Brief Overview: Honoring Cultures was a workgroup, supported through Children’s Advocacy Centers of Michigan, dedicated for creating solutions to the impact of implicit bias on the systems designated to protect children from child abuse and neglect. The Honoring Cultures team crafted the Mitigating Bias in the Forensic Interview tool, a resource designed to help forensic interviewers with a practical way to address the impact of bias on their forensic interviewing skills. The Mitigating Bias tool is a specific and intentional practice that can help to avoid our choices being overrun by unconscious thought, influence decision making and improve the response…
Confidentiality Best Practices for MDTs: From Releases to Case Reviews
Brief Overview: The purpose of this recorded resource is to provide a didactic and interactive training that utilizes breakouts and, role-plays, and case vignettes to demonstrate confidentiality practices involved in working at a CAC for both mental health and victim advocate staff. Expert Presenters: Amelia Siders, PhD, currently a Training Specialist with Western Regional CAC, is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked to support children’s advocacy centers for over 12 years. She gained experience providing direct service as well as being a clinical supervisor and program director at a children’s advocacy center in Traverse City, Michigan. Following her time…
Risk and Resilience: Understanding How Trafficking and Exploitation Impact Native Youth
Brief Overview: This recorded resource will address the trafficking and exploitation of Indigenous youth. Historical context and current systems of oppression impacting trafficking and exploitation against Indigenous youth will be addressed by the presenter. The presenter will share recommendations on incorporating culture and tradition in building resilience among Indigenous youth. The presentation will also cover how childhood traumatic experiences and systems responses, compounded by current systemic racism, cause harm that is exploited by traffickers and how systems professionals can adjust responses to create the best outcomes throughout the lifespan, including incorporating culturally responsive services into care. Expert Presenters: Anne…
Challenge of Language
Brief Overview: The purpose is to discuss helpful insights and strategies for forensic interviewers when interviewing Spanish speaking monolingual and bilingual children. Information about interpreters and suggestions will be shared for how multi-disciplinary interview teams can work together to obtain best results. The goal is to help interviewers, interpreters and MDT members conduct interviews that are culturally sensitive and linguistically correct. Expert Presenters: Dulce Solis, currently works at SungateKids Child Advocacy Center in the state of Colorado. Dulce has been a Bilingual Forensic Interviewer for over 12 years. Dulce graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice and has worked in…
Child Interviewing 2023: Update on Research and Practice
Brief Overview: Dr. Lyon will discuss the major research advances in 2022/2023 that help interviewers to do a better job when they question children, and whenever possible, provide videotaped examples of the novel procedures. Expert Presenters: Thomas D. Lyon, JD, PhD, is the Judge Edward J. and Ruey L. Guirado Chair in Law and Psychology at the University of Southern California. His research interests include child abuse and neglect, child witnesses, and domestic violence. He is the Past-President of the American Psychological Association’s Section on Child Maltreatment (Division 37) and a former member of the Board of Directors of the…
Introduction to the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)
Brief Overview: This presentation aims to equip you with the foundational knowledge and general understanding of the dynamics of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking as it is experienced by youth, the realities of which youth are being exploited, and some approaches towards an improved response. We will provide a general overview of federal laws and legislation, common terminology, dynamics and characteristics, common myths and misconceptions, statistics of who is truly being affected, risk factors and warning signs, screening tools for identification, and resources to provide better services and care for these youth. Overall, the goal is to provide you with…
How Children’s Advocacy Professionals Can Support the Implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act
Brief Overview: Participants will explore strategies to engage AI/AN children and families in culturally responsive ways, improving access to and participation in the CAC process. This will ideally lead to increased criminal prosecutions and accurate safety assessments improving public safety. Expert Presenters: Lisa Stark, MSW, (Ojibwe) provides training and technical assistance to tribes and agencies engaged in developing trauma-informed child welfare systems and tribal child advocacy best practices. Trained as both a clinician and a child welfare worker, Lisa has a wealth of direct practice experience in tribal child welfare, including work as a case manager/ICWA Representative for the Bad…
Providing Culturally Sensitive, Trauma Responsive Victim and Survivor Services
Brief Overview: This training is designed to increase cultural competence for child advocacy centers who serve AI/AN children and families. Relevant research and statistics are shared to help participants understand the prevalence of trauma in AI/AN communities. The trainer provides insight into the impact of historical trauma on services available and provided to AI/AN families as well as recommendations for culturally sensitive engagement. Expert Presenters: Maegan Rides At The Door, PhD, LCPC, an enrolled member of the Assiniboine-Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation and a descendant of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Dr. Maegan Rides At The Door,…
Evaluation Methods: How to Choose
Brief Overview: When it comes to program evaluation, do you find yourself stuck in a survey rut? Are your surveys getting you the info you need? If you’re looking to improve your surveys and learn what other methods are out there, this webinar is for you. We will walk you through the difference between quantitative and qualitative evaluation approaches and explain the value of a mixed-methods approach. We will offer a variety of methods that can be used based on your evaluation questions and goals. Participants will walk away with a broader set of evaluation methods and a greater understanding…
Evaluation Methods: How to Choose
Brief Overview: When it comes to program evaluation, do you find yourself stuck in a survey rut? Are your surveys getting you the info you need? If you’re looking to improve your surveys and learn what other methods are out there, this webinar is for you. We will walk you through the difference between quantitative and qualitative evaluation approaches and explain the value of a mixed-methods approach. We will offer a variety of methods that can be used based on your evaluation questions and goals. Participants will walk away with a broader set of evaluation methods and a greater understanding…
Often Normal, but Still Needed: The Medical Evaluation of Child Sexual Abuse
Brief Overview: Medical evaluations are an important part of a child sexual abuse investigation. Their importance is often mis-understood due to the typical absence of physical “evidence” from the exam or lab findings. This course will explain the role of the medical provider in cases of suspected sexual abuse as well as an overview of why many of the exams are “normal.” Examples of visual aids and literature resources will be provided that could be used by medical or non-medical professionals to clarify the expectation of physical findings in legal proceedings. Expert Presenters: Karen Farst, MD is a board certified…
The Healthcare Response to Child Trafficking and Exploitation
Brief Overview: This presentation will discuss definitions, risk factors and dynamics of child labor and sex trafficking, before examining the role of the health professional in recognizing child trafficking and contributing to a holistic, multidisciplinary response that is trauma-informed and culturally responsive. We’ll discuss ways health and other child-serving professionals and their organizations can optimize patient/client care through the use of protocols and core competencies. Expert Presenters: Jordan Greenbaum, MD Jordan Greenbaum, MD is a child abuse physician living in Atlanta, GA. She has worked in the field of child maltreatment for over 20 years. She is the medical director…
Beyond First and Last: Exploring Multiple Incidents with Young Children
Brief Overview: This training will discuss strategies for organizing forensic interviews with young children, specifically when multiple forms of maltreatment or multiple incidents are disclosed within the same interview. It will also cover linguistic strategies for interviewing young children. Expert Presenters: Rachel Johnson Rachel Johnson is the Lead Forensic Interview Specialist with Zero Abuse Project. Rachel most recently served as the Program Director for the Minnesota Children’s Alliance and has over a decade of experience in work related to forensic interviewing, multidisciplinary teams, advocacy, child abuse, prevention education, sexual assault and family violence, both domestically and abroad. Prior to Rachel’s…
Moving Beyond Case Review: The Role of the MDT Facilitator
Brief Overview: This recorded resource presentation is based on a collaborative project of the four Regional Children’s Advocacy Centers to develop a conceptual model for MDT leadership. A Regional panel will present information from a recently published TTA Brief, “Beyond Case Review: The Value of the Team Facilitator in the Multidisciplinary Team/Children’s Advocacy Center Model,” and discuss data from a recent inventory of professionals who currently serve in MDT leadership roles. Expert Presenters: Sue Ascione (NRCAC), Vicky Gwiasda (WRCAC), Greg Flett (SRCAC) Sue Ascione is currently a Training Specialist with the Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center (NRCAC). She has served…
