All Sessions

Listed alphabetically by Session title

Please click on the Session title for description

In person ONLY sessions are in blue font

In person and recorded sessions are in red font

* Continuing Education credits are pending if not already listed

The conference is conducted to provide training to those working with Child Advocacy Centers and their multi-disciplinary partners, including the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, social work, behavioral health, forensic interviewing, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime. We reserve the right to limit attendance based on discipline/job position for certain sessions, as indicated in the individual session descriptions.

Session

Speaker(s)

Recording Available?

Continuing Education*

Sharon Cooper (Developmental and Forensic Pediatrics, P.A.)

In person only

1.5 APSC credit hours

Lori Frasier (Penn State Hershey College of Medicine)

In person only. Note: Restricted attendee type (see session description)

1.5 APSC credit hours

1.5 General CLE credit

Staci Whitney (Modell Consulting)

In person only

6 APSC credit hours

Natalia Ramos (UCLA)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

0.5 Ethics CLE credit

Christina Love (Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

1.5 General CLE credit

Natalia Ramos (UCLA)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

Darrel Turner (Turner Forensic Psychology and Consultation)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

Natalia Ramos (UCLA)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

Mat-Su Valley Drug Endangered Children’s MDT facilitated by Virginia Moring

In person and recorded

Mary Clyde Pierce (Professor of Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University)

Virtual streamed live

1.5 APSC credit hours

Pam Karalunas (Karalunas Consulting)

In person and recorded

1 APCS credit hour

Christine Fontaine (South Peninsula Hospital) and Cathy Baldwin-Johnson (The Children’s Place)

In person only. Note: Restricted attendee type (see session description)

1.5 APSC credit hours

Sharon Cooper (Developmental and Forensic Pediatrics, P.A.)

In person only

1.5 APSC credit hours

Roxanne Grobbel (Insight Counseling Center)

In person only

3 APSC credit hours

Josh Louwerse (Covenant House)

In Person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

1.5 General CLE credit

Jerri Sites (Child Protection Concepts LLC)

In person only

1.5 APSC credit hours

1.5 General CLE credit

Cory Jewell Jensen (CBI Consulting, Inc.)

In person only. Note: Restricted attendee type (see session description).

1.5 APSC credit hours

1.5 General CLE credit

Cathy Baldwin-Johnson (The Children’s Place)

In person only

1.5 APSC credit hours

Darrel Turner (Turner Forensic Psychology and Consultation)

In person only. Note: Restricted attendee type (see session description)

1.5 APSC credit hours

1.5 General CLE credit

Darrel Turner (Turner Forensic Psychology and Consultation)

In person only. Note: Restricted attendee type (see session description)

1.5 APSC credit hours

1.5 General CLE credit

Roxanne Grobbel (Insight Counseling Center)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

Jaime Browning (Strengthening Families LLC)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

1.5 General CLE credit

Joe Laramie (Fox Valley Technical College)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

Lori Frasier (Penn State Hershey College of Medicine)

In Person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

James Fitterling (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, former UAA professor)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

1.5 General CLE credit

Staci Whitney (Modell Consulting)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

Staci Whitney (Modell Consulting)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

1.5 General CLE credit

Tara Christiansen-Stiller, Eliza Posner (Alaska Children’s Trust)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

Cory Jewell Jensen (CBI Consulting, Inc.)

In person only

1.5 APSC credit hours

Jerri Sites (Child Protection Concepts LLC)

In Person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

1.5 General CLE credit

Christina Love (Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault)

In person and recorded

1 APSC credit hour

Catherine Holt (Alaska Cares)

In person and recorded

Darrel Turner (Turner Forensic Psychology and Consultation)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

1.5 General CLE credit

Andrew Lambert, Brittany Dunlop, Lori Frasier

In person only. Note: Restricted attendee type (see session description)

6.5 APSC credit hours

Cory Jewell Jensen (CBI Consulting, Inc.)

In person only

1.5 APSC credit hours

1.5 General CLE credit

Cory Jewell Jensen (CBI Consulting, Inc.)

In person only

6.5 APSC credit hours

Joe Laramie (Fox Valley Technical College)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

1.5 General CLE credit

Roxanne Grobbel (Insight Counseling Center)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

Cathy Baldwin-Johnson (The Children’s Place)

In person only

1.5 APSC credit hours

Sharon Cooper (Developmental and Forensic Pediatrics, P.A.)

In person only

1.5 APSC credit hours

Lauralee Peterson (Central Peninsula CAC)

In person only

1.5 APSC credit hours

Lola Tobuk (Nome Eskimo Community) and Jaime Browning (Strengthening Families LLC)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

0.5 General CLE credit hours

Jerri Sites (Child Protection Concepts LLC)

In Person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

Bethel MDT

In person and recorded

Joe Laramie (Fox Valley Technical College)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

Christina Love (Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

Lori Frasier (Penn State Hershey College of Medicine)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

Leigh Bolin (Resource Center for Parents and Children) and JT Bolin (Tanana Chiefs Conference)

In person and recorded

1.5 APSC credit hours

Bruises- Ten 4 FACES P



Tuesday, November 15

}

1:45 PM - 3:15 PM

Live Streaming

Mary Clyde Pierce

Attending Physician, Emergency Medicine Professor of Pediatrics (Emergency Medicine) and Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

This talk will review the most common injury findings prior to a fatal or near fatal case of child abuse and will discuss different bruising and history characteristics that can help improve recognition of the absurd child. The bruising clinical decision rule, TEN-4-FACESp will be discussed and reviewed with case examples for illustrative purposes.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session the learner will be able to describe:

The 3 most common skin findings that help differentiate abuse from accidental injury in young children.
The 2 most common errors that occur prior to a fatal or near fatal event from child abuse.
What the acronym TEN-4-FACESp represents and it’s strengths and limitations for identifying abused children.

