Sadly, we all need to know what being a mandated reporter means for us.  We also need to know the laws in our state and the policies of our companies. 

NAEYC Code of Ethics:

P-1.8—We shall be familiar with the risk factors for and

symptoms of child abuse and neglect, including

physical, sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse and

physical, emotional, educational, and medical neglect.

We shall know and follow state laws and community

procedures that protect children against abuse and

neglect.

P-1.9—When we have reasonable cause to suspect child

abuse or neglect, we shall report it to the appropriate

community agency and follow up to ensure that

appropriate action has been taken. When appropriate,

parents or guardians will be informed that the referral

will be or has been made.

P-1.10—When another person tells us of his or her

suspicion that a child is being abused or neglected, we

shall assist that person in taking appropriate action in

order to protect the child.

P-1.11—When we become aware of a practice or situation

that endangers the health, safety, or well-being of

children, we have an ethical responsibility to protect

children or inform parents and/or others who can.

     It is not enough to just tell a supervisor.  If you are the one who suspects or sees signs that there may possibly be abuse, then YOU have the responsibility to act on it.  Teachers and aides do not "get off the hook" by telling management.  We all have the duty to report, as mandated reporters.
     As hard as it is, we also need to let parents know that a report is being made (when appropriate).

     As an Early Childhood Administrator, staff will often come to you because of problems that they have with other staff.  As the person in charge, my natural instinct is to resolve the matter.  However, I must always remind myself to ask first if they have discussed this with their co-worker.  We all deserve the professional courtesy to have a chance to try to work things out with our co-worker, before management is brought in.  This is also an ethical manner. 

NAEYC Code of Ethics:

P-3A.2—When we have concerns about the professional

behavior of a co-worker, we shall first let that person

know of our concern in a way that shows respect for

personal dignity and for the diversity to be found

among staff members, and then attempt to resolve the

matter collegially and in a confidential manner.

Resources

Part 1: Position Statements and Influential Practices
 •NAEYC. (2009). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/dap
 •NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on child abuse prevention. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/ChildAbuseStand.pdf
 •NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on school readiness. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/Readiness.pdf
 •NAEYC. (2009). Where we stand on responding to linguistic and cultural diversity. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/diversity.pdf
 •NAEYC. (2003). Early childhood curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation: Building an effective, accountable system in programs for children birth through age 8. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/pscape.pdf
 •NAEYC. (2009, April). Early childhood inclusion: A summary. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_ECSummary_A.pdf
 •Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families. (2010). Infant-toddler policy agenda. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_pub_infanttodller
 •FPG Child Development Institute. (2006, September). Evidence-based practice empowers early childhood professionals and families. (FPG Snapshot, No. 33). Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://community.fpg.unc.edu/sites/community.fpg.unc.edu/files/imce/documents/FPG_Snapshot_N33_EvidenceBasedPractice_09-2006.pdf
 •Turnbull, A., Zuna, N., Hong, J. Y., Hu, X., Kyzar, K., Obremski, S., et al. (2010). Knowledge-to-action guides. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(3), 42-53.
 Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Part 2: Global Support for Children's Rights and Well-Being
 •Article: UNICEF (n.d.). Fact sheet: A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved May 26, 2010, from http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf
 •Websites:
 ◦World Forum Foundation
http://worldforumfoundation.org/wf/wp/about-us
 This link connects you to the mission statement of this organization. Make sure to watch the media segment on this webpage
 ◦World Organization for Early Childhood Education
http://www.omep-usnc.org/
 Read about OMEP's mission.
 ◦Association for Childhood Education International
http://acei.org/
 Click on "Mission/Vision" and "Guiding Principles and Beliefs" and read these statements.

Note: Explore the resources in Parts 3 and 4 in preparation for this week's Application assignment.

Part 3: Selected Early Childhood Organizations
 •National Association for the Education of Young Children
http://www.naeyc.org/
 •The Division for Early Childhood
http://www.dec-sped.org/
 •Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
http://www.zerotothree.org/
 •WESTED
http://www.wested.org/cs/we/print/docs/we/home.htm
 •Harvard Education Letter
http://www.hepg.org/hel/topic/85
 •FPG Child Development Institute
http://www.fpg.unc.edu/
 •Administration for Children and Families Headstart's National Research Conference
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/hsrc/
 •HighScope
http://www.highscope.org/
 •Children's Defense Fund
http://www.childrensdefense.org/
 •Center for Child Care Workforce
http://www.ccw.org/
 •Council for Exceptional Children
http://www.cec.sped.org/
 •Institute for Women's Policy Research
http://www.iwpr.org/
 •National Center for Research on Early Childhood Education
http://www.ncrece.org/wordpress/
 •National Child Care Association
http://www.nccanet.org/
 •National Institute for Early Education Research
http://nieer.org/
 •Pre[K]Now
http://www.pewstates.org/projects/pre-k-now-328067
 •Voices for America's Children
http://www.voices.org/
 •The Erikson Institute
http://www.erikson.edu/



Additional Resources

http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/standards/hspps

http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2005/09/head-start-founder-urie-bronfenbrenner-dies-88

http://www.cdacouncil.org/resource-center/early-childhood-organizations