What is required of employees hired after September 30th regarding CAAT?

• A. They are exempt from CAAT for the first year.
• B. They must complete CAAT within 90 days and every 2 years.
• C. They must complete the training within 30 days of employment and annually thereafter.
• D. They must complete CAAT within 6 months only.

Answer: (C)

CAAT stands for Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness Training, and it’s the training designed to help staff recognize and report suspected abuse or neglect in line with mandated reporting laws. For employees hired after September 30, the policy requires that this training be completed within 30 days of starting work, with a refresh annually thereafter. This setup ensures new hires are equipped with essential knowledge right away and that all staff stay up to date as procedures and laws evolve.

Why this is the best fit: completing the training within 30 days ensures onboarding includes critical safeguarding responsibilities from the outset. Requiring it annually provides a regular reminder and update, which helps maintain consistent reporting practices across the year. The other options would either delay onboarding (exempting new hires for a year), push the training too far out (90 days with a two-year refresh), or offer only a one-time or limited window (6 months only), which wouldn’t meet the ongoing, timely requirement needed for effective safeguarding.