Interesting and Challenging Medical Cases



Wednesday, November 16

}

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

In person

Cathy Baldwin-Johnson

Medical Director, The Children’s Place, CARES

This workshop will allow the opportunity for medical providers around the state to share interesting and/or challenging cases for review and discussion by attendees.

Learning Objectives:

Have exposure to findings they may not have seen before.
Share thoughts and ideas with peers.
Increase confidence in diagnostic acumen in future cases.

Strangulation as a Form of Child Abuse



Tuesday, November 15

}

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

In person

Cathy Baldwin-Johnson

Medical Director, The Children’s Place, CARES

This case-based presentation will review the clinical ways in which children who have been strangled may present and the anatomic and physiologic differences between child and adult victims. Known risks and complications based on current literature will be reviewed. Finally, we will use recent studies to discuss a rational approach to the medical evaluation and imaging of children who have been strangled.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize common signs and symptoms of children who have been strangled.
Utilize developmentally appropriate medical history questions to guide what work up is needed.
Develop a rational approach for imaging of strangled children when clinically indicated.

Pathway to Hope- indigenous approach to healing child sexual abuse in rural AK



Tuesday, November 15

}

10:45 AM - 12:15 PM

In person, Recorded

Tara Christiansen-Stiller

Program Director, Alaska Children’s Trust

Eliza Posner

Program Specialist, Alaska Children’s Trust

Pathway to Hope (PTH) is a community-led framework to heal and prevent child sexual abuse (CSA) in Alaska Native communities. The program was first developed in 2004 by Alaska Native stakeholders, with Diane Payne at the Tribal Law and Policy Institute. Pathway to Hope seeks to help communities break the silence surrounding CSA, promote healing for survivors, and prevent future abuse. The Alaska Children’s Trust is working with an Alaska Native Advisory group and the program’s original faculty to revitalize this important project. Unlike many canned public health programs that seek to prevent CSA through “evidence-based” models but lack cultural relevancy, Pathway to Hope is a promising framework that integrates and supports Alaska Native cultural practices, values, and ways of healing. It works because it allows communities to drive the healing and prevention strategies as they see fit. PTH recognizes that most sustainable prevention and healing frameworks for Alaska Native (AN) communities are created by community members, not outsiders. Therefore, PTH trains Community Facilitators who implement the program in their communities to give each AN community ownership of its journey towards healing and thriving. PTH Community Facilitators begin by conducting community readiness assessments, then bring the community together to implement strategies appropriate to that readiness level. The project is unique in that it is flexible to meet the unique needs and readiness of each community. PTH helps communities explore the impact of unresolved trauma on the safety of children today, understand CSA in Alaska, recognize the barriers preventing communities from acknowledging and addressing CSA, and, ultimately, design and implement strategies to prevent CSA and promote healing.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will learn about the revitalized project, Pathway to Hope, which works to help communities heal from unresolved trauma and develop strategies to prevent abuse.
Participants will understand the relationship between unresolved trauma and adverse childhood experiences (particularly CSA) in Alaska.
Participants will learn how communities can apply to be trained in the Pathway to Hope project.

Opening Keynote: Recovery and Healing are Always Possible: NO MATTER WHAT!



Wednesday, November 16

}

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

In person, Recorded

Christina Love

Senior Specialist, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Christina Love learned to keep a lifetime of violence a secret for over two decades. Like many survivors, she turned to alcohol and drugs as a way to cope with trauma. As an adult Christina experienced homelessness. She found herself a shell of the human she once was and unable to recognize her reflection in the mirror. She was often denied access to the services that were designed to help. This form of systemic abuse not only retraumatized her but was its own trauma. Through the art and tradition of storytelling, Christina Love will recall harmful events as a child and adult. She will also tell stories of what services, practices, and words empowered healing and hope. In this fifth segment of our ongoing series, Christina will weave together each of the previous topics, that include: the importance of understanding how our history of violence has laid the groundwork for the injustices we see today, the multiple layers of trauma that each survivor can experience, the intersection of substance use and trauma, the liberation of education and the power of community and connection. Christina wants the world to know that recovery and healing are possible “NO MATTER WHAT” and that each life is worthy of our time and efforts!

Learning Objectives:

Participants will better understand how the history of violence has laid the groundwork for the injustices we see today.
Participants will better understand the multiple layers of trauma that each survivor can experience.
Participants will better understand the intersection of substance use and trauma.
Participants will better understand the liberation of education and the power of community and connection.

Understanding the Nexus of Violence and the Science of Addiction



Tuesday, November 15

}

1:45 PM - 3:15 PM

In person, Recorded

Christina Love

Senior Specialist, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Many people do not understand why or how people become addicted. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their use simply by choice. Studies of trauma and substance use show a strong association between the two.

