Learning the Signs of Child Abuse Training - Essay Example

Learning the Signs of Child Abuse Training Needs Assessment The XYZ company has requested a workshop to help their organization better identify the signs of abuse in children. The XYZ Company is a fairly new organization that helps families find alternative sources for work. Many of these families have workers that are disabled and some are ex-offenders. They all come in with a variety of skills from various other jobs but they have not found work. The company is helping them find alternatives by helping them set up small businesses. Within the last month several children have come into the facility with their parents with bruising that did not seem to staff to be the "usual scrapes and hurts" that children usually expose themselves too and a few of the children who used to be very happy, seem very sad. The parents explanations were suspect and some of the staff is wondering whether these children are being abused in some way. The staff is not trained in diagnosing child abuse and the CEO feels that it is important for them to understand the warning signs and what to do when they see something that looks suspicious. The CEO does not want to put the staff or the families into a panic, but they want to make sure that the children and families receive help where necessary. I first passed out questionnaires to the staff to find out the level of knowledge they had currently. I wanted to understand any myths they had about it and I needed to determine what type of training was needed to fit their needs. I also held individual and group interviews with the permission of the CEO. This allowed me to assess what each individual was hoping to learn from the training and how it would best fit into this particular environment. I gathered all this information together and it was clear that the staff needed a basic understanding of how to identify the signs of child abuse and what to do about it. All of the interviews and questionnaires basically came to this conclusion. I suggested to the CEO that we create a workshop that provides this information in an interactive format. We will create handouts hat explain the basic information and then use case studies created from actual situations the staff has seen that we will discuss during the workshop. Target Market The target market for this workshop is the staff and volunteers for XYZ Company. The staff and volunteers create a diverse group in ethnicity, gender and age. The target group is between ages of 27 and 65. They are primarily Caucasian and Hispanic, with a few Asian and African Americans on staff. Through the interviews I was able to get an understanding of many attitudes, some of which are based on cultural norms. Many of these issues will have to be addressed during training in a positive way. Many people expressed a sense of disgust at the thought that a parent would abuse a child. They were more appalled at the thought of sexual abuse than of physical abuse. Diversity The members of the group are diverse in ethnicity, age, gender (more females than males) and culture. Currently there are no adults with physical disabilities. During the interviews with the group it was my goal to begin to build a rapport so that when we got into the training situation they would feel comfortable with me as the trainer. I found that for the most part everyone wanted the same goals, but some of the "Christians" expressed that they thought anyone who abused their child should "burn in hell." Some of the staff let that learning about these issues were not within the scope of their job because "this is none of our business." This is difficult for me because these attitudes seem judgmental to me but I believe that these attitudes can be detrimental to the people they are working with in the organization; I have expressed this opinion to the CEO. As a trainer it is my job to be aware of these attitudes and find ways to make the entire group think about different peoples attitudes, without focusing in on any major one. I will also have to make sure that we do not get bogged down as a group on one of these tangents. This is the only major roadblock I can see at this time. The approximate number of participants is 45 so I will provide small cards with stickers on them to break into small groups later. This will make the process go quickly. Participants will receive the cards as they enter the training room in the beginning of the workshop. Accommodations I think the best way to approach this training for everyone is to do the following: 1. Be flexible -- There are several different age groups that are taking the training at one time and staying flexible will help me deal with any surprises that may come up. I will also need to watch the group energy to see when it is time to move from one activity to the next. 2. Small groups -- It will be a good idea to keep such a large group involved in small group activities. They will more likely talk to each other in a small group than in the larger one. This will also help to engage all the age groups. The older veterans will need to understand how the entire training fits into the good of the company. 3. Materials -- It will be a good idea to have handouts and mix activities for the group between lecture, small group, and looking at handouts. It may be a good idea to have a PowerPoint presentation for visual learners. Trainer Attitudes Toward Group I have learned through my different experiences with training that you cannot change how people think but you can expose them to more information. I have a bit of a challenge when I see biased attitudes towards different people and I will have to be wary of this in the group. My goal is to make sure that people get the information they need. I can see I will have to be very flexible and stay on target. Evaluation Tool Directions: Please answer the following questions True or False by circling T or F. d. My responsibilities if I see a child that I suspect is a victim of child abuse it to tell my supervisor. They will contact the proper authorities. T F e. Any person who takes care of a child, who inflicts injury on a child, is considered to be a person who abused the child. T F f. Child abuse is only defined as physical abuse. T F g. Children in the United States are more likely to be abused in their homes than on the streets. T F h. I should report all child abuse that I see to the police. They will take it from there. T F i. A child is only considered sexually abused if they are over the age of 18. T F j. Children rarely make up stories about sexual abuse. T. F. k. The majority of people who abuse children, according to gender, are male. T F l. Many people who abuse children would be considered normal by their family, friends or co-workers. T F m. Statistically speaking, 1 in every 5 girls and 1 in every 10 boys will be sexually molested before the age of 21. T F Answers: 1. False. Each agency must have a policy of how they will report child abuse and they must inform the entire staff. If they are counselors, psychologists or other healthcare professionals, they may have a "mandatory reporting" clause based in their profession. State laws about reporting should also be checked. 