FCC Case Study: Part 4

Family Child Care Child Abuse: Identification & Reporting Lesson 4 Explore FCC Case Study: Part 4 Reflection Required	WWW.VIRTUALLABSCHOOL.ORG ACTIVITY ID: 19681 Name Certifier Date
You have learned a lot in the past few lessons about Kate and her family. Take some time to reflect on all of their experiences. Answer the questions and compare your responses to the suggested answers. The suggested answers will provide additional information that will help recognize the emotions associated with reporting possible child abuse or neglect. When you are finished, share your responses with your trainer, coach, or FCC coordinator. As a family child care provider, it is important for you to know that Kate’s family child care provider did everything she could to protect Kate. What can you do to make sure you do your part to keep children safe? First, communication is critical. Child abuse and neglect is complicated. Often, there are many witnesses across many different locations. Each witness only has one tiny piece of information. It can be very challenging to put all of the pieces together. Our systems must be designed to help collect information and make accurate decisions. Work closely with the Family Advocacy Program to provide information you have. Learn about resources in your community and on your installation. Second, education is critical. At several stages in Kate’s story, experts misinterpreted Kate’s injuries or the family’s needs. Again, child abuse is complicated, and a false accusation can have serious repercussions, so experts are naturally hesitant. When multiple signs point to child abuse or neglect, though, our systems should be able to recognize a pattern and provide the family with preventive supports. Third, resources and protective factors are critical. Kate’s family clearly needed support. At the earliest signs of violence, a community support network (mental health support, violence prevention) should have been put in place for Kate and her family. Take these stories as a clear message that we must all work together to protect children. We each play a role, and we must do our jobs well. Your job is to report your suspicions. You must trust that everyone else does their jobs well, too. Talk to your coach or training and curriculum specialist about Family Advocacy Programs. Know who your FAP teams are and talk to them about the work they do and how they can support your work Imagine Kate were a child in your family child care home. Describe your emotions the first time you notice the scars on Kate’s arms and make your first report. You might feel nervous, scared, or angry. You might feel embarrassed that you hadn’t noticed the older scars before. You might feel doubtful that it is abuse Describe your emotions when Kate is withdrawn from your care. You might feel disappointed or angry. You might feel scared for Kate’s safety. You might feel embarrassed, ashamed, or remorseful if someone shares with you that the doctor said it was not abuse. But remember you did the right thing. You should feel proud for speaking up for Kate. Describe your emotions when you know that the Family Advocacy Program, Child Protective Services and law enforcement are involved in Kate’s story. You might feel relieved that Kate’s parents are getting the help they need. You might feel reassured that Kate is safe. You might also feel a strong need to know more about the follow-up Kate is receiving, but confidentiality laws will prevent you from getting more information. This might feel frustrating, but it is important to respect the privacy of families. Now imagine that a fellow provider was struggling with the emotions after making a report. Without breaching confidentiality, what would you say? How would you support them? What do you think they might need? It is important to listen and not breach confidentiality. Let the provider talk about their feelings without revealing any facts about the report. When they are ready, make sure they know that they have done the right thing by making reports. Encourage them to consider counseling if the stress of the situation is challenging.

Reflection

Required

WWW.VIRTUALLABSCHOOL.ORG

ACTIVITY ID: 19681

Name

Certifier

Date

You have learned a lot in the past few lessons about Kate and her family. Take some time to reflect on all of their experiences. Answer the questions and compare your responses to the suggested answers. The suggested answers will provide additional information that will help recognize the emotions associated with reporting possible child abuse or neglect. When you are finished, share your responses with your trainer, coach, or FCC coordinator.

As a family child care provider, it is important for you to know that Kate’s family child care provider did everything she could to protect Kate. What can you do to make sure you do your part to keep children safe?
First, communication is critical. Child abuse and neglect is complicated. Often, there are many witnesses across many different locations. Each witness only has one tiny piece of information. It can be very challenging to put all of the pieces together. Our systems must be designed to help collect information and make accurate decisions. Work closely with the Family Advocacy Program to provide information you have. Learn about resources in your community and on your installation.
Second, education is critical. At several stages in Kate’s story, experts misinterpreted Kate’s injuries or the family’s needs. Again, child abuse is complicated, and a false accusation can have serious repercussions, so experts are naturally hesitant. When multiple signs point to child abuse or neglect, though, our systems should be able to recognize a pattern and provide the family with preventive supports.
Third, resources and protective factors are critical. Kate’s family clearly needed support. At the earliest signs of violence, a community support network (mental health support, violence prevention) should have been put in place for Kate and her family.
Take these stories as a clear message that we must all work together to protect children. We each play a role, and we must do our jobs well. Your job is to report your suspicions. You must trust that everyone else does their jobs well, too. Talk to your coach or training and curriculum specialist about Family Advocacy Programs. Know who your FAP teams are and talk to them about the work they do and how they can support your work
Imagine Kate were a child in your family child care home. Describe your emotions the first time you notice the scars on Kate’s arms and make your first report.
You might feel nervous, scared, or angry. You might feel embarrassed that you hadn’t noticed the older scars before. You might feel doubtful that it is abuse
Describe your emotions when Kate is withdrawn from your care.
You might feel disappointed or angry. You might feel scared for Kate’s safety. You might feel embarrassed, ashamed, or remorseful if someone shares with you that the doctor said it was not abuse. But remember you did the right thing. You should feel proud for speaking up for Kate.
Describe your emotions when you know that the Family Advocacy Program, Child Protective Services and law enforcement are involved in Kate’s story.
You might feel relieved that Kate’s parents are getting the help they need. You might feel reassured that Kate is safe. You might also feel a strong need to know more about the follow-up Kate is receiving, but confidentiality laws will prevent you from getting more information. This might feel frustrating, but it is important to respect the privacy of families.
Now imagine that a fellow provider was struggling with the emotions after making a report. Without breaching confidentiality, what would you say? How would you support them? What do you think they might need?
It is important to listen and not breach confidentiality. Let the provider talk about their feelings without revealing any facts about the report. When they are ready, make sure they know that they have done the right thing by making reports. Encourage them to consider counseling if the stress of the situation is challenging.

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