Texas Mandatory Reporter Training

The purpose of this online course is to help all Texas Mandated Reporters understand their critical role in protecting children by recognizing and reporting child abuse.

Everyone who suspects child abuse or neglect should call the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Hotline to make a report, but Mandated Reporters are required by law to do so, with penalties for failure to do so ranging from fines and/or potential jail time.

In the state of Texas, professionals are required by law to report the Texas Family Code Statute § 261.101, which states that any person, agency, organization, or entity that knows or in good faith suspects child abuse or neglect shall make a report. For purposes of this section, ‘person’ shall include, but not be limited to: professionals who are licensed or certified by the State or who are employees of facilities licensed, certified, or operated by the State and who, in the normal course of official duties or duties for which licensure or certification is required, have direct contact with children. Professionals include the following: teachers or daycare employees, nurses, doctors, or employees of a clinic or healthcare facility that provides reproductive services, juvenile probation officers or juvenile detention or correctional officers.

Texas Family Code Statute § 261.101 states that unless waived in writing by the person making the report, the identity of an individual making a report is confidential and may be disclosed only; to a law enforcement officer for the purposes of conducting a criminal investigation of the report, or essential to the administration of justice and not likely to endanger the life or safety of a child who is the subject of the report, a person who made the report, or any other person who participates in an investigation of reported abuse or neglect.

TAP Series' Mandatory Reporter course is quick, simple, and low cost. There is no need to gather a group or go to a classroom. The self-paced course allows you to train on your schedule from home or the office and on a PC, tablet, or mobile phone and quickly annually re-enroll. TAP Series' Mandatory Reporter course meets Texas Fam. Code Statute § 261.101 regulations.

This Training Includes:

1. A pre-training assessment
2. 60-90 minutes of self-paced interactive training
3. A post-training assessment
4. A Certificate of Completion

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify who is a Mandatory Reporter
• Understand your role as a Mandatory Reporter
• Identifying caregivers
• Understand how to report
• Define and identify the signs and symptoms of various types of child abuse