Child Abuse and Neglect

Getting Started

Jump to the Online Mandated Reporter Module   

Click the links below to navigate to different sections of this page:

• About Child Abuse and Neglect
• Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect Training for School Employees
• Training Materials (Hold a Local In-Service Training or Online Learning Module)
• Mandated Reporting of Threats of School Violence

About Child Abuse and Neglect

Child abuse, neglect, and exploitation pose a serious public health problem. Not only do they threaten a child’s immediate safety, but, depending on a number of factors, they can have long-term physical, psychological, or behavioral impacts.

• The DCF Child Welfare Reports and Dashboards is a resource for those interested in learning more about child welfare data in Wisconsin. Resources include both interactive visual dashboards and static data reports. Topics include Child Protective Services (CPS) Reports and more.
• ​​​​​Child Welfare Information Gateway is a connection to trusted national resources on the child welfare continuum. They provide publications, research, and learning tools selected by experts to support thriving children, youth, families, and communities.

Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect Training for School Employees

Through a collaborative process, in 2025 the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) released an updated training for school staff as mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect.

To provide clarity for staff on some main information for reporters, we are providing a handout on an Overview of Key Information. Additionally, for school leaders and interested parties, we are providing a document outlining the reasons for the changes and an administrator guide for implementing training for employees.

• Overview of Key Information for School Staff as Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect
• Background on Revisions to the Training Content for School Staff as Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect
• Administrator Implementation Guide for Training School Staff as Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect

Training Materials

OPTION 1 - Hold a Local In-Service Training

Provide staff with local in-service training, preferably in partnership with local child welfare professionals when they have capacity to do so.

Facilitator Training Package

Master Slide Deck

Facilitator Implementation Guide

• Facilitator Resource: Script
• Facilitator Resource: Additional Resources by Section
• Facilitator Resource: Optional Additional Examples for Discussion
• YouTube Video Playlist by Section

OPTION 2 - Online Learning Module (Click the button below to begin)

Employees, please read the following before you begin the training:

Confirmation of Training

• Where do you need to send it? Make sure you know where to send your confirmation email (for example, to a supervisor, a principal, or human resources in your district.) Your school should provide instructions for where to send this email.
• Keep a copy - Keep a copy of your confirmation email as proof of training completion. Note: School staff will need to retake the training upon starting employment in a new school district or private school, in accordance with local policies regardless of last completion date.
• Do not send to DPI - DPI is not responsible for maintaining records of course completion. This responsibility lies with the school and individual employee. Do not send your confirmation email to DPI.
• Have not received your confirmation email yet? If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, please do the following:
  • Confirm you have fully responded to the questions in the “Email Confirmation” section at the end of the module to receive the email notification. If not, re-open the module from the same browser and device used to complete your training to resubmit the form.
  • Check spam/junk email folders.
  • Ensure all email addresses are spelled correctly.

Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect Training for All School Employees (Online Learning Module) 

Optional Modules for Further Learning

Reporting Child Sex Trafficking Using the Indicator and Response Guide

This module is to assist school employees in understanding their obligations as mandated reporters to report child sex trafficking. The module focuses on how to utilize the Wisconsin Child Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Indicator and Response Guide and is not meant to be a comprehensive training on understanding and responding to child sex trafficking. Additional training for staff is essential.

• Indicator and Response Guide to Making a Report of Suspected Sex Trafficking
• Guía de Respuestas e Indicadores de Trata y Explotación Sexual de Wisconsin - Indicator and Response Guide to Making a Report of Suspected Sex Trafficking (Spanish Version)

Additional training and resources on the topic of human trafficking are provided on our webpages under Resources to Reduce and Respond to Sexual Violence in Schools.

Additional Resources and FAQs

The School's Role in Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect - DPI (2025)

This publication includes a number of frequently asked questions and answers relating to school staff responsibilities of preventing and responding to child maltreatment. 

