NANCY LAMB, JD; Assistant District Attorney (Ret)
Forensic interviewers are routinely subpoenaed to court for a variety of reasons in both criminal and civil court settings by both sides of the aisle. This workshop will explore how to prepare yourself to be an effective witness after the subpoena arrives no matter who has issued the subpoena, and how to most effectively present yourself in the courtroom so that you will be perceived as both a credible and knowledgeable witness. Emphasis will be placed on what you legally can and cannot testify to if qualified as an expert witness and what the qualification process entails, as well as practical strategies on how to handle yourself on the witness stand so as to maximize your credibility.
STACEY SULLIVAN, MS; Supervisory Special Agent, FBI
The perception held by many is that those in law enforcement often do not share information or work together. No matter how many investigations you have worked, each possesses its own unique quality. This presentation will highlight three major cases that were only successful because of those outstanding relationships between local, state and federal partners. The case studies will highlight how law enforcement, forensic interviewers, victim specialists, and NCMEC contributed to optimal outcomes.
GRACE STEWART, MA; Accord, LLC
CAC and community advocates bring diverse and targeted skills to families walking difficult paths. An advocate’s ability to utilize these skills appropriately can make an enormous difference in the lives of children and families. This workshop will explore five advocacy themes and strategies in developing your professional practice. Those being navigating crisis, cultivating empathy, empowering clients, engaging community partnerships, and nurturing professional boundaries
DINA GERBER, LCSW; Clinical Faculty, Center for Child & Family Health
What does trauma-informed practice look like? What are some steps you, your agency and your community can take to increase a trauma-informed lens and strengthen the resilience of children, families, and communities? This presentation will begin to answer these questions and provide time to reflect on what to focus on to consistently keep a trauma-informed lens when assessing actions and choices you make daily when working with others.
JODIE HIVELY, LMFT, MS.Ed; Forensic Interview Specialist, FBI
Understanding the process of utilizing an interpreter in a forensic interview is important for both the interviewer and interpreter. Both professions follow best practice policies according to their profession. Knowing how these two professions work together within the context of an investigative interview is imperative. This presentation will focus on the importance of neutrality, indirect translation, preparing for traumatic details and pre-interview conversations for both interpreter and interviewer.
STACEY SULLIVAN, MS; Supervisory Special Agent, FBI
Ever wondered what your children are really seeing on the Internet and how predators continue to find new ways to evade law enforcement? During this presentation, we will walk through some emerging trends on social media and what new apps you should be aware of. Understanding what the platforms are and their capabilities can save the life of a child. An in-depth case study will examine how a predator used social media to manipulate and victimize hundreds of children.
GRACE STEWART, MA; Accord, LLC
Families are not at the table for all of the work conducted by members of the MDT. When they are not present, it is you, the advocate, who serves as their representative. This workshop will explore three strategies to assist you in your efforts. Those being developing your voice in keeping the family’s experiences, concerns, and needs at the forefront of the team’s discussion, bringing awareness of the family’s needs, strengths, and barriers to the MDT members and facilitating their involvement in positive ways and finally, empowering the family to engage holistically and with dignity in the MDT response.
DINA GERBER, LCSW; Clinical Faculty, Center for Child & Family Health
For helping professionals working with or alongside children who have experienced trauma, secondary traumatic stress is an occupational hazard that impacts mental health, well-being, and longevity in the work. There is a need for individuals and organizations to understand the impacts of secondary traumatic stress and create detailed plans to support actions that can identify and build resiliency. This presentation will provide an overview of STS, the concepts of self-care and we-care and provide time to assess what is working well and what could be added to individual and organizational practices to reduce the effects of Secondary Traumatic Stress.
Boxed lunches are served with: individual bag of chips, lettuce tomato, whole fresh fruit, cookie and beverage.
