Child Abuse: Pennsylvania Mandated Reporter Training
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Helping Children Build Healthy Peer Relationships and Social Skills
Posted by Nicole Ricketts-Murray, RN
  Healthy friendships are not just a minor part of childhood—they are fundamental developmental tasks within child social development that can impact learning, behavior, and long-term health in measurable ways. In clinical settings, issues with social functioning may manifest indirectly, such as through physical complaints, refusal to attend school, irritability, or sleep problems; often, these stem from challenges in children's peer relationships. For pediatricians and primary care providers, offering brief, age-appropriate advice on social skills and relationships can strengthen early guidance, identify risks sooner, and help families build resilience and support childhood mental health.   The Health Impact of Peer Relationships Children develop socially through everyday interactions, such as sharing, taking turns, interpreting facial expressions, resolving conflicts, and correcting misunderstandings. These experiences are central to child social d...
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Winter Safety Risks for Children and When to Act
Posted by Nicole Ricketts-Murray, RN
January often brings extreme-cold advisories, school delays, and sudden schedule changes—exactly the conditions that can increase winter-related injuries and expose gaps in a child’s basic care. For mandated reporters (including educators, childcare staff, and many healthcare professionals), winter is also a time when potential neglect can become more visible: repeated inadequate clothing, unsafe supervision during closures, or prolonged exposure to cold. This article focuses on (1) preventing and recognizing hypothermia and frostbite, (2) winter-specific supervision risks, and (3) how to distinguish “supportive help” from situations that may require a mandated report, with Pennsylvania-specific references. Why cold hits kids hard Cold injury risk isn’t just about temperature—it’s about time, wind, wet clothing, and supervision. The CDC notes that hypothermia can occur not only in severe cold but even above 40°F if a person bec...
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The Little Things: Small Ways to Support a Child’s Emotional Well-Being Each Day
Posted by Mary Thompson
As the winter months roll in, classrooms, clinics, and counseling offices often take on a unique energy. The shorter days, colder weather, and anticipation of holidays can stir up a mix of emotions in children – excitement, fatigue, restlessness, and sometimes anxiety. Routines may shift, energy levels fluctuate, and even the most even-tempered students can feel off balance. In these moments, the presence of a caring adult can make all the difference. For many children, school and other environments offer consistency they may not have elsewhere. Whether you are a teacher greeting your students each morning or a nurse helping a nervous child through a vaccination, your daily interactions form the backbone of emotional safety and connection. It‘s easy to underestimate the impact of small gestures — a smile, a word of encouragement, or a moment of genuine attention. But research continues to show that children thrive when adults consistently show care in even the s...
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The Rise of E-Cigarettes Among Teens: What Teachers and Counselors Need to Recognize
Posted by Mary Thompson
E-cigarettes and vaping have exploded in popularity among adolescents in recent years, evolving from a niche trend to a widespread concern in middle schools and high schools alike. What started as “safer” alternatives to cigarettes has morphed into devices that many teens use daily, often in secret. This trend is especially relevant in school settings, where teachers and counselors may be the first to notice changes in behavior, health, or academic performance. Beyond the immediate health risks, vaping can disrupt learning, shift social dynamics, and contribute to disciplinary or mental health issues. This blog is crafted for educators, school counselors, and youth professionals in Pennsylvania (and beyond). Its goal is to help you spot warning signs of vaping, understand the motivations behind it, and respond effectively with support, not shame. What are E-Cigarettes and Vaping Devices? E-cigarettes (also called electronic cigarettes or vapes) are battery-p...
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Preventing Abuse in Sports: What Coaches and Volunteers Should Watch For
Posted by Mary Thompson
Youth sports play a powerful role in shaping children’s lives. From building confidence and discipline to encouraging teamwork and resilience, sports can be one of the most positive influences in a young person’s development. Yet, these environments can also become unsafe when proper safeguards are not in place.   Coaches and Volunteers often hold significant authority over athletes. That power comes with responsibility–not just to teach the rules of the game, but to protect the well-being of every child in their care. In Pennsylvania, anyone working with children in a supervisory role, including coaches and sports volunteers, is considered a mandated reporter under state law. This legal and ethical duty means recognizing the warning signs of abuse and taking action when concerns arise.   The purpose of this article is to help coaches and volunteers identify the different types of abuse that can occur in sports, understand the risk factors, r...
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Recent Posts
Helping Children Build Healthy Peer Relationships and Social Skills
Winter Safety Risks for Children and When to Act
The Little Things: Small Ways to Support a Child’s Emotional Well-Being Each Day
The Rise of E-Cigarettes Among Teens: What Teachers and Counselors Need to Recognize
Preventing Abuse in Sports: What Coaches and Volunteers Should Watch For
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