Information for Mandated Reporters in Virtual Environments - DPI/DCF (2020)

DPI has partnered with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to create this resource related to mandated reporting and the duty of all school staff as mandated reporters and supporters of family strengthening. The document reminds school staff about their responsibility as a mandated reporter and the signs of child abuse and neglect. On the reverse side, question examples are provided to help guide conversations with students and caregivers to further understanding and target supports.  

Confidential Services Available to Minors - DPI

Describes the circumstances in which youth may access confidential services independently, according to Wisconsin law. These circumstances include school services, services for runaway youth, sexual assault and domestic violence services, family planning services, legal representation, alcohol and other drug and mental health services, and HIV test results. This document also includes a description of other resources and provides referenced statutes.

Information About Wisconsin’s Child Protection System

The goal of the child welfare system is to support parents and caregivers in making necessary changes so children are safe and protected in their homes.

Please find information about this system below.

• Understanding the Language of Child Welfare – A Resource for Parents
• Understanding Wisconsin’s Child Welfare System
• Information for Parents at the Start of CPS Initial Assessment 
• An Introduction to Child Welfare: For Parents, By Parents

Training for School Employees on Prevention

Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board 

The Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board (Prevention Board) is committed to promoting family strength and preventing child abuse and neglect through policy, education, funding and collaborating.

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in Organizations: Policy and Procedure Training - Awareness to Action (A2A) 

Awareness to Action (A2A) is a partnership between Children’s Wisconsin and the Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Board to bring training and guidance to individuals, organizations, and communities ready to take responsibility for keeping children safe. A2A offers a free in-person or virtual initial training to learn the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 6 Core Components to protect children through sound policies and procedures.

This training includes:

• Develop a concrete action plan to improve policies & best practices for your school.
• Receive technical assistance and support from Awareness to Action staff on the implementation of the plan.
• Attend a meeting 3 and 6 months after the training to sustain the implementation of the plan. 

Staff members with decision-making power, as well as staff members who are directly responsible for helping kids stay safe should attend this workshop. It is not necessary for all staff members to attend.

Visit www.a2awisconsin.org for workshop details and email a2a@childrenswi.org to bring this free workshop to your school.

The Safe Place to Learn - National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments

The Safe Place to Learn resource package provides a range of materials to support school efforts to prevent and eliminate peer-to-peer sexual harassment and sexual violence. It is designed to help establish and maintain a safe, supportive learning environment and mitigate factors that interfere with learning.

Addressing and Preventing Adult Sexual Misconduct in the School Setting - REMS

This 30-45 minute training module has been designed to help you learn about preventing and addressing adult sexual misconduct (ASM) in the school setting to protect students. When you are finished with this course, you will be able to define ASM; recognize ASM in a school setting, including identification of gray areas; identify when reporting potential ASM in a school setting may be required; and describe the federally recommended six-step planning process for addressing and preventing ASM.

Protective Behaviors Curriculum and Training Information

Schools in Wisconsin must provide lessons to students to teach knowledge of effective means by which pupils may recognize, avoid, prevent and halt physically or psychologically intrusive or abusive situations which may be harmful to pupils, including child abuse, sexual abuse and child enticement, Wis. Stat. § 118.01(2)(d)(8).

Experts recommend using an evidence-informed curriculum at the elementary level for protective behaviors, including understanding secrets versus surprises, uncomfortable or confusing touch, how to get help, assertiveness, boundaries and limit setting.

Child Sexual Abuse Program Curriculum Review - Awareness to Action (A2A)

• This document is not meant to endorse or discourage the use of any particular curriculum, but rather to provide information that aids in the curriculum selection process. The tool was developed utilizing the 9 Principles of Effective Prevention Programs and the 10 Core Concepts to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse.
• Some examples of curriculum include Committee for Children Child Protection Unit, Kids in the Know, Our While Lives, Childhelp, MBF Child Safety Matters, Kidsmartz.

I Ask How to Teach Consent Early - National Sexual Violence Resource Center

Mandated Reporting of Threats of School Violence

Please note: All school employees must also complete the Mandatory Reporting of Threats of School Violence (Act 143) Training.

The online module for this training is available on the Student Services/Prevention and Wellness Required Training for Wisconsin School Staff webpage.