JODIE HIVELY, LCSW, LMFT; Forensic Interview Specialist, FBI
Recent advancements in technology paired with the explosion of online gaming and social media platforms have cultivated interactive contexts that allow motivated predators to have frequent and often unfettered access to minors. Unfortunately, this combination of factors means that, globally, minors have become increasingly more vulnerable to technology-facilitated sex crimes (TFSC), including sexual exploitation, sextortion, and image-based sexual abuse. This presentation will include an exploration of TFSC, including perpetrators’ motives and methods, risk factors and the potential impact on victims; and brief discussion of statute-specific questions to assist with gathering investigatively-relevant information during forensic interviews.
DAVID BLAKE; Detective Sergeant, Davidson County Sheriff's Office
As parents, teachers, advocates, and trainers, we go to great lengths to educate kids about the dangers of the internet and the realities of what could possibly go wrong. However, the truth is, that the majority of the time, those incidents typically don’t occur. A child may get embarrassed by some of the things they shared online, but most of the time, there is no real physical trauma. As detectives or first responders, we have all worked on this type of investigation over and over again. But what about when the worst scenario does occur? This case study is an in-depth presentation of a real, live “Worst Case Scenario” and what was learned during the investigation
JEAN MANKOWSKI, PHD; Clinical Assistant Professor, UNC-Chapel Hill, Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities
Individuals with complex developmental differences are in all of our communities and are very often underserved. This session will review the most prevalent intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and how to recognize characteristics in children and adolescents. We will discuss when and where to refer individuals for evaluation and what type of referral will best needs meet their needs. Information will be provided about IEPs and 504 plans within the school and when to place a child on the Registry of Unmet Needs for the Innovations Waiver.
BETH BROWNING, MSN, FNP-C, SANE-A, SANE-P; Medical Provider, Southmountain Children & Family Services
This session will provide an overview of sexual abuse for non-medical MDT members, from a medical perspective. The session will explore elements of the medical evaluation for acute and non-acute sexual abuse, the basis for a clinical diagnosis, and common myths about sexual abuse and the medical evaluation. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss the interface of the medical evaluation and their professional discipline.
ANTOINETTE LASKEY, FAAP, MD, MPH, MBA; Division Chief, Center for Safe and Healthy Families, University of Utah
This session is meant for the non-medical members of the multidisciplinary team. We will discuss the basics of physical abuse, including cutaneous injuries, sentinel injuries, and fractures. In this discussion, we will explore relevant history to obtain from caregivers and corroborating witnesses, mechanisms of injury, other diagnoses to consider and possible accidental explanations. We will also review things that might look like abuse but have other explanations. Importantly, we will cover what to do medically if the case is first identified by a non-medical professional.
EVAN NICHOLAS, MA; Law Enforcement Outreach Lead - US, TikTok
Want to learn more about TikTok, what the app can do and how you as an investigator can collaborate with them to foster safer communities? Join the TikTok team for an in-depth walkthrough where they will cover all the TikTok app’s features. You will learn, as investigators, how you can submit a legal process and what to expect in your returns. The presenters will also discuss the different TikTok teams and how they are seeking to proactively build stronger relationships with the law enforcement community. This presentation is law enforcement sensitive.
JEAN MANKOWSKI, PHD; Clinical Assistant Professor, UNC-Chapel Hill, Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities
Statistics show individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) at much higher risk of abuse, neglect, violence, and trauma than typically developing children and adolescents. During this session participants will develop a better understanding of types of trauma and how trauma manifests in I/DD. We will review the complex nuances of trauma assessment in individuals with I/DDs including the screening process and when to refer for a professional evaluation. We will consider evidence-based practices to address trauma response and behavioral health needs in individuals with I/DDs from early childhood through adolescence.
JULIE SCHROER, BA; Training & Curriculum Coordinator, CACNC
GRACE STEWART, MA; Accord, LLC
Our service families have needs that are wide and varied. Each case takes an individualized approach within the context of needs, resources, CAC capacity and standards. This workshop will be a hands-on, peer-driven opportunity to take a look at your own practice and gain insights from your colleagues to continue your professional growth as an advocate.