Each year, caring and concerned people throughout Pennsylvania report over 20,000 cases of suspected child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services. This tremendous community response comes from friends, neighbors and relatives, but more often from those who work with children. You make it possible for the system to respond to children in need and for abused children and their families to receive help.

The decision to report child abuse is a difficult one. Support and adequate information make any task easier. Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance offers a variety training opportunities, resources and publications to help you decide what situations should be reported and how you should report them.

• Several changes to the Child Protective Services Law (Act 179) were signed into law by Gov. Rendell (pdf document)
• I would like to participate in the Penn State Suspicion Project that measures professionals’ understanding of what constitutes “reasonable suspicion” of child abuse (dowload the survey)
• What's New? ("Because They Need You" - A Mandated Reporter's Guide to Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse)
• How do I make a report?
• I'm looking for a copy of the form CY-47 - Report of Suspected Child Abuse. (.pdf)
• I need to develop a child abuse reporting policy for our organization (.pdf)
• Sample Cooperative Agreement for Schools and local Children and Youth agencies
• What are some of the indicators of child abuse?
• Our staff would like training on recognizing, responding to, and reporting child abuse or neglect.
• Maybe you have been asked this before…(Frequently asked questions and answers). (.pdf)
• Does Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance Mandated Reporter Training really work? Review a Summary Report reflecting results of a comprehensive program evaluation. (.pdf)
• I am looking for some training and informational resources.
• I would like to test my knowledge (practice scenarios).
• I am a training instructor. I am looking for training resources.

“We have used the information we received on at least three reporting incidents since the training; having the right tools made a huge difference; we received an immediate response.” - Director of Student Services, Springfield School District

“I found it very important to have Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance conduct this training. Often times, the staff has questions that can't be addressed by school personnel. This training gave us the answers to some very important questions.” -Counselor, Cornwall Intermediate School

“A seminar on this is what every educator should be in-serviced on so that knowledge overtakes guesswork on this important issue.” Teacher, Valley View School District

"The training assisted us in developing our own safe church policy and critically looking at our programming and facility for possible 'danger spots.'” Director of Children's Ministries, Grove Presbyterian Church

“I appreciate all of the useful information I thought I knew but I was wrong.” Teacher - Nazareth Area School District

“Lately, there has been better communication with county Children and Youth Services. We are establishing relationships to work as a team for the good of the child.” - Instructional Support/Student Assistance Coordinator, Harmony Area School District