A Friendly Intro to Evaluation and Why It Matters
Brief Overview: Do you have a love/hate relationship with data? Do you ever wonder what it’s all for? Are you interested in using data to grow or improve your work but don’t know where to start? This workshop is for you! This session will help participants restore faith in data and reflect on the important role data can play in serving children better. We will introduce you to some simple terms, tools and techniques to help you get started on your data utilization journey. Expert Presenters: Nora Robinson, MSW, strategy director for WithInsight, helps organizations think and act strategically, from…
Implementation of Measurement Based Care at CACs
Brief Overview: Working in a CAC, we know how effective and impactful our services are because we see it every day, but how do we communicate that to others without data? How do we know that some of the recommendations we give to clients are appropriate and specific? This presentation will give an overview of the benefits of using a team approach to utilize screening measures related to client symptoms starting at the forensic interview. Supports and implementation strategies will be shared. Expert Presenter: Dr. Amelia Siders, Ph.D., is the Director of Clinical Practice Development and Education for Children’s Advocacy…
Drug Exposed Children and Infants: Part 1 & 2
Brief Overview: With the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana in many states and the increase in prescription drug abuse, the issue of substance exposed newborns and drug endangered children continues to be in important topic for the many professionals that serve women of child-bearing age, pregnant women and young families. This presentation will provide an overview of the impacts of prenatal drug and alcohol exposure including the latest information about the impact of exposures to marijuana and prescription drugs. It will outline the effects of parental substance use/abuse on mothers, infants, children & families and outline a plan for…
Working with Teen Victims: Tips for the Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse Cases
Brief Overview: Cases of child abuse involving a teenage victim presents its own unique challenges for prosecution. Understanding adolescent brain development is important for forensic interviewers as well as investigators and prosecutors. Preparing the case requires not only thorough investigation but thoughtful communication with a teen victim to obtain the facts of the crime and provide essential information about the prosecutor’s role and judicial process. This approach will facilitate building a strong criminal case for prosecution. Expert Presenter: Beth Merachnik, JD, serves as the Deputy Director of the Association of Prosecuting Attorney’s (APA) Child Abuse Prosecution Project. She is the…
What is Language Access? Why Does It Matter in a CAC?
Brief Overview: Language access encompasses a comprehensive framework of knowledge and practices that remove barriers and ensures meaningful access and effective communication. In this workshop participants will learn why language access matters and how it is connected to the comprehensive provision of victim services. Participants will discuss the importance of removing language barriers and examine what effective language access looks like within a CAC setting. Participants will learn how to design and implement a smooth process for providing language access throughout a CAC/MDT response to child victimization. Expert Presenter: Greg Flett, MSW, has over fifteen years of experience working with…
Elicit and Identify Protective Factors in Domestic Violence Cases Within the Forensic Interview
Brief Overview: This session’s goal is to bridge work of the Duluth Model Coordinated Community Response (CCR) in conjunction with the Child Advocacy Center model. Domestic violence and child abuse maltreatment co-occurrence is exceptionally high in child abuse investigations. These cases are further challenging due to intentional or unintentional contamination of memories ensuring secrecy by a batterer. Multi-disciplinary team members and systems partners may not recognize protective factors utilized by survivors and/or the non-offending caregiver. This session will incorporate research on protective measures and the experiences of domestic violence survivors from focus groups conducted in Duluth, MN. The session will…
Chaplains and CACs: Effective Collaborations to Address the Spiritual Impact of Abuse
Brief Overview: Dozens of studies have found that abused and neglected children are often impacted spiritually and that addressing these spiritual injuries can have a profound impact on the medical and mental health of a child. In 2013, GNCPTC proposed that CACs consider incorporating a chaplain into CAC or MDT responses to child abuse. The Julie Valentine Center in Greenville, South Carolina is the first CAC to hire a chaplain as a victim assistance specialist. This workshop will address the research that supports this work, how a CAC can incorporate a chaplaincy program, and lessons learned from JVC’s first year…