A Framework for Mandated Reporting for Substance-Related Parental Abuse and Neglect
/exam_format/a-framework-for-mandated-reporting-sub-related-child-abuse-source-1CE.pdf
Course Description: Clinicians who treat patients with substance use disorder (SUD) frequently face difficult decisions about their mandated reporting obligations when a patients substance use raises concerns about child safety. This course provides a review of the legal landscape governing mandated reporting for postnatal parental substance use across all 51 U.S. jurisdictions, drawing on Dernbach and Appels 2025 survey of statutes, regulations, and child protective services guidelines.
The course examines areas of legal obligation, areas open to clinical interpretation, and the many circumstances that current statutes fail to address. A practical clinical decision-making framework is presented to guide clinicians through the complex ethical, legal, and clinical cost-benefit analysis required when determining whether to make a report to child protective services (CPS).
Psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, drug and alcohol counselors, marriage and family therapists, and other licensed or certified behavioral health professionals can benefit from this course. This course is appropriate for intermediate and advanced-level practitioners who require continuing education for license renewal.
*** These materials are presented for continuing education purposes. They do not constitute clinical or legal advice. Clinicians should consult applicable state statutes, professional ethics codes, and legal counsel as needed when making mandated reporting decisions.***
Authors: Dernbach, M. R., & Appel, J. M.
Learning Objectives: This course will provide professionals with detailed information about mandated reporting for substance-related parental abuse and neglect and a clinical framework for making CPS reporting decisions. Specifically, after completing this course the practitioner will:
1. Identify the legal standards that govern mandated reporting for postnatal parental substance use, including the reasonable suspicion standard.
2. Describe the clinical, ethical, and child welfare outcomes associated with CPS reporting, including the risks and benefits of reporting for both the child and the parent with SUD.
3. Apply the clinical decision-making framework proposed by Dernbach and Appel to determine whether a CPS report is required, potentially required, or not required in a given clinical scenario.
Citation: Dernbach, M. R., & Appel, J. M. (2025). A framework for mandated reporting for substance-related parental abuse and neglect. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 53(4), 377–391. https://doi.org/10.29158/JAAPL.250059-25
This course content is based on a publication that has been peer-reviewed, the scientific standard for evaluating academic work. All studies and scientifically derived evidence have limitations that should be considered. If you have any questions about the accuracy or limitations of the content, please contact us at
support@ce-classes.com and we will get back to you.
This Ce-Classes.com course is approved for CE credit by:
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- The American Psychological Association (APA) Ce-Classes.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Ce-Classes.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
- Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Ce-Classes.com, Provider #1142, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Ce-Classes.com maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval Period: 1/5/2029
Social workers participating in this course will receive 1 Clinical continuing education clock hours.- The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Ce-Classes.com has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6320. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Ce-Classes.com is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
- California Board of Behavioral Sciences. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences, BBS, recognizes relevant course work/training that has been approved by nationally recognized certifying bodies, such as APA, to satisfy renewal requirements.
- California Board of Registered Nursing. CEP 15647 Expires 11/30/2026.
- California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP) Provider Number 231
- California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) Provider Number OS-12-174-0627 Expires 6-2027
- Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling Provider #852 BAP-Expires 3/31/2027
- Florida Board of Nursing (CE Provider #: 50-4896) Expires 10/31/2028 Do not send certificates to the Florida Board of Nursing. You must keep this certificate for 4 years.
- Florida Certification Board
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia (ADACBGA) Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia (ADACBGA) Provider number# 16-04-05-626
- Illinois – CE-Classes.com is a registered social work CE sponsor by the State of Illinois. License 159.001607 Expires 11/30/2027
- Massachusetts Authorization Number: 3551%2Fa-framework-for-mandated-reporting-for-substance-related-parental-abuse-and-neglect
- New York Mental Health Practitioners Board CE-Classes.com, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Departments State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0260.
- New York Psychology Board CE-Classes.com, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Departments State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0211
- New York Social Work Board – Ce-Classes.com is recognized by the New York State Education
Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of
continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0120.
- Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board – Approval from a state licensing board for counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists is accepted by the OH CSWMFTB.
- Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure (LPCs, LMFTs and LBCs)
- South Carolina – CE-Classes.com is approved by the S.C. Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapist, Addiction Counselors, and Psycho-Educational Specialists (#4696).
- Texas Board of Marriage & Family Therapists CE-Classes.com meets the requirements for acceptable continuing education. Effective 1/1/24, at least half of the 30 hours must be obtained from a provider listed in 801.261(f). This course meets that requirement.
- Texas Board of Professional Counselors – CE-Classes.com meets the requirements for acceptable continuing education. Effective 1/1/24, at least half of the 30 hours must be obtained from a provider listed in 801.261(f). This course meets that requirement.
- Texas Board of Social Work Examiners – CE-Classes.com meets the requirements for acceptable continuing education. Effective 1/1/24, at least half of the 30 hours must be obtained from a provider listed in 801.261(f). This course meets that requirement.
