State system offers protection of minors training

Feb. 26, 2016

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa.- Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education is finalizing online protection of minors training for employees of its 14 institutions.

Slippery Rock University employees will receive an email from the President's Office in the next few weeks providing instructions about the training, said Holly McCoy, SRU assistant vice president for diversity and equal opportunity/Title IX coordinator.

She said the system wanted to make sure its training is consistent at all of its campuses.

McCoy said the training would take 20 to 30 minutes to complete and will provide information on recognizing child abuse, current laws on the protection of minors and what your responsibilities are if you suspect abuse.

The training is the next step in SRU's pro-active efforts to prevent child abuse. Last year, McCoy, University Police Chief Michael Simmons and Larry Breitenstein, assistant professor of public health and social work, developed and led a workshop that employees attended in person. SRU has instituted a comprehensive background check program, including child abuse clearance and criminal background checks, which required employees to be fingerprinted.

McCoy said recent changes in Pennsylvania law made almost all SRU employees mandatory reporters of child abuse.

MEDIA CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine | 724.738.4854 | gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu