DEANA JOY, BA, Executive Director, CACNC
The Art of Holding Fearless Dialogues in a Liminal Season - DR. REV. PERCY JOHNSON, JR., PhD, Counselor at New Horizons Counseling Center in GA
Fearless Dialogues is a system of creating space and a place where diverse human beings, voices, and experiences are brought together to engage one another communally with respect. Created by Emory University Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Gregory Clark Ellison II, it is based on the desire to create a covenant of trust and mutual respect between one another. This ancient and present-day desire is needed in a transitional period between what was and what is not yet. Exploring the tenets that have grounded and guided a nation and diverse people groups and the anxiety that occurs with unknowingness, this session will discuss ways of creating places where diversity can coexist.
PARTICIPANTS: All Attendees
Break @ 10:15 – 10:30 am
Resiliency 101: From Victim to Survivor - JULIE BRAND, MS, Counselor/Survivor – CAPER Consulting
Some victims of childhood abuse and trauma perpetuate the cycle of violence. Some victims do self-destruct. Yet others become safe, nurturing, emotionally healthy adults. How can we influence which path they will choose? This plenary session identifies seven key steps that can help victims to overcome trauma and to develop a “survivor’s perspective.” Attendees will learn how to use the “language of resiliency” to identify and to reinforce victims' strengths thereby positively impacting both their self-perceptions and their life scripts. Participants will learn how to foster resiliency in their clients’ lives and also in their own.
PARTICIPANTS: All Attendees
Lunch Break @ 12:00 – 1:30 pm
A Workshops @ 1:30 – 3:00 pm
A2. Journey of the Exploited Adolescent Through the System (Part 1 of 2) - Terrace Auditorium
HEATHER WALESKI, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, SANE-A, Medical Provider Atrium Health
TROY ARMSTRONG, AS, NCDOJ Investigator
This session will provide a case review of the medical care provided to an exploited adolescent from the initial presentation in the Emergency Department, through the CAC process, and focusing on the investigation law enforcement provides from the beginning of the case, until presentation to the District Attorney’s Office. This session will focus on best practice techniques for law enforcement in dealing with this challenging age group.
PARTICIPANTS: All Disciplines
A3. Understanding Trauma and the Effects of Traumatic Stress on Children and Families - RAYMOND TURPIN, PhD, Smoky Mountain Psychological Services, PLLC/Pearl Psychological Institute
Harrell Center Auditorium
In my roughly 30+ years of clinical experience, it has become clear to me that probably 80-90% of all mental illnesses (including addictions) are, at their root, caused by some traumatic loss or traumatic experience that was poorly understood and integrated. As a result, humans will develop various coping mechanisms to help them function in their everyday lives and these coping mechanisms often result in the kind of diagnosis they will likely receive from a clinician (depression, oppositional-defiant disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, etc.). Nevertheless, the primary etiology of their difficulties and often the hidden “driver” of their symptoms is rooted in previous trauma. In this workshop, we will examine the ways that trauma and traumatic stress can affect the human brain and body and how it can significantly interfere with healthy development in children and adolescents. We will also discuss how to interact with these trauma victims and their families in a way that can help minimize their distress and help the family get the support they will need to successfully navigate the challenges they are facing.
PARTICIPANTS: All Disciplines
Break @ 3:00 – 3:15 pm
B Workshops @ 3:15 – 4:45 pm
Harrell Center - 201
Intrapsychic wounds and interpersonal conflict from secondary and anticipatory trauma impact the way human beings see and interact with one another. These understandings contribute to biases and lead to violence against self and others. Exploring these tenets and dynamics, discussion will occur around how human beings place value on self and other human beings.
PARTICIPANTS: All Disciplines
HEATHER WALESKI, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, SANE-A, Medical Provider Atrium Health
TROY ARMSTRONG, AS, NCDOJ Investigator
HANDOUT
This session will provide a case review of the medical care provided to an exploited adolescent from the initial presentation in the Emergency Department, through the CAC process, and focusing on the investigation law enforcement provides from the beginning of the case, until presentation to the District Attorney’s Office. This session will focus on best practice techniques for law enforcement in dealing with this challenging age group.
PARTICIPANTS: All Disciplines
Harrell Center Auditorium
Evaluation
HANDOUT
Before the prohibition against studying these compounds occurred in the 1970s, psychedelics were being widely studied as adjuncts to psychotherapy in the treatment of depression, alcoholism, phobias, anxiety related to terminal illness, chronic pain and other potential applications. Despite very encouraging results in most studies, the social and cultural backlash against these medicines resulted in all research in the United States being halted by 1976. It would be 20 years before a scientist in the United States would receive permission from the FDA to conduct a scientific study with a psychedelic compound. This workshop will examine the resurgence of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy by focusing on the use of MDMA as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic, severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We will explore the history of MDMA as both a medicine and a recreational drug and discuss the results of the most recent FDA-approved research and why MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may be uniquely effective for the treatment of PTSD. In addition, we will learn about the current Expanded Access program of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD that is taking place in Waynesville and possible future directions for further research, training, and treatment.
PARTICIPANTS: All Disciplines
C Workshop @ 8:30 – 10:00 am
JESSICA GUICE-ALBRITTON, MSW, Social Work Practitioner, Program Manager, NC Child Medical Evaluation Program
AYANA BROWN, CMEP and RAMS Coordinator, NC Child Medical Evaluation Program
This session will provide an update from the NC Child Medical Evaluation Program.
PARTICIPANTS: All NCCMEP Rostered or Rostering Medical Providers
Break @ 10:00 – 10:15 am
D Workshops @ 10:15 – 11:45 am
HOLLI SINK, PHD, Licensed Psychologist, Chief Program Officer, Southmountain Children and Family Services
ROBIN SPICER, MS, LPA, LCMHC, Clinical Supervisor and Licensed Clinician, Southmountain Children and Family Services
This session will cover the referral and assessment procedures for mental health services utilized by Southmountain Children and Family Services. We will describe resources available for those working with CACs in NC and trauma-informed evidence-based treatments available. We will take a deeper dive into Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Problematic Sexual Behavior Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
PARTICIPANTS: All Disciplines
Terrace Auditorium
The FAN concept (Facilitating Attuned iNteractions) was created by Fussy Baby, a national home visiting model developed by Erikson Institute in Chicago. Erikson created an approach to family engagement and reflective practice called FAN. The FAN model has been adapted to support various family-based programs including child protective services, medical personnel, mental health professions, court systems, and child advocacy centers. During this training, attendees will be introduced to the FAN model and explore opportunities to improve engagement and communication with families through the ARC of Engagement and the Five Core Processes: 1) Mindful Self-Regulation, 2) Empathic Inquiry, 3) Collaborative Exploration, 4) Capacity Building, and 5) Integration.
PARTICIPANTS. All Disciplines
Harrell Center Auditorium
This training will take you through different levels of child abuse from abuse that leaves scars to abuse that causes severe brain injury and ultimately to abuse that ends in a child’s death. We will take a look at three different cases studies with varying degrees of medical injury and learn how to prove the abuse by looking through the lens of a medical expert.
PARTICIPANTS: All Disciplines
Lunch Break @ 11:45 am – 1:15 pm
E Workshops @ 1:15 – 2:45 pm
DEANA LASHLEY, MD, Child Safety Team Mission Children’s Specialists
CYNTHIA BROWN, MD, Child Safety Team Mission Children’s Specialists
This session will focus on the medical assessment and management of child physical abuse.
PARTICIPANTS: Medical Providers. Other Disciplines Welcome to Attend.
Harrell Center 105
This 2-part workshop is designed to help build awareness, knowledge, and skills in developing/implementing inclusive and responsive environments that allow for better service to all persons. The sessions will focus on understanding of one’s own culture/identity within a larger social structure and the daily impact on work awareness, acknowledgment of differences, disparities, knowledge, and skills for navigating the dynamics of different strategies for building organizational capacity to practice cultural competency. The first session is the introductory level, and the second session will delve more deeply into group exercises to examine one’s personal cultural competence.
PARTICIPANTS: All Disciplines
Terrace Auditorium
The FAN concept (Facilitating Attuned iNteractions) was created by Fussy Baby, a national home visiting model developed by Erikson Institute in Chicago. Erikson created an approach to family engagement and reflective practice called FAN. The FAN model has been adapted to support various family-based programs including child protective services, medical personnel, mental health professions, court systems, and child advocacy centers. During this training, attendees will be introduced to the FAN model and explore opportunities to improve engagement and communication with families through the ARC of Engagement and the Five Core Processes: 1) Mindful Self-Regulation, 2) Empathic Inquiry, 3) Collaborative Exploration, 4) Capacity Building, and 5) Integration.
PARTICIPANTS: All Disciplines
Break @ 2:45 – 3:00 pm
F Workshops @ 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Harrell Center 105
This 2-part workshop is designed to help build awareness, knowledge, and skills in developing/implementing inclusive and responsive environments that allow for better service to all persons. The sessions will focus on understanding of one’s own culture/identity within a larger social structure and the daily impact on work awareness, acknowledgment of differences, disparities, knowledge, and skills for navigating the dynamics of different strategies for building organizational capacity to practice cultural competency. The first session is the introductory level, and the second session will delve more deeply into group exercises to examine one’s personal cultural competence.
PARTICIPANTS: All Disciplines
ASHLEY FIORE, MSW, LCSW, Training faculty for the NC Child Treatment Program at Duke University's Center for Child and Family Health
ANDIE MORGENLANDER, BA, , Head creative producer at Justice Film Collective
JOSHUA OVERBAY, MFA, BA, Assistant Professor of Film at Western Carolina University and producer at Justice Film Collective
Physical discipline is legal in all 50 states yet is associated with negative outcomes for children. This presentation includes an overview of the problem and viewing a documentary film, “Spare the Child”. This film was produced by one of the presenters about the impact of childhood physical punishment on three adults. After the screening, we will have group discussion about the issue, how it is embedded in our culture, and brainstorm ways CAC’s can help inspire and guide parents to consider alternatives.
PARTICIPANTS: All Disciplines
G Workshops @ 8:30 – 10:00 am
G-MED. Expert Medical Witness Testimony in Child Maltreatment Cases - NANCY LAMB, JD, CAC Attorney for Southmountain Children and Family Services
Terrace 319
This session will introduce new medical providers to the role of the judicial system and their involvement in cases being prosecuted. All newly rostered medical providers who have not had previous training on providing expert medical testimony should attend this session.
PARTICIPANTS: Medical and Nursing Providers
Terrace Auditorium
This presentation will provide a brief overview of Alternatives for Families Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT), an evidence-based treatment model CAC clinicians should consider adding to their professional toolboxes. Whereas TF-CBT includes the non-offending caregiver in treatment for past childhood trauma, AF-CBT engages the “offending” caregiver in treatment for cases involving physical abuse. AF-CBT is designed to help families who have heightened conflict, fighting, or frequently use force/coercion to expand their skills and more effectively communicate and solve problems. A case presentation will be used to illustrate interventions and topics addressed by AF-CBT.
PARTICIPANTS: All Disciplines
Harrell Center Auditorium
Male victims can experience overwhelming gender bias when disclosing sexual abuse, whether their perpetrator is male or female. This program discusses male sexual victimization, the unique challenges men face and the myths that keep male victims silent. It is both research-based and survivor-informed. We’ll discover how “The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study” validates what many professionals have long believed about both the frequency and the resulting trauma of male sexual victimization. We’ll offer specific trauma informed approaches to working with male victims—from disclosure to therapy. Resources for male survivors will be shared.
PARTICIPANTS: All Disciplines
Harrell Center 201
This presentation will focus on new case law, new statutes, and other legal “hot topics” in the world of criminal child maltreatment.
PARTICIPANTS: LE, Prosecutors, and Interviewers
Break @ 10:00 – 10:15 am
H Workshop @ 10:15 – 11:45 am (CLOSING PLENARY) - Harrell Center Auditorium
MICHELE THAMES, M.Ed., Executive Director of SafeSpot Children’s Advocacy Center in Fairfax, VA.
JESSICA GREIS-EDWARDSON, JD, Consultant
Evaluation
This presentation is the culmination of years working in a system that is life changing, ever-changing and heart breaking all at the same time. Attendees will interact with other professionals and discuss challenges. The daily challenges of conducting investigations and interventions of children that have been brutalized is not only tough on your brain, it also makes an impression on your consciousness. The impact of this work may not be apparent at the start of your career and the effect of hearing thousands of stories of abused and neglected children isn’t discussed frequently, candidly, and openly. Presenters will address taking care of yourself not only in the workplace but also your personal life and tactics to ensure longevity in the field.
PARTICIPANTS: All Attendees