CPS Reporting
This type of abuse must be reported to Child Protective Services (CPS) if suspected, even if the child does not want the report made.
What is "Child neglect/abuse
A middle school student has been showing signs of withdrawal, excessive sadness, and talks about not wanting to be alive. What is your first action?
What is "Complete a risk assessment/ASQ"?
What do you need to do following a restraint and debriefing?
What is “Notify your PD, contact guardian, and complete an incident report”
A 5th-grade client becomes upset during an intentional intervention and begins raising their voice, clenching their fists, and pacing around the room. What should you do first?
What is "Remain calm and use de-escalation techniques such as offering space, validating feelings, and creating a safe space"
A parent is concerned that their child is showing signs of depression and is asking for information about therapy. What should you discuss with the parent?
What is "Explain the signs of depression, the therapy process, and how they can support their child at home"
A 10-year-old student confides that their guardian has been hitting them and making threats. What is your responsibility as a mental health provider?
What is report the concern to CPS for potential physical abuse
An elementary client has increased in their physical aggression over the past two weeks. During instructional time, they escalated and became physically aggressive towards several peers. You are concerned about safety. What are your next steps?
What is staff with Program Director
A 7th-grade client becomes physically aggressive toward other students, throwing objects. What is your first step to handle the situation?
What is "Attempt de-escalation techniques with the client before utilizing physical management"
A 10th-grade client is getting louder and more aggressive during TDT groups. Other students are starting to feel unsafe. What should you do?
What is "Remove the client from the group, de-escalate in a private setting, and ensure safety for everyone involved"
A guardian is upset because their child has not improved as quickly as they had hoped after a few therapy sessions. How do you respond?
What is "Explain that therapy progress can take time, review the treatment goals, and offer additional strategies to support the child"
A staff member reports concerns about the safety of a client after the client disclosed “not eating over the weekend”, what should they do
What is "Collaborate with the guardian about the client’s statements and discuss staff’s role as a mandated reporter"?
You have a client who has been in and out of foster care and has a history of self-harming. What is best practice at the start of services
What is "Create a safety plan with client and legal guardian”
You have a client who is at risk of hurting themselves or others and requires physical restraint. What must you do immediately after releasing the client?
What is "Debrief with the client and monitor the student’s physical and emotional condition, check for marks or bruises"
A client becomes visibly agitated, is pacing around, and is starting to verbally lash out. What’s your next step in managing the escalation
What is "Offer the student a chance to cool down in a safe space and engage in calming techniques"
A parent asks about the limits of confidentiality in therapy for their middle school child. How do you clarify this?
What is "Explain that confidentiality is respected, but there are exceptions, such as if the child is at risk of harm to self or others or abuse"
A high school client reported smoking marijuana with their adult cousin over the week. What action should you take?
What is staff with your Program Director
A client reported a desire to harm another peer with a plan and intent. What should you consider
What is "Duty to Warn"
A 9th grade client is becoming increasingly violent and is putting others at risk. What should you do first?
What is "Attempt to de-escalate the situation and create a safe space ie: by clearing the area of harmful objects or separating the client from others.
A client starts yelling at their peers during a lunch break and seems to be getting more agitated by the second. What should be your immediate response?
What is "Approach the student calmly, offer them a chance to step aside to calm down, and use calming language"
A high school student’s guardian is concerned about the child's peer relationships and asks for your opinion. What should you discuss?
What is "Address the child’s social and emotional challenges, and provide guidance on helping the guardian support positive peer interactions"
A student comes to you with severe cuts on their arms and claims they did it because their parents punish them too harshly. What is your next step
What is "Gather more information"
A client reports cutting themselves in the school setting with suicidal ideations. You conducted the ASQ and they scored high. What are your next steps
Follow the emergency psychiatric protocol/Visual flowchart
A client who is being restrained starts complaining of difficulty breathing. What should you do immediately?
What is "Release the restraint and assess the client’s physical condition, seek medical attention if necessary"
A client is threatening physical violence toward another student and is refusing to leave the area while on an outing. What should you do?
What is "Call for support, ensure others are safe, attempt to de-escalate the student using verbal techniques, and administer an ASQ"
A guardian insists that their child should be in a different treatment plan, expressing dissatisfaction with the current approach. How do you handle the conversation
What is "Listen to their concerns, explain the current treatment plan’s goals, and discuss potential adjustments if appropriate"