Workplace Sexual Harassment Training in the Early Intervention & Pre-School Setting

Harassment – and its accompanying legal and fiscal liability - can also occur in any context of the early intervention setting – such as prior or following an IFSP meeting, during family trainings where co-visits among providers occur, or between different members of the team – for example, an early intervention provider and service coordinator. It may also occur between a service provider and parent.

Under the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA), all workers have the right to employment free from sexual harassment or unlawful discrimination. In a new 2019 law in Illinois, the state has expanded requirements for sexual harassment protections in the workplace - which includes training in how to prevent sexual harassment. As of 2019, all companies who would like to do business with the state of Illinois are required to have an official sexual harassment policy. Employers with 15 or more employees are prohibited from discriminating based on sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or pregnancy.  

Illinois Department of Human Services General Council that this law DOES NOT pertain to Illinois early interventionist, including Service Coordination, but only applies - currently, to Public Employees; however, it may be considered 'recommended' for Early Intervention.  The service delivery model utilized in Illinois is an independent payee relationship and those populations are not covered under 5 ILCS 430/5-10.5.  Employees are specifically defined in 5 ILCS 430/1-5.

The ‘natural environment’ is the home, library, and wherever the individual family service plan (IFSP) defines the place of service. Consequently, while the child’s home may be the natural environment relative to the child and family, it is deemed the work-environment relative to the service provider who is paid for the time they render professional service at that location. 

This course is 'best practice' about teaching early intervention personnel and service providers the professional boundaries in the context of sexual or other harassment. As such, it may enable the early intervention professional to become more aware of inappropriate behavior, even if invited by a parent or other member of the early intervention team, and serve as a ‘hedge’ protecting against wrongdoing & legal liability. Case studies drawn from the early intervention setting will be presented throughout this course presentation.

Our training meets the final guidance recommendation for ‘interactive’ in that it includes a ‘back-and-forth’ component as well as a platform for course-takers’ submission questions and the prompt receipt of answers, as well as a requirement for answering the correct answers during the examination that follows, as well as course survey.

In today’s climate of zero tolerance for harassment of any kind, every early intervention provider must take special care. This primer is a RECOMMENDED STUDY for all early intervention providers who service the professional needs of infants and toddlers in the Illinois Early Intervention & Pre-school programs!

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Not Mandated by the Illinois Early Intervention Training Program:

Illinois Department of Human Services General Council that this law DOES NOT pertain to Illinois early interventionist, including Service Coordination.  The service delivery model utilized in Illinois is an independent payee relationship and those populations are not covered under 5 ILCS 430/5-10.5.  Employees are specifically defined in 5 ILCS 430/1-5.

This program is offered for 0.50 ASHA CEU's (Introductory Level, Professional)

EITTOC is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# 8922. This distance learning-independent is offered at 0.5 CEUs, introductory, Professional Issues. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA or indicate AOTA approval of a certification or other professional recognition.

Disclosure: Disclosure: David C Saidoff PT - course developer/presenter - has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: he receives monetary compensation for the preparation of this course, in addition to a percentage of company sales, and has the following relevant non-financial relationships to disclose: EITTOC Board of Directors: volunteer member. Melissa Whelan, OTR - course developer/presenter - has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: she receives monetary compensation for the preparation of this course, in addition to a percentage of company sales, and has the following relevant non-financial relationships to disclose: EITTOC Board of Directors: volunteer member. Nancy L. Beckerman, LCSW, DSW - instructor has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: she receives monetary compensation for the preparation of this course, in addition to a percentage of company sales, and has the following relevant non-financial relationships to disclose:EITTOC Board of Directors: volunteer member. KristenO’Leary,SLP, has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: she receives monetary compensation for the preparation of this course, in addition to a percentage of company sales, and has the following relevant non-financial relationships to disclose:EITTOC Board of Directors: volunteer member. Dr. Robert Koppel, M.D.,FAAP, Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: he receives monetary compensation for the preparation of this course, in addition to a percentage of company sales, and has the following relevant non-financial relationships to disclose: EITTOC Board of Directors: volunteer member.  Rebecca Stern Lamm, MSW, LCSW has the following relevant financial relationships to disclose: he receives monetary compensation for the preparation of this course, in addition to a percentage of company sales, and has the following relevant non-financial relationships to disclose: EITTOC Board of Directors: volunteer member.  Declaration: Approval of this course does not necessarily imply that any of the governing bodies (e.g., West Virginian Board of Physical Therapy, or other such governmental or NGO’s supports the views of the presenter or sponsor. Information provided should be used within the scope of practice. No relevant financial or non-financial relationships exists between EITTOC or the products discussed any course; no such relationship or endorsement exists for any products mentioned in any courses sponsored by EITTOC, or in any of the items (such as specific AED or Epinephrine injection product) or any testing instrument used to evaluate children; the above course is specific to said-topic, and may not be extrapolated to any other course or topic outside the scope of this course. Course instructor(s) have no other financial or non-financial remuneration - whether prior to or following course delivery; the above advertisement is made available to all physical therapy (and other) licensee on a non-discriminatory basis. Ascend has approved this course and may be contacted about any concerns. Information provided should be used within scope of practice.  AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures. The onus of responsibility for this course – granted contact hours by the AOTA – is for each OT professional to check with their State board of OT to see if this course meets licensure requirement for continuing education.