Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training
Foster parents are mandatory reporters of child abuse. As mandatory reporters, foster parents are required to take Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training. At least two hours of Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training must be taken within one year of initial licensing and every five years thereafter.
Foster Parent Approved Mandatory Reporter Trainings:
Option 1: IFAPA Training Class
Cost: Free
IFAPA does not have any Mandatory Reporter classes offered at this time.
Option 2: Support Groups Trainings
Cost: Free
Support groups may also offer the approved Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training class. Visit the Support Group Training page on our website to see if there is a class being offered by a local support group.
Option 3: Online Courses (NOT Connected with IFAPA)
Cost: $16.95 per person or Free
The Iowa Department of Public Health has approved two online Mandatory Reporter Training classes for foster parents. IFAPA promotes these online classes as an additional resource for foster parents; however, they are not connected to IFAPA. To learn more about these two online classes, visit the Other Trainings page. (NOTE: IFAPA will NOT be able to help resolve any issues with this online course since it is not connected to or operated by IFAPA. Please be sure to contact the organization responsible for that online course, if you have any questions or issues.)
Frequently Asked Questions:
If I cannot take the online Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training, where else can I find this class?
There is no centralized list of when or where this course is being offered around the state. Sometimes local community colleges, hospitals, DHS or Area Education Agencies offer this course. Just make sure the course being offered is an “approved curriculum” by the Iowa Department of Public Health. (see last question for more on).
If a class is titled Mandatory Child Abuse and Adult Dependent Abuse Reporter Training, does that count toward my training requirement?
Not necessarily. Foster parent licensure requires that you have 2 hours of CHILD related content, and some classes that offer a mix of child/adult dependent only offer 1 hour of child related content (and 1 hour of adult dependent content), and therefore, would NOT qualify to meet your foster parent training requirements. If the title says “Mandatory CHILD ABUSE Reporter Training,” and is at least 2 hours long, it will meet the requirements for your licensure. (note – the course must be an approved curriculum by the Iowa Department of Public Health. See last question for more on).
Can I take this course online to meet my licensure requirements?
Yes, you can take this course online and meet your licensure requirements, however, it must be an approved curriculum by the Iowa Department of Public Health, and offering 2 hours of credit specific to CHILD abuse reporting. (See last question for more info).
How do I know if a class is “an approved curriculum” by the Iowa Department of Public Health?
The provider of the training should know this, when you register for the training. You can also check for the list of approved curriculum on the website of the Iowa Department of Public Health. Please log onto their website at www.idph.state.ia.us. Once there, click on “A-Z services” and then click on “Abuse Education Review Panel.” As you scroll down on this page, there is a link for “Approved Curricula” and this link specifies whether a course is Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training, or Mandatory Child/Dependent Adult Abuse Training, or Mandatory Adult Dependent Abuse Training. And remember, the only training you can take toward licensure requirements is a training that is 2 hours of Child Abuse content.
