The mandatory reporter training that educators receive to identify abuse or neglect when serving students in person, applies to distance learning, too, according to child abuse prevention organizations, such as Darkness to Light and International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, and various state departments of education. Though you should always follow your school's guidelines for mandated reporting, during distance learning (triggered by shelter-in-place orders) here are some additional best practices to consider:

1. Check on students and families via phone or video conferencing. Additional stress, grief, or health problems could be increasing for every student or family, right now. Teacher check-ins can be a great source of extra support.

2. Be curious and ask questions of students and their caregivers about how they are doing, what is going well, and what concerns them about their current environment. For example, you could ask students:

• How are you feeling?

• What was the best/hardest part of your day?

• What did you have for breakfast?

• What do you like best about being home?

• What do you miss about being at school? What worries you?

3. Offer local or government resources to every student's household during this time. If a household is facing new economic hardship due to COVID-19, in some cases that can increase child abuse and neglect. What resources can you point them to for financial relief, or eviction protections, for example? Note: Planned Parenthood Mar Monte health centers in California and Nevada are operating during COVID-19. Check out PPMM health center’s website for updated information regarding hours, how to make in-person or tele-health appointments, and which sites are currently offering additional services your students might need during the pandemic, such as family medicine or behavioral health services. (You can share PPMM’s COVID-19 Resource eGuide with families, too.)

4. Pay attention to the environment during video chats or live virtual classes. Though everyone may be under stress, you may still notice concerning changes in child or adult behaviors as indicated by your mandatory reporter training. If concerned, invite your principal, for example, to join your next virtual class to get their opinion on what you're noticing.

5. If a student is not showing up for distance learning classes, or you are unable to engage or make contact, let your principal know so you can strategize next steps.

6. Seek (anonymous) advice from national organizations, such as Stop It Now, which aims to help parents/youth influencers recognize vulnerable signs in children or other adults in the home. The organization is adapting its supports for shelter-in-place circumstances. Go to: https://www.stopitnow.org/help-guidance/get-help-now or call 1.888.PREVENT