Drug addiction is a complex issue, and access to resources takes more than good intentions or a strong will.

Drugs change the brain in ways that makes addiction an equity issue.

Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain.

Many people do not understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to do so. In reality, drug addiction is a complex issue, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Studies of interpersonal trauma and substance use show a strong association between the two. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to quit. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will learn the science of trauma and addiction.
Understand of why substance use disorders are a disease of the brain as well as a disability.
Learn about the cycles and stages of addiction and explore addiction as an issue of disparity.
Identify pathways of recovery.

America’s History and Legacy of Violence



Wednesday, November 16

}

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

In person, Recorded

Christina Love

Senior Specialist, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Why are women abused more than men? Why are Native American, and our LGBTQ2S relatives physically and sexually assaulted at much higher rates than any other demographic? This training answers our biggest questions by exploring the roots of violence that have led to a culture of abuse and violence.

This training will examine the history of genocide, colonization, assimilation, and the anti-violence movement. Viewers will learn how gender-based and race-based oppression and violence intersect leading to higher rates of victimization and lethality. We hope people will walk away with a holistic view of indigenous culture and the impact these issues have on every aspect of their life and community for generations.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize the history of genocide, colonization, assimilation, and the anti-violence movement.
Learn how gender-based and race-based oppression and violence intersect leading to higher rates of victimization and lethality.
Learn about holistic view of indigenous culture and the impact these issues have on every aspect of their life and community for generations.

Ending Exploitation in Alaska



Thursday, November 17

}

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

In person, Recorded

Josh Louwerse

Program Director, Convenant House, Alaska

The Ending Exploitation in Alaska Presentation will cover, Definitions and Language, Stereotypes, Intersections of Abuse, Processes used by Traffickers, Human Trafficking in Alaska, Survivor Identification and Engagement, Covenant House Alaska’s Program Response.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will learn the definitions of Human Trafficking.
Participants will learn about Human Trafficking in Alaska.
Participants will learn how to identify and engage with survivor’s of Human Trafficking.

Approaches to Somatic Symptoms in Children with Traumatic Stress



Wednesday, November 16

}

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

In person, Recorded

Natalia Ramos

Assistant Clinical Professor at Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine

Children experience high rates of physical symptoms like stomachaches and headaches, which often worsen with stress and trauma. This talk will explore connections between stress and physical symptoms and review cognitive-behavioral strategies for supporting children in decreasing distress and improving functioning. Individual and caregiver strategies will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

Explain the connection between stressful events in childhood and body symptoms.
Define traumatic stress and understand its biological and psychological effects on numerous organ systems in the body.
Outline evidence-based strategies for helping children and families manage acute and chronic body symptoms, especially pain.

Identifying Corroborative Evidence from the Forensic Interview



Tuesday, November 15

}

10:45 AM - 12:15 PM

In person

Jerri Sites

Child Protection Concepts LLC

This case study illustrates the dynamics of abuse and the importance of identifying corroborative evidence from the child forensic interview. By viewing videoclips of the forensic interview of a 12 year old victim of child sexual abuse, participants will engage in a process by which they not only focus on the child’s disclosure of abuse and possible physical evidence, but also identify the dynamics of the child victim’s relationship with the offender, offender manipulation, and other points to be corroborated.

Learning Objectives:

Identify different types of evidence revealed in child sexual abuse cases.
Discuss the importance of corroboration in child sexual abuse cases.
Practice identifying corroborate evidence from the child forensic interview.

The MDT/CAC Response to Children with Problematic Sexual Behavior



Tuesday, November 15

}

1:45 PM - 3:15 PM

In person, Recorded

Jerri Sites

Child Protection Concepts LLC

Cases of children ages 12 and younger with problematic sexual behavior (PSB) can present a myriad of challenges for multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs). Fortunately, the MDT approach and the CAC model are ideal vehicles for development and implementation of an integrated and comprehensive systems approach to cases of children with PSB, recipient children, and their families. This course will review recommendations designed to guide and support MDTs and CACs to enhance current practices, improve professional response, and promote positive outcomes for children with PSB, children impacted by the PSB, and their families. Participants should have an understanding of children’s sexual behaviors and the dynamics of these cases for this workshop.

Learning Objectives:

Identify historical assumptions related to children with problematic sexual behaviors.
Identify the elements of the continuum of the sexual behaviors.
Identify person-first language and terminology related to children with problematic sexual behaviors.
Identify four areas in which MDTs and CACs can enhance professional response to children with PSB and their families.
Identify available resources that support MDTs and CACs in providing a comprehensive response to children with PSB, recipient children, and their families.

Recantation: Recommendations for the MDT and CAC Response



Wednesday, November 16

}

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

In person, Recorded

Jerri Sites

Child Protection Concepts LLC

Recantation is prevalent in child sexual abuse cases, especially when the abuser is someone close to the family or from within the home. This session will provide research-based information focusing on identifying risk factors and ways to prevent recantation, practical steps for the MDT to take in the event recantation does occur, including decision making regarding the need for and how to conduct a recantation forensic interview. Participants should have an understanding of the dynamics of abuse and children’s process of disclosure for this workshop.

Learning Objectives:

Identify risk factors for recantation
Discuss steps the MDT/CAC can take to reduce the risk for recantation
Using cases studies, discuss ways the team can prevent recantation and address it when it occurs.

Best Practices for Working with Parents and Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Youth



Tuesday, November 15

}

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

In person, Recorded

Natalia Ramos

Assistant Clinical Professor at Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine

This talk focuses on predictors of long-term psychosocial outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth, exploring key protective and risk factors related to caregiver and family environments. Attendees will learn skills for working with caregivers at various stages of understanding. Specific skills addressed include: normalizing parental reactions to children’s identities; identifying personal (caregiver), family, and child strengths; and concrete skills families can use to communicate supportively with their youth. This talk will include a 60 minute presentation and 30 minute audience Q&A. This talk will include a 60 minute presentation and 30 minute audience Q&A.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the effects of family support and/or rejection on psychosocial outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth.
Learn concrete strategies for working with parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth who present in care settings.
Increase knowledge of available resources for LGBTQ+ clients and their families.

Affirming Trauma Informed Care for Gender Diverse Youth: Tips and Best Practices



Tuesday, November 15

}

10:45 AM - 12:15 PM

In person, Recorded

Natalia Ramos

Assistant Clinical Professor at Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine

The number of youth presenting for care related to their gender identity is consistently increasing. Due to a number of inequities faced, gender diverse youth experience increases rates of negative psychosocial outcomes, including depression, self injury, suicidality, anxiety, substance use, and low school performance. Appropriate evaluation, treatment, and support improve the mental health and wellbeing of gender diverse patients. This talk will cover key concepts and language related to gender, best communication practices for working with clients, and key topics around risk and confidentiality.
This talk will include a 60 minute presentation and 30 minute audience Q&A.

Learning Objectives:

Increase competency and comfort in discussing sexual orientation and gender identity with your clients.
Learn key principles of the gender-affirmative model of care and how to integrate them into trauma-informed care.
Learn about relevant protocols and clinical guidelines for working with gender diverse patients across the lifespan.

Emerging Issues in the Field of Forensic Interviewing



Wednesday, November 16

}

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

In person

Rita Farrell

Director, ChildFirst for Zero Abuse Project

Note: This session is open to those working with Child Advocacy Centers and their multi-disciplinary partners, including the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, social work, behavioral health, forensic interviewing, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime. Attendance for this session is not open to defense attorneys and defense psychology experts.

This presentation will discuss the emerging issues in the field of forensic interviewing including, follow-up interviews, child abuse and the pandemic, professional development, manipulation and grooming, diagrams, discuss new research, best practice and provide opportunity for open forum of questions from forensic interviewers and investigators.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will discuss best practices in the field of forensic interviewing.
Participants will understand the new and emerging issues in the field of forensic interviewing including follow-up interviews, child abuse and the pandemic, professional development, manipulation and grooming, diagrams, and new research.
Participants will have a forum to discuss practices, questions and discuss concrete solutions.

The “Perp” is Just a Child. Now What? (Lunch panel)



Tuesday, November 15

}

12:15 PM - 1:45 PM

In person, Recorded

Amber Chung

Forensic Interviewer and SART Social Worker, Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation

Krystal Henry

Irniamta Ikayurviat, Bethel Children’s Advocacy Center Program Director

Zach Johnson

Office of Children’s Services

Jennifer Prince

Medical Director of CMT, SART & STAR for Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation

Farah Sears

Assistant Medical Director of CMT, SART & STAR for Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation

Rodney Thomas

Department of Juvenile Justice – Probation Supervisor

Teague Widmier

Alaska State Troopers – Sergeant

Bethel MDT

Child-on-child cases of sexual abuse can be extremely challenging. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) reports Youth with Problematic Sexualized Behavior (YPSB) commit more than one third of sexual offenses committed against minors. However, children with problematic sexual behavior are first and foremost children. Misinformation often leads the public, and even professionals, to negatively label these children, offering little hope for change. Learn how the YK Delta MDT has come together to understand the dynamics of YPSB and strategize how best to service these youth, the children impacted, and the families involved.

Learning Objectives:

Define problematic sexual behaviors (PSB).
Understanding the difference between health, age-appropriate expressions of sexuality and PSB.
Discern myths about YPSB from facts about YPSB.
Differentiate between children and adolescents with PSB and adult sex offenders.
Recognize safety concerns related to children and adolescent with PSB.
Discuss models for MDTS to approach YPSB.
Identify appropriate treatments for YPSB.

Interviewing Reluctant Children



Wednesday, November 16

}

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

In person

Rita Farrell

Director, ChildFirst for Zero Abuse Project

Note: This session is open to those working with Child Advocacy Centers and their multi-disciplinary partners, including the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, social work, behavioral health, forensic interviewing, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime. Attendance for this session is not open to defense attorneys and defense psychology experts.

Children face many barriers when disclosing child abuse and maltreatment. Research tells us that even in cases where there is external corroborating evidence children only disclose 42-50% of the time in the formal interview. This training provides guidance on how to address reluctance in the forensic interview process, specifically with regard to the multidisciplinary team response, how to prepare children and families for our process and strategies for the interview.

