anyone who is a mandated reporter.