Child Abuse: Pennsylvania Mandated Reporter Training
Meet Your ACT 31 Pennsylvania Continuing Education Requirement Quickly & Affordably.
Like us on Facebook

PA Requirements - Blog
PANDAS in Practice: Untangling the Controversy Around Sudden-Onset OCD and Tics in Kids
Posted by Jenny Huynh, BSN, RN, NCSN
Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections—more commonly known by its acronym, PANDAS—is a term that’s been circulating in pediatric circles for a few decades now, often with a mixture of curiosity, skepticism, and frustration. If you’ve been in practice long enough, chances are you’ve either heard about it from a concerned parent who came in with a printout from Google or you've encountered a kid whose Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms came on like a switch had been flipped. So let’s talk shop—what PANDAS is, what we know, and why it's still a hotly debated diagnosis. What Is PANDAS? Origins, Criteria, and Proposed Mechanisms The idea of PANDAS came into the picture in the late '90s when researchers at the NIMH noticed something odd. Some children, often previously healthy, developed sudden and severe obsessive-compulsive behaviors or motor tics after what seemed to...
▶ Read More
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...
▶ Read More
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...
▶ Read More
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...
▶ Read More
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...
▶ Read More
Recent Posts
PANDAS in Practice: Untangling the Controversy Around Sudden-Onset OCD and Tics in Kids
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
Categories
Child Abuse
Technology
New Study's
Medicine
History
Health & Diet
Safety