Learning Objectives:

Help forensic interviewers and multidisciplinary teams understand why reluctance occurs and identify factors that contribute to reluctance in cases.
Increase understanding of the barriers to disclosure and how to address those dynamics before, during and after the forensic interview process.
Provide interview strategies and techniques for addressing reluctance in the forensic interview.

Resilience As Life Force



Wednesday, November 16

}

3:15 PM - 4:45 PM

In person, Recorded

Catherine Holt

Therapist, CARES

Resilience is our ability to adapt well and recover quickly during and after adverse situations, navigate through stressful times, and face traumatic events with healthy outcomes. It is what allows us to maintain our buoyancy with a healthy level of physical and psychological wellness in the face of life’s greatest hardships. When our resilience is compromised we are more likely to dwell on problems, feel overwhelmed, use unhealthy coping tactics to handle stress, develop anxiety and depression, and withdraw from our personal and professional lives. Resilience is developed by training our cognitive abilities to focus on more-positive aspects of any situation, supporting our emotional well-being, taking care of our bodies, and finding meaning in our lives. Just like we exercise to build muscle strength, we can use that same intentional behavior to “beef up” our resilience. Reliance training will improve resiliency, enhance quality of life, and decrease stress and anxiety by practicing how to view life’s inevitable challenges as opportunities as we face them from a place of personal strength. As our resiliency strengthens, we are better equipped to be present for our clients and communities as well as for our families and ourselves.

Learning Objectives:

Understanding that resiliency is not just self care but an actual bio-neurological occurrence that is either supported or damaged with every experience and we have the ability to build strong resilience.
Explore the empirically based strategies that build resiliency and learn what to do and what not to do in the face of adversity.
Develop your own unique resiliency plan using self assessments and goal setting.

Truths About Youth and Technology



Wednesday, November 16

}

3:15 PM - 4:45 PM

In person, Recorded

Joe Laramie

Program Manager, National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College

In an age where technology is in the hands of youth of all ages, the dangers of abuse can affect any child, from any background. These dangers, ranging from cyberbullying to self-victimization (sexting) to sexual exploitation (sextortion) and sexual abuse can be difficult to address. This presentation will focus on our perceptions versus reality for youth’s use of technology, and how it influences how adults speak with youth about their tech usage. The presentation will conclude with tips on effective technology safety and prevention messaging.

Learning Objectives:

Describe how youth use technology.
Explain teen’s risks versus reward perspective.
Define Sexting and Sextortion.
Identify effective technology safety messaging.

Physical Abuse and Polyvictimization: Interviewing Strategies



Wednesday, November 16

}

3:15 PM - 4:45 PM

In person

Rita Farrell

Director, ChildFirst for Zero Abuse Project

Note: This session is open to those working with Child Advocacy Centers and their multi-disciplinary partners, including the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, social work, behavioral health, forensic interviewing, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime. Attendance for this session is not open to defense attorneys and defense psychology experts.

The Adverse Childhood Experiences study (ACES) indicates to us that 66% of children experiencing one adverse childhood experience will be experiencing at least one other. Recognizing the prevalence of polyvictimization, this training will better prepare forensic interviewers to appropriately respond to disclosures of multiple forms of maltreatment in the forensic interview and screen for forms of maltreatment not previously disclosed. In addition, this training specifically looks at research with physical abuse cases and provides suggestions on addressing this form of maltreatment with interviewing strategies.

Learning Objectives:

Increase the understanding of how polyvictimization impacts children, families and our cases.
Increase the understanding of research relating to physical abuse allegations and children’s disclosures.
Practice addressing polyvictimization in the forensic interview through case example exercises.

Sex Offenders 101



Thursday, November 17

}

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

In person

Cory Jewell Jensen

Senior Trainer, CBI Consulting

This presentation will provide a brief review of some of the formation covered in Friday’s full day session regarding the various types of sexually criminal behavior, the rate of undetected sexual crimes occurring in our communities, the actual rates of “false allegation,” “cross-over” behavior and re-offense rates among sex offenders. In addition, information about the strategies sex offenders report using to target certain victims and “get away with it” will be addressed. Participants will have a chance to watch several video-taped interviews with sexual offenders about “how and why” they committed sexual crimes.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will develop an understanding of the process involved developing a sexual interest/preference for children and the pro-offending attitudes that support and allow for child sex abuse and other criminal sexual behavior.
Participants will gain information about the typical number and patterns involved in undetected sexual crimes committed by sex offenders.
Participants will gain information about some of the unique differences between male and female, adult and juvenile sex offenders.

Abusive Head trauma: Truth, Lies, Myths and Reality



Thursday, November 17

}

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

In person

Lori Frasier

MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Penn State Children’s Hospital

Note: This session is open to those working with Child Advocacy Centers and their multi-disciplinary partners, including the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, social work, behavioral health, forensic interviewing, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime. Attendance for this session is not open to defense attorneys and defense psychology experts.

This presentation will discuss the current state of the medicine and science in the evaluation of head trauma. The presenter will discuss common presentations, discussion of basic mechanics of head trauma, and sorting out other conditions and accidents from what might be abusive head trauma in infants and children. Common legal arguments against the concepts of Abusive Head Trauma will be discussed and literature-based approaches to these arguments.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize the most common presentations of Abusive Head trauma.
Discuss additional medical evaluations that can be done to support or exclude the diagnosis of abusive head trauma.
Describe frequent legal arguments presented in cases of Abusive Head trauma and the literature which supports or refutes these arguments.

