This email newsletter update provides helpful information from the Bureau of Certification.

Please see the following email being sent on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). 

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL, AS YOUR EMAIL WILL NOT BE RESPONDED TO OR FORWARDED.

Focus Groups Seeking Feedback on Mandated Reporting Processes

As a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse and neglect, you are aware of the many changes to the Child Protective Services Law that went into effect at the end of 2014.  A significant change in the child protection system is the ability to submit referrals electronically through the Child Welfare Information Solution (CWIS). 

The PA Department of Human Services wants feedback from mandated reporters on what is or is not working with this Self-Service option, as well as the overall reporting process in PA. 

DHS has asked KPMG, one of the vendors on the Child Welfare Information Solution (CWIS) Project, to conduct Mandated Reporter Focus Groups across the Commonwealth to gather this feedback. The focus groups will start in January, 2017 and will be held at various locations across the state.  

We are seeking participants for the upcoming focus groups and want your help!  Our objectives include:
  • Determine how to strengthen and enhance the Self-Service application to address Mandated Reporters' feedback that it be "more user friendly";
  • Understand what would make the Self-Service portal the trusted first choice for making a referral to further improve our processing time of referrals and thus better protecting children;
  • Gather insight from participants on approved Mandated Reporter training; and
  • Identify best practices for utilizing the system and reporting abuse.
We invite and encourage you to email RA-PWCWIS@pa.gov  if you're interested in participating in a 90 minute focus group.  Please include in the subject line "Focus Group" and answer the following questions in the body of your email:
  • What is your discipline (e.g. Health care, Education)?
  • What organization(s) are you a mandated reporter through?
  • Have you submitted a report of Child Abuse in the last 12 months?
  • Have you ever used the Self-Service system?
  • What other mode to submit a report of abuse have you used? (e.g. Call Hotline, Call County, etc.)
Based on the responses, KPMG will select participants to ensure cross representation of mandated reporter disciplines and experiences.  If you are selected as a focus group member, you will be contacted via the Resource Account email address (RA-PWCWIS@pa.gov), so be sure to add it as a trusted email account.
 
Thank you!


The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning supports families 
and their children, from prenatal through school age, by using data, research and 
stakeholder guidance to assure high quality services.