Child Abuse in an Educational Setting Training Requirements
The chart below outlines the requirements for training and resources on child abuse in an educational setting, as detailed in the Commissioner’s regulations (8 CRR-NY §100.2(hh)(2)).
Further information is provided in the subsequent sections.
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| Written Statement about Child Abuse in an Educational Setting Reporting Process | Provided by schools annually to outline the reporting process of Article 23-B of the Education Law |
| Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment Training | Two hours of training from a NYSED-approved provider, required for all teachers, administrators, and school bus drivers within 30 days of employment |
| Child Abuse in an Educational Setting Training | Implemented by schools on an ongoing basis to review the indicators of child abuse and reporting requirements of child abuse in an educational setting |
Written Statement About Reporting Process
- Schools are required each year to provide all school officials with a written statement about how to report child abuse in an educational setting, including relevant immunity clauses (§3028-b, 1126).
Annual Child Abuse and Maltreatment Training Required for Employment
- All teachers, administrators, and school bus drivers employed on or after July 1, 2019 by a school other than a school district or public school are required to complete two hours of coursework regarding the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment. This training must be completed within 30 days of employment, and can be obtained from a NYS Department of Education-approved provider.
- The NYS Department of Education is authorized to request records of training completion and may publish a list of any individuals or schools who are not in compliance. This training requirement does not apply to those already required to complete comparable coursework or training.
- This training covers the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment more broadly, not solely incidents within an educational setting. For more information on this requirement, contact the Office of Teaching Initiatives.
Ongoing Child Abuse in an Educational Setting Training
- All schools are required to implement, on an ongoing basis, training on the process of reporting child abuse in an educational setting. Training is required for the following individuals:
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- Training must focus on the identification and reporting of child abuse in an educational setting, including but not limited to the following topics outlined in Article 23-B of the Education Law:
- The duties of employees (§1126), school administrators and superintendents (§1128, 1128-a) when they receive an allegation of child abuse in an educational setting, including when and how a report must be made
- All relevant policies including confidentiality of records (§1127), penalties for failure to report and comply (§1129), and unreported resignations or voluntary suspensions (§1133)
- Notification by a district attorney and the actions taken upon criminal conviction of a licensed or certified school employee (§1130, 1131)
- The physical and behavioral indicators of child abuse and maltreatment
- The statutory requirements for reporting child abuse and maltreatment set forth in Social Services Law §413-420, including when and how a report must be made, what other actions the reporter is mandated or authorized to take, the legal protections afforded reporters, and the consequences of failing to report.