Early Intervention Training Program at the University of Illinois

Below you will find resources related to mandated reporting.  Resources include an online training, information about what to report and where to call in Illinois, and legislation related to child abuse and neglect.

Click on the following to move to that section of this page:

• Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Training for Mandated Reporters
• What to Report and Where to Call in Illinois
• EITP online module "Beyond Mandated Reporting..."
• Physical Abuse and Neglect
• Sexuality and Sexual Abuse
• Trauma
• Prevention
• Resiliency and Protective Factors
• Child Advocacy Centers
• Legislation related to Child Abuse and Neglect

Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Training for Mandated Reporters

This site includes a 60-90 minute self-paced online course designed to help all Illinois Mandated Reporters understand their role in protecting children. Also included are FAQ's, required reporting forms and additional resources.

Documents related to training (PDF downloads):

• List of our Myth busters
• List of Reporter Tips
• Mandated Reporter Manual
• Flowchart
• The Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act
• Disclosure Tip Sheet
• Training Website References
• Mandated Reporter Checklist
• Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA)What to Report and Where to Call in Illinois

What to Report and Who to Call in Illinois

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) provides resources that answers such questions as "When should I call the hotline?", "What happens when I call the hotline?", "How am I protected?" and "How else can I help?". 

• Reporting Child Abuse FAQ from Illinois DCFS
• Illinois DCFS Library – includes reports, newsletters and many resources

EITP Online Module "Beyond Mandated Reporting: Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse"

The Early Intervention Training Program in collaboration with the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center has released an online module entitled: Beyond Mandated Reporting: Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse.  This in-depth module provides the following:

• Comprehensive information on how to recognize abuse and neglect, and what to do if you suspect abuse.  
• Invaluable resources for anyone working with young children and their families.  
• Approved credit for early intervention

Physical Abuse and Neglect

• Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect from Illinois DCFS has information on promoting protective factors and tip sheets from Preventing Child Maltreatment and Promoting Well-Being: A Network for Action 2013 Resource guide to download in English and Spanish
• “Recognizing When a Child’s Injury or Illness is Caused by Abuse” (PDF) - A portable guide to determine if a child’s injury/illness is due to abuse from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
• “The Science of Neglect” from Harvard University Center on the Developing Child (VIDEO and PDF)
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) section on Child Abuse and Neglect
• U.S. Child Welfare Information Gateway reviews risk, identification of abuse, caregiver protective factors, and current statistics, including a section around Child Abuse and Neglect.

Sexuality and Sexual Abuse

• Children's Sexuality Development and Behaviors
• Warning Signs and Definition from Stop It Now
• Sexual Abuse and Children with Disabilities

Trauma

• Recognize Trauma
• Look Through Their Eyes (Illinois Children's Trauma Coalition)
• Toxic Stress section of Harvard University Center on the Developing Child (excellent resource on defining, understanding and dealing with toxic stress in Early Childhood)
• Information from Professional Organizations:
  • American Psychological Association results on Childhood Trauma
  • Articles for Caregivers and Professionals on Trauma and PTSD from the Child Trauma Academy
  • Resources for Parents and Caregivers from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
  • Information on trauma and violence from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  • National Council for Behavioral Health
    • Trauma Informed Care
    • How to Manage Trauma (PDF)

Prevention

• Prevent Child Abuse America provides leadership to promote the prevention of child abuse and neglect at both the national and local levels. Information is also available in Spanish.
• Resources from the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center on physical and sexual abuse, as well as trainings, e-publications and information on internet safety
• Child Help is a national organization providing statistics and programs on child abuse prevention
• Sexual Abuse Prevention
  • Darkness to Light (D2L)
  • Mama Bear Effect
  • Stop It Now
  • Enough Abuse 

Resiliency and Protective Factors

• Protective Factors to Promote Well-Being includes publications and policy center information for protecting children (Child Welfare Information Gateway).
• The Children’s Resilience Initiative™ (CRI) is working to increase the positive, resilience-building experiences in the lives of the children, parents and families in our community.  This site includes information on "Resilience Trumps ACEs", and through this website you will learn how resilience can help to overcome adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). 
• Sesame Street’s Little Children, Big Challenges initiative provides tips and strategies to help adults and children (ages 2 to 5) navigate challenges and build lifelong skills for resilience.
• “Child Abuse: What Every Parent Should Know” from HealthyChildren.org

Child Advocacy Centers

• Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center
• National Children’s Alliance
• National Children’s Advocacy Center

Legislation related to Child Abuse and Neglect

• Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974 (CAPTA) (PL 108-36, Amended Jun 2003), sets forth a minimum definition of child abuse and neglect and establishes the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, mandates Child Welfare Information Gateway, identifies the Federal role in supporting research, evaluation, technical assistance, and data collection activities, and provides Federal funding to States in support of prevention, assessment, investigation, prosecution, and treatment activities.
• Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA) (325 ILCS 5/, Amended Dec 2007), is designed to protect the health, safety, and best interests of Illinois children in all situations in which the child is vulnerable to child abuse and neglect.
• Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act (PA 94-941, Amended Jun 2006), provides a mechanism for in infants in Illinois to be relinquished into a safe haven.