2. False. A childs caregiver, custodian or caretaker has to either inflict or allow to be inflicted a serious, non-accidental physical injury on a child and this is usually specific to a residential setting. If someone suspects that a coach, teacher or other part-time caretaker is being abusive to a child, they must contact the police. 3. False. There are four basic types of child abuse: physical, sexual, and emotional and neglect. 4. True. Statistics show this to be true. 5. False. The proper authorities to report child abuse to when it is a family is the Department of Human Services. If you see abuse outside of a home, then you should report it to the police. 6. False. Most incarcerated sex offenders have said that two thirds of those they sexually assaulted were under the age of 18; many are under the age of six. 7. True. If you think about it, most children do not have the words to describe child abuse unless it happened to them. 8. True. Generally speaking, men abuse children more than women. 9. True. No matter what type of abuse it is, most people will say that the individual was a nice person and never caused any problems. They will appear like a normal family. 10. True. This information is proven statistically. Source for questions: I took several questions from around the Internet that were FAQ for different programs. Some specifically came from Safe Horizons after taking their online quiz. They can be found at http://getinvolved.safehorizon.org/site/PageServer?pagename=child_abuse_quiz_answers Instructional Plan Title: Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse Course Description: To provide participants with the tools and information they need to carefully identify and report child abuse. To help them understand why people abuse children and what techniques can be used to assist them in getting treatment. Learning Outcomes: Participants will learn how to … Identify the signs of child abuse, primarily in physical, sexual and neglect. Identify the symptoms of child abuse. Identify the steps in reporting child abuse. Begin to create a system of reporting that works within their departments. How to make a written report (preliminary notes) How to inform parents about the signs and symptoms of child abuse Length: This program is to be a one hour program. Format/Methodology: This workshop will be interactive and will include small group activities, case studies, group discussions a short assessment and lecturettes. The case studies and group activities will be directly related to situations within the XYZ Company. Audience: For all employees working with families who directly manage the small business opportunities; any other employees that the CEO thinks should be present. Participant Preparation: All participants will be asked to complete an individual and group interview about what they intend to learn from the workshop and what they know so far. The information from these interviews will be used to customize the workshop for small group and large group activities and case studies. Instructional Materials and Aids a. Document list Handouts for each participant that are simple and easy to read Customized case studies based on participant feedback. Assessments -- pre, middle, and post tests b. Equipment list Flip Chart VCR and Monitor Computer hookup for Power Point presentation c. Media List: Short video or DVD (need to check on this and see if I can use vignettes from a couple of different ones. Need to check on this one). 9. Reference List: Leverich, Jean.(editor). Child Abuse. Illinois: Thomson/Gale 2006. Gerdes, Louise I. (editor). Child Abuse: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2003. Giardino, Angelo P. and Giardino, Eileen R. (editors). Recognition of child abuse for the mandated reporter. St. Louis, Mo. : G. W. Medical Pub., 2002. Online Tennyson Center for Children: http://www.childabuse.org/ Medline Plus "Child Abuse" http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ childabuse.html. Kidscape. Child Abuse: Signs and Symptoms http://www.kidscape.org.uk/professionals/childabuse.shtml Helpguide.org. Child Abuse and Neglect:Types, Signs, Symptoms, Causes and Getting Help. http://www.helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm 11. Facility Check off List: Tables -- would like 10 tables with seats for five people each. Chairs enough for 50 participants Facilitator --water and glass, extension cord, course materials, markers for flip charge, PowerPoint presentation in media format. Video if decide to use. Participants -- sticker cards, water and glasses, candy, tent cards, folders and pens. Break table: Coffee, tea, soft drinks, bottled water, Danish, fruit Case Study Example Mary is a four-year-old child who attends Carebear Daycare. Mary is usually a very pleasant child who is filled with energy. Lately she is acting very withdrawn, and doesn’t want to be around the other children. Mary’s parents are going through a divorce. She is living with her mother, but visits her father on weekends. Mary was happy to visit her father at first, but lately she seems to be afraid of him. When he comes to pick her up on Fridays she ignores his presence and continues to play. Mary has complained of frequent stomachaches, and doesn’t like to use the bathroom because she says it hurts. The other day she came in with a large bruise on her leg, but mom said she fell while at dad’s house. You have become very concerned about Mary. What are you going to do? Source: Dune Brook: Prevent Child Abuse http://www.dunebrook.org/lessons/understanding_abuse.html Read More