Investigative Response to Juvenile Perpetrated Child Abuse



Thursday, November 17

}

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

In person, Recorded

Joe Laramie

Program Manager, National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College

This workshop will identify child-centered investigative protocols for law enforcement and CPS when responding to reports of a juvenile (adolescent and younger children) perpetrated child sexual abuse or exploitation. Discussion will include how the expanded use of technology by minors has led to an increase in facilitated and learned behaviors and the importance of identifying these outside influences.

Learning Objectives:

Define child-centered investigation.
Describe juvenile perpetrated child sexual abuse.
Identify technology facilitated child exploitation.

Narrative Practice Considerations for Children with Disabilities



Thursday, November 17

}

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

In person, Recorded

Staci Whitney

LMSW, Senior Director, Modell Consulting

This workshop is intended for multidisciplinary professionals who wish to expand their understanding of utilizing narrative event practice and narrative prompts when interviewing children with disabilities. Recent research indicates that children with disabilities have greater capacity for narratives than was previously understood. Participants will learn more about building narratives using the narrative mapping funnel and how to gather reliable information from children with disabilities.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will learn communication considerations when interviewing children with disabilities.
Participants will be able to describe accommodations that can be made when interviewing children with disabilities.
Participants will have increased understanding of how best practices in interviewing can be applied to interviewing children with disabilities.

Protecting Our Children: “Advice From Child Molesters”- A Child Safety and Crime Prevention Program



Thursday, November 17

}

10:45 AM - 12:15 PM

In person

Cory Jewell Jensen

Senior Trainer, CBI Consulting

Participants will have an opportunity to review Oregon’s grassroots prevention project – “Protecting our Children: Advice From Child Molesters.” Initially developed by two veteran sex offender treatment providers, “PYC” has grown into a multi-state, multi-disciplinary child abuse prevention campaign. The project was designed to educate parents, youth service staff, educators, community volunteers and the faith community about child sexual abuse, offender behavior, risk management and more effective prevention strategies. Workshops challenge public misperceptions about children’s ability to protect themselves and promote the idea that all adults must be informed and take an active role in confronting offender behavior and promoting child safety. Information about grooming behavior, Internet crimes, victim advocacy, reporting, sexual behavior between children and talking to children about child sexual abuse are covered. Potential project benefits such as jury education and early intervention with potential offenders are expected. Classes are taught by child abuse detectives, child/victim advocates, prosecutors, probation/parole officers and sex offender treatment providers.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will understand some of the deficits inherent in early models of child sex abuse prevention models.
Participants will be able to describe the benefits derived from adult focused child abuse prevention education.
Participants will be able to describe some of the problems related to promoting adult focused child abuse prevention education.

Updates for Sexual Abuse Evaluation and Treatment, including sexually transmitted diseases



Thursday, November 17

}

10:45 AM - 12:15 AM

In person, Recorded

Lori Frasier

MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Penn State Children’s Hospital

This session will review the state of the art and medicine in sexual abuse evaluations, and review updates in the testing and interpretation of testing for sexually transmitted diseases. The presenter will provide an updated literature review, and case based presentations to illustrate the concepts.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize the standard approach to the medical examination in sexual abuse in 2022.
Know when to test for Sexually Transmitted diseases.
Discuss interpretation of sexual abuse cases based upon presentation, presence or absence of physical findings, and laboratory testing, if indicated.

Social Media and Privacy Issues



Thursday, November 17

}

10:45 AM - 12:15 PM

In person, Recorded

Joe Laramie

Program Manager, National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College

With the ever-increasing use of social media, professionals should be aware of the potential dangers involving the blurred lines between personal and professional use of social media. The Plain View Project and recent social issues highlighted the increased scrutiny of law enforcement, including their personal social media posts. This presentation will discuss how to avoid professional embarrassment, such as witness impeachment or discipline, along with personal or family risks due to social media posts. Resources to assist in the development of agency policies, social media privacy and removal tips will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

Describe 1st Amendment restrictions for government and other employees.
Define the “Brady and Giglio Rules”.
Identify social media dynamics and methods to remove data.

Overcoming Blocks and Barriers for Children with Disabilities



Thursday, November 17

}

10:45 AM - 12:15 AM

In person, Recorded

Staci Whitney

LMSW, Senior Director, Modell Consulting

Have you ever been interviewing a child with disabilities and felt stuck? When that little voice in your head says “Oh no, what do I do now?” or even worse “this interview is over” you may have more options than you think. This workshop is intended to introduce multidisciplinary team members to new ways to overcome blocks and barriers in an interview and some techniques on how to prevent blocks and barriers from presenting in the first place. Sometimes it takes pre-interview considerations and accommodations, other times it’s in the moment. From multi-session interviews to ensuring that the process is clear and predictable to victims, this session will encourage policies and procedures to empower victims with disabilities and make interviews as accessible as possible to this population.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to explain new ways of overcoming blocks and barriers in interviews with children with disabilities.
Participants will understand the use of new techniques when working with children who engage in perseveration.
Participants will learn how to gather additional information about how to reduce blocks and barriers through pre-interview considerations.

