Program Description: 

Professionals often face challenges in effectively identifying, managing, and reporting child maltreatment. The WI CAN series is designed to strengthen these critical skills by providing comprehensive education on recognizing, responding to, and reporting suspected abuse or neglect. Additionally, the series emphasizes the importance of a coordinated multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach to investigations, ensuring accurate information is gathered while minimizing trauma for the child and family.

 
Keywords: Child Maltreatment, Child Abuse, Systems Response
Target audience: 
  • Physicians
  • Physician Assistants
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Nurses
  • Social Workers
  • MDT members (law enforcement, CPS), victim advocacy, state government
Learning objectives: 
Participants who engage in this educational intervention will be able to:
  • Identify and interpret key indicators of child maltreatment—such as physical abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse—to support accurate recognition and reporting.
  • Explain the healthcare provider’s roles and responsibilities in evaluating suspected abuse and apply mandated reporting requirements in clinical practice.
  • Differentiate child maltreatment from other medical conditions or accidental injuries to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate intervention.
  • Analyze the multidisciplinary team (MDT) response—encompassing law enforcement, child protective services, medical professionals, and advocates—and evaluate how collaboration enhances outcomes for children and families. 
Faculty & credentials: 
Activity Director(s):

Hillary Petska, MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin
Associate Director of CAC’s, Children’s Wisconsin

Planning Committee Members:
Rebecca Murray
Shira Phelps
Sarah Lawton
Rebekah Dettmann APSW 
Connie Klick, MSW
Lynn Cook, MSW, APSW
Hillary Petska MD, MPH, 
Susan Kanack BSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P
Karyn van Heijningen MSW, APSW
Rachel Madsen MS-CAM, BSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE

In accordance with the ACCME® Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, Standard 3, all persons in control of content must disclose any relevant financial relationships. It is the policy of the Medical College of Wisconsin to identify, mitigate and disclose the absence or presence of all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies held by the speakers/presenters, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence content of this accredited continuing education. The following in control of content had no relevant financial relationships to disclose. 

  • Hillary Petska
  • Rebecca Murray
  • Shira Phelps
  • Sarah Lawton
  • Rebekah Dettmann APSW 
  • Connie Klick, MSW
  • Lynn Cook, MSW, APSW
  • Hillary Petska MD, MPH, 
  • Susan Kanack BSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P
  • Karyn van Heijningen MSW, APSW
  • Rachel Madsen MS-CAM, BSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE

Contact

Name: 
Karyn van Heijningen
Series date: 
01/01/2026 - 1:00am CST to 12/31/2026 - 11:59pm CST
ACCME Accreditation Statement:
The Medical College of Wisconsin is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
 
AMA Credit Designation Statement:
The Medical College of Wisconsin designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
 
Hours of Participation for Allied Health Care Professionals:
The Medical College of Wisconsin designates this activity for up to 1.00 hours of participation for continuing education for allied health professionals.
 
Children’s Wisconsin is approved by the Wisconsin Nurses Association as a provider of nursing and continuing professional development and is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Nurses who participate and complete an evaluation are awarded 1.0 nursing contact hours
Group description: 
Pediatrics
Series location: 
Virtual
Milwaukee, WI
United States

Sessions