PDE Act 126 Professional Development

Presented by Safe Schools Office-PDETo PAPSA on April 18, 2013

1,016 cases of physical injury to children from birth to age 17 were substantiated

20 cases of mental injury to children from birth to age 17 were substantiated

2,691 cases of sexual abuse to children from birth to age 17 were substantiated

150 cases of neglect of children from birth to age 17 were substantiated.

2011Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Annual Child Abuse Report

Amended June 6,2012 In effect January 2,2013Requirements of the Act: All school entities must train their employees on how

to recognize and report child abuse and sexual misconduct

All school entities must train their employees on how to maintain professional relationships

All school entities must familiarize their employees on their policies and practices related to the above.

All school entities must familiarize their employees with provisions of the Professional Educator Misconduct Act and its reporting requirements

Provisions of the Act

Training RequirementsMinimum of 3 hours of training/5yrsIndependent providersProfessionals can receive credit toward

continuing ed. requirement.Training providers for Act 48 continuing

education credit must be approved by PDE and Dept. of Pubic Welfare

PDE recommendation: initial training be completed by 12/31/13.

Provisions of Act 126 : Training

Professional employees of a school entity:◦ Classroom teachers◦ Administrators◦ Nurses◦ Guidance counselors◦ Therapists

Noncertified employees of a school entity:◦ Bus drivers◦ Custodial staff◦ Cafeteria staff◦ Maintenance staff

All employees of an independent contractor or a school entity:o Physical/speech/occupational therapistso Bus drivers◦ Summer workers- if sustained contact with students

Who Must Be Trained

All employees of a school entity:◦public schools ◦charter schools ◦cyber charter schools ◦private schools ◦nonpublic schools ◦intermediate units ◦ area vocational-technical school, who have direct

contact with children.

How is a school entity defined under the Act?

Direct contact with children is defined as “the possibility of care, supervision, guidance or control of children or routine interaction with children.”

How is Direct Contact Defined?

Volunteers Student Teachers Volunteers and student teachers are NOT

specifically addressed in the Act as required to receive Act 126 training.*

*PDE recommends that school entities check with their solicitor regarding these groups as they are treated similar to employees in other sections of the Public School Code of 1949.

Gray Area of Training

Recognition of the signs of abuse, as defined in the Child Protective Services Law;

Recognition of the signs of sexual misconduct, as defined in this Act;

Reporting requirements for suspected abuse and sexual misconduct in the Commonwealth, including those set forth in the Child Protective Services Act and the Professional Educator Discipline Act;

Provisions of the Professional Educator Discipline Act (24 P.S. §2070.1a et seq.), including mandatory reporting requirements;

School entity's policies related to reporting of suspected abuse and sexual misconduct; AND

Maintenance of professional and appropriate relationships with students.

What topics must be included in the training?

Sexual misconduct" – Any act, including, but not limited to, any verbal, nonverbal, written or electronic communication or physical activity, directed toward or with a child or student that is designed to establish a romantic or sexual relationship with the child or student.

Such acts include, but are not limited to: (1) Sexual or romantic invitation. (2) Dating or soliciting dates. (3) Engaging in sexualized or romantic dialog. (4) Making sexually suggestive comments. (5) Self-disclosure or physical exposure of a sexual, romantic or

erotic nature. (6) Any sexual, indecent, romantic or erotic contact with the

child or student. 

Definition of Sexual Misconduct

School entities have choices when it comes to training their employees:1. They can train their employees using their

own training model without PDE approval IF they do not award Act 48 credit

2. If they want to award act 48 credit, they can submit their training model to PDE for review and approval

3. They can choose a PDE approved provider AND award Act 48 credit

Training

PDE Approved Act 48 Providers PA Family Support Alliance (FSA)

717-238-0937 PA Coalition Against Rape

717-728-9740 Adams County Children's Advocacy Center

717-337-9888 PA Chapter of Pediatrics--for medical

personnel only ED Training Center-877-844-0713

Prospective Providers

Thank you!

Dr. Joe Loccisanojloccisano@pa.gov

717-346-4253

Questions?