If They Knew What I Was Thinking: What Sex Offenders Can Teach Us About Interviewing



Thursday, November 17

}

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

In person

Cory Jewell Jensen

Senior Trainer, CBI Consulting

Note: This session is open to those working with Child Advocacy Centers and their multi-disciplinary partners, including the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, social work, behavioral health, forensic interviewing, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime. Attendance for this session is not open to defense attorneys and defense psychology experts.

This presentation examines the relationship between confession rates and sex offender characteristics (i.e., offender age, relationship to victim, personality type, offense history and prior experience with the criminal justice system). In addition, several studies that investigated the effectiveness of various interviewer styles (investigator demeanor and approach) will be reviewed. Lastly, the presenter will provide anecdotal comments (from 121 admitting adult male sex offenders) related to the thoughts and concerns they had while they were initially being interviewed by detectives. Comments focus on the reason they declined to be interviewed, lied about their behavior or confessed. Video clips will be used to illustrate some of the specific skills used by police to enable offenders to confess, along with recommendations for specific interview comment/questions from 26 veteran child abuse detectives from 10 law enforcement agencies in Oregon.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will review the research related to overall confession rates with sex offenders and the factors that inhibit and increase confession rates.
Participants will review the various interviewer styles that appear to increase confession rates.
Participants will review the various offender characteristics that increase and decrease confession rates.

Mimics of Sexual Abuse: Do not miss these clues



Thursday, November 17

}

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

In person, Recorded

Lori Frasier

MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Penn State Children’s Hospital

This session will review the common conditions that are often mistaken for sexual abuse. The presenter will base the assessment on a differential diagnosis and organ systems approach.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize some of the major medical mimics that can be confused with findings due to sexual abuse.
Discuss the differential diagnosis of various presentations of genital complaints.
Describe how photographic review of cases assist in making accurate diagnoses of medical mimics.

Role of the Medical Provider in Court



Friday, November 18

}

Full Day

In person

Andrew Lambert

JD, Kalamarides & Lambert

Brittany Dunlop

District Attorney, City of Anchorage

Lori Frasier

MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Penn State Hersey College of Medicine, Penn State Children’s Hospital

Note: This session is open to those working with Child Advocacy Centers and their multi-disciplinary partners, including the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, social work, behavioral health, forensic interviewing, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime. Attendance for this session is not open to defense attorneys and defense psychology experts.

Testifying in court for criminal and child protection cases is part of the role of health care providers involved in evaluating children and adolescents for sexual abuse/assault, physical abuse, or other forms of maltreatment. This session will review how our court system works in child abuse cases and give attendees the opportunity to practice testimony skills in a mock court setting.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the roles of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and witnesses in court.
Understand the difference between fact, expert, and blended witnesses.
Prepare for and participate in a mock court using case information provided.

Child and Adolescent Clinical Forensic Skills Lab for Medical Providers



Tuesday November 15

}

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

In person

Christine Fontaine

BA, BSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, Forensic Nurse, South Peninsula Hospital

Cathy Baldwin-Johnson

Medical Director, The Children’s Place

Note: This session is open to medical providers only.

This workshop will provide attendees with a review and hands-on practice for exam and evidence collection techniques including forensic photography, exam techniques, and forensic evidence collection techniques for optimal results with both pre-pubertal and adolescent children.

Learning Objectives:

Identify correct techniques for the examination of children and adolescents who may have been sexually or physically abused.
Demonstrate correct positioning and use of a colposcope.
Use correct techniques and time frames for forensic evidence collection, starting with correct kit and kit component selections.
Demonstrate proper forensic photography techniques.

Introductory Training on Testifying in Court



Tuesday, November 15

}

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

In person, Recorded

Jamie Browning

LMSW, Strengthening Families, LLC

This session is designed to provide an introduction to the nuts and bolts of testifying in court. This session will explore trial practice, with an in-depth discussion on preparing and testifying in court.

Learning Objectives:

Know the basics of responding to a subpoena.
Know how to prepare for testifying in various roles.
Learn the nuances and pitfalls of testifying in court.

The Intersection of Parental Substance Use and Neglect Meets Cultural Biases



Wednesday, November 16

}

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

In person, Recorded

Jamie Browning

LMSW, Strengthening Families, LLC

Lola Tobuk

Nome Eskimo Community

This practical and hands-on session is designed to help participants with both the nuts and bolts of parental substance use and neglect, while exploring the impact on children. The session will take it to the next level and explore cultural biases and implications when working with Alaska Native families facing these crises, providing a deeper understanding of the past, present, and future of supporting these families. The presenters will lead in-depth discussions on these subjects.

Learning Objectives:

Be able to identify the components of child neglect and parental substance use.
Be able to understand the implications of cultural biases when working with Alaska Native families.
Learn solution-focused concepts when facing these intersections.

Sex Offenders: What Every MDT Member Should Know (Full Day)



Friday, November 18

}

Full Day

In person

Cory Jewell Jensen

Senior Trainer, CBI Consulting

Part 1: Sex Offenders: How They Get That Way and the Basic Facts Your Team Should Know

Sex crime investigators, prosecutors, judges, probation officers, medical staff, child welfare workers and child/victim advocates should be familiar the various theories about the etiology of pedophilia and development of pro-offending attitudes, plus the more typical patterns of sexual offending (rape, sexual assault & computer crimes against children) committed by juvenile and adult sex offenders. This presentation will highlight (via video taped interviews with various sex offenders) some of the more common pathways to developing deviant sexual interests and criminal sexual behavior patterns. In addition, the presenter will review various studies that examined the number of detected vs. undetected offenders and sexual crimes occurring in our communities, the true rate of false allegations and the average degree of “cross-over” or “crime switching” behavior sex offenders engage in. The misconceptions about “re-offense” and “recidivism” rates and the expected outcomes for sex offender treatment will also be addressed.

Part 2: Creepy but Crucial Information: Advanced Grooming as Described by Sex Offenders

Participants will examine (via film clips of interviews with various types of sex offenders) some of the specific strategies offenders describe using to target, seduce and exploit children and adults. Information was collected from several thousand adult sex offenders who were involved in long-term, court mandated sex offender treatment. In addition, a variety of similarly focused research studies will be reviewed. The areas of focus includes offender descriptions of “grooming” tactics (how and why they: targeted certain children, adults, families and youth serving agencies, then seduced and manipulated each of these individuals/agencies, inhibited disclosure, detection and reporting. A variety of video clips, research studies and anecdotal interview data from numerous sex offenders will be utilized to illustrate each stage. Although this presentation is not for the “faint of heart,” it provides crucial information related to trauma and the need to improve training and skill in forensic interviewing, investigation and prosecution.

Learning Objectives:

Part 1. Sex Offenders: What Every MDT Member Should Know

Participants will develop an understanding of the process involved developing a sexual interest/preference for children and the pro-offending attitudes that support and allow for child sex abuse and other criminal sexual behavior.
Participants will gain information about the typical number and patterns involved in undetected sexual crimes committed by sex offenders.
Participants will gain information about some of the unique differences between male and female, adult and juvenile sex offenders.

Part 2. Creepy but Crucial: Advanced Grooming as Described by Child Molesters

Participants will understand some of the issues related to the low rates of reporting and detection of sexual crimes.
Participants will be able to identify the strategies and goals of “grooming behavior” used by sex offenders.
Participants will gain an understanding of some of the dynamics of grooming that make it difficult for children to fully/accurately comprehend the abuse they are experiencing, report and recover from child sexual abuse.

Adapting Forensic Interviews for Children who do not Speak



Friday, November 18

}

Full Day

In person

Staci Whitney

LMSW, Senior Director, Modell Consulting

This workshop is intended for forensic interviewers who want to learn about interviewing children who do not speak or who are considered “non-verbal.” Through this workshop, participants will have increased understanding of verbal behavior and communication methods; increased knowledge of common biases regarding communicating with children who do not speak; increased knowledge of pre-interview considerations when preparing to interview a child who does not speak; and learn reliable and legally defensible techniques that can be applied in forensic interviews with these children. Participants will have opportunities to apply what they have learned through class and small group activities. This training is founded in forensic interviewing best practices with considerations and adaptations to account for individuals who do not speak, use gestures, use a communication device, or speak few words.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to explain how to interview children who do not speak.
Participants will understand the use of the “hybrid question style.”
Participants will learn how to gather additional information from someone who does not speak, speaks few words or uses a communication device.

Effects of trauma and poor attachment on self-beliefs, emotional and behavioral responses



Friday, November 18

}

Half Day

In person

Roxanne Grobbel

Licensed Psychotherapist & Instructor, Insight Counseling Center

Stabilization: Methods to help clients emotionally and physically regulate



Thursday, November 17

}

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

In person, Recorded

Roxanne Grobbel

Licensed Psychotherapist & Instructor, Insight Counseling Center

Understanding the cause of the dysregulation in order to select the appropriate stabilization method is important. We will briefly review brain function and the impact of attachment and trauma on dysregulation. A variety of stabilization/regulation methods for children, teens and parents will be explored and practiced.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the brain using the fist as a model.
Identify 3 methods to help clients emotionally regulate.
Demonstrate 3 resourcing exercises.

Introduction to EMDR



Thursday, November 17

}

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

In person, Recorded

Roxanne Grobbel

Licensed Psychotherapist & Instructor, Insight Counseling Center

This workshop will provide an introduction to EMDR including its approach to treating trauma and theoretical basis. The EMDR protocol and the types of problems it can resolve will be discussed. A demonstration of an EMDR session and a case study will be presented so participants can better understand how the modality works. This is not an EMDR training course, but it will provide information in order to make appropriate referrals or to further explore this approach.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the Adaptive Processing Theory.
Recognize the phases of the EMDR protocol.
Identify 3 clinical applications for EMDR.

Motivational Interviewing



Tuesday, November 15

}

1:45 PM - 3:15 PM

In person, Recorded

James Fitterling

PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and Motivational Interviewing Network Trainer

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is “a person-centered goal-oriented approach for facilitating change by exploring & resolving ambivalence.” (Miller 2006). MI has been shown to be relevant and effective in a broad range of clinical and psychosocial applications. The primary focus of this 90-minