Dr. Joseph A. Marsaglia, EdD, CFSP, PIMS, Dean Emeritus

Starting in 1995, Dr. Joseph Marsaglia served as the Dean of Faculty and Students Instructor, Clinical Embalming Supervisor at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.

Prior to his time at the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, Dr. Joseph Marsaglia served as a Sargeant in the United States Marine Corps. He was also a police officer on the Philadelphia Police Force, and a participant in recovery efforts of US Air Flight 427 in 1994 and an earthquake in Kobe, Japan in 1995. 

 He has an extensive teaching experience and background that includes coursework in business, sociology, psychology, Thanatology, and funeral service law. He also has written multiple articles and presented all over the United States.

This presentation will include issues and protocols associated with the funeral director's role as a mandated reporter. Identifying and reporting child abuse by funeral directions has become law in most jurisdictions. His presentations are always enlightening.

Child Abuse

Abused children are in urgent need of an effective child protective service to prevent them from suffering further injury and impairment. Recognizing suspected child abuse and providing a more complete reporting of suspected child abuse is essential to ensure the child’s well-being and to preserve the integrity of the family.

COURSE OBJECTIVE

  • Identify the categories of child abuse

  • Recognize the signs of child abuse

  • Understand the reporting requirements for suspected child abuse

  • Discuss the role of Mandated Reporter as related to the Department of Human Services and Bureau of Professional and Occupation Affairs; Act 31 of 2014

COURSE DESCRIPTION

To provide comprehensive training to funeral directors and other mandated reporters relating to child abuse recognition and reporting requirements under Act 31.

COURSE OUTLINE

  1. Description of Child Welfare in State of PA

  2. General Protective Services – non-serious injury or neglect

  3. Present the Department of Human Services hierarchy; responsibilities of the Office of Children; Youth and Families; Purpose of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.

  4. Define Components of Child Abuse; All categories of child abuse; Exclusions of Child Abuse

  5. Provisions and responsibilities for reporting suspected child abuse including types of reporters; the Reporting Process; Protection for Reporters; Penalties for Failure to Report; Mandated Reporters Right-to-Know

  6. Recognition of Child Abuse

Sponsored by WPFDA

Sherrie Dunlevy | Author, Renowned Speaker, Podcast Host

Sherrie Dunlevy is a former TV news anchor and radio talk host turned best selling author, inspirational speaker, host of the Graduating Grief podcast and founder of the Graduating Grief Academy.

She is also a bereaved mother, and daughter.

She has presented at the at NFDA international conferences, the OHDA conference, Presented continuing education online workshops for the OFDA and has participated in numerous global grief summits. As an inspirational speaker, Sherrie has presented many keynotes, and workshops based on personal and professional development.

SUMMARY

Believe it or not, at a time when they need the support of family an friends the most, some grieving people get ghosted.

These are the people those grieving thought they could count on and somehow they just disappear from their lives.

This is what happened to Sherrie Dunlevy and her husband following the death of their son and she found out they are not the only ones. Many others who are suffering from loss have also lost close relationships.

OBJECTIVES

1. In this presentation, Sherrie shares 3 reasons why this may be happening and offers specific actions people can do and say to help their loved ones through the most difficult times of their lives.

2. In addition, she will provide resources you can offer or share with loved ones, friends, colleagues and clients who are grieving and those who love them.

Sponsor: To Be Announced

Lee Gohmann | LFD, EdD

Lee Gohmann is a working funeral director, and has been in funeral service for over 20 years. She started out on the cemetery side of things, selling cemetery plots and pre-need funerals. A few years into her career, she attended mortuary school online through the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.

In addition to being a licensed funeral director she is an educator. She is passionate about funeral service and mortuary education, and the many options online learning has to offer, so much so that she got a Master of Education degree with a concentration in online teaching and learning. Lee teaches at two colleges online.

“it is a pleasure to provide continuing education to our profession, on a number of topics ranging from those required for licensure to some a little lighter.”

FTC: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

This two hour course examines the Federal Trade Commission from its foundation in 1914, it’s effect on the funeral industry with the introduction of the Funeral Rule in 1984, and it’s ongoing impact with the proposed changes that they hope to enact.

OBJECTIVES

1. Why do we need the funeral rule anyhow? A few bad apples did spoil the whole bunch.

2. What must be on the GPL to keep it legal? The required disclosures.

3. A triggering event has nothing to do with the 2nd Amendment. When do I have to give out a GPL? 

4. They want to make me do What? Proposed changes to the Funeral Rule.

Conclusion: Times change, and so must we.

Sponsor: To Be Announced