Mandated Reporting in Clinical Practice

In-person only

6 CEUs

This workshop satisfies three hours of the ethics requirement for social workers and clinical psychologists, and the mandated reporting requirement for mental health professionals.

This workshop will address issues implicated in the mandated reporting obligations that are imposed on mental health professionals in Illinois by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and the Adult Protective Services Act.

Mental health professionals consider protecting confidentiality of information disclosed by patients to be one of their most important obligations. In some cases it is evident that breaking confidentiality is legally required. Some circumstances, however, are unclear and pose ethical challenges for the professional involved. Proper procedures for record keeping will also be discussed.

Goals and Objectives

At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Identify indicators for recognizing abuse and neglect of children and adults as defined by Illinois law
  • Describe the process for reporting suspected abuse and neglect of children and adults as required by Illinois law and the required documentation
  • Understand the responses of child and adult protective services and the role of the reporter once a call has been made

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Instructor: Helene Snyder

Helene M. Snyder is a graduate of the University of Chicago Law School and has a background in both private practice and public interest law, including two years as a guardian ad litem with the Cook County Office of the Public Guardian representing children in abuse and neglect proceedings and supervising courtroom attorneys. Ms. Snyder’s legal practice has included the representation of children as their court-appointed attorney in custody and visitation cases and both parents and foster parents in abuse, neglect, custody, and visitation cases. She has also advised mental health professionals on confidentiality, mandated reporting, and other legal issues. Ms. Snyder has conducted workshops for mental health professionals and other service providers on family law, mandated reporting, confidentiality and juvenile law.

Mask optional. This convening is open to all invitees who are compliant with UChicago vaccination requirements and, because of ongoing health risks, particularly to the unvaccinated, participants are expected to adopt the risk mitigation measures (masking and social distancing, etc.) appropriate to their vaccination status as advised by public health officials or to their individual vulnerabilities as advised by a medical professional. Public convening may not be safe for all and carries a risk for contracting COVID-19, particularly for those unvaccinated. Participants will not know the vaccination status of others and should follow appropriate risk mitigation measures.

If you have any questions about access or to request a reasonable accommodation that will facilitate your full participation in this event such as ASL interpreting, captioned videos, Braille or electronic text, food options for individuals with dietary restrictions, etc. please contact the event organizer.