When I first became a mandated reporter, I thought it was simple: if a child disclosed abuse or neglect, I’d pick up the phone and call it in. But working with kids in foster care taught me that reporting isn’t always black and white. Sometimes disclosures are about survival, longing for home, wanting to leave a placement, or even seeking attention. In this episode of the Stable Moments Podcast, I share what it really means to be a mandated reporter when working with children who’ve experienced early developmental trauma.

We’ll cover:

• What a mandated reporter is and who qualifies
• The difference between reporting current vs. past abuse
• Why you should never assume past abuse has already been documented
• How to respond when a child discloses something difficult
• The importance of staying non-judgmental while ensuring children’s safety
• How false or exaggerated reports impact foster and adoptive families
• A simple trauma-informed framework for handling disclosures

Whether you’re a mentor, teacher, social worker, healthcare provider, or volunteer, this episode will help you navigate mandated reporting with empathy, clarity, and confidence.

👉 Watch until the end for practical steps you can take when a child shares sensitive information with you. 🌐 Learn more about the Stable Moments trauma-informed mentorship program and watch our free webinar: https://stablemoments.com/webinar

📌 Subscribe for more conversations on foster care, child welfare, and trauma-informed mentorship. #StableMoments #MandatedReporter #TraumaInformed #FosterCare #ChildWelfare #Mentorship