HYA Volunteer Coaches,
State Law now requires volunteers who work with children to report suspected childabuse. This went into effect in the 2nd half of 2012. Each of us must complete the FREE online training course once to satisfy the law.
Upon completion please print out and sign your certificate and deliver it to your league rep and we will file them with the City of Milton.
The certificate for this training and your CoM background check must be completed by Feb 2nd!
Here is the information on the child protection training. The City of Milton Parks and Recreation Department is committed to making sure that every service provider who interacts with children is fully knowledgeable of their responsibilities under the law and that they have received the appropriate training.
Summary:
1)Every adult volunteer is now responsible, by law, to report suspected child abuse. Failure to report suspected child abuse is a misdemeanor and can result in fines and/or jail time.
2)The State of Georgia has funded an online training course that is free to all who take the course. It provides the appropriate training on identification of child abuse and proper reporting methodologies.
3)At the completion of the course, an opportunity is presented to create and print a certification of completion. A copy of that certification must be submitted through your organization to the City of Milton to the attention of Tom Gilliam.
4)This is a one-time requirement.
Details:
Attorney General Sam Olens is alerting Georgians that beginning July 1, 2012, volunteers who work with children will be required by law to report suspected child abuse. The new mandatory reporting requirement is a provision in HB 1176, the criminal justice reform bill signed by Governor Nathan Deal on May 2, 2012.
Specifically, HB 1176 changes the definition of "child service organization personnel" to include volunteers. The new law defines "child service organization personnel" as follows:
"Child service organization personnel" means persons employed by or volunteering at a business or an organization, whether public, private, for profit, not for profit, or voluntary, that provides care, treatment, education, training, supervision, coaching, counseling, recreational programs, or shelter to children.
"From an ethical and moral standpoint, volunteers who work with children already have an obligation to report suspected child abuse," said Olens. "HB 1176 simply makes this obligation a requirement by law."
Now, that the law is enforcing stern requirements, it is our task to get training out to the employees, volunteers, instructors, etc.
Course Information:
Here is the link to the online course. It is through a company called Pro Solutions Training. It is sponsored by the Governor's Office for Children and Families (GOCF), so it is free.
Click on the link below to start the training.
Once the link opens:
Click on Order Now
Click on Purchase Now (Mandated Reporters: Critical Links in Protecting Children in Georgia
Create a Training Account
Fill in the Required Information
Click on Create Account
Payment Information - There is no charge
Complete Form
Company Name:
Billing Address:
Click Continue
Click Complete Order
Print Out Your Order Number Sheet
Click on My Training Account
Begin the Training Module
The training module is easy to navigate. It states that it is 2 hours but it is actually closer to 30 – 40 minutes.
At the end of the training, return to your "My Training Account" screen.
Next to the course name, you'll see a link to "Take Test". When you are ready to take the Post-Test, click the link, read the instructions, and begin. Remember that you have two chances to pass the test with a score of at least 75%. If you need to review, click on the course name on your "My Training Account" screen to review course screens.
After passing the test, you will be able to print out a "Professional Development Certificate". Please make two copies, one for yourself and one for submission to the City of Milton Parks and Recreation Department. Please submit to you HYA League Rep.
This is a one time requirement, not an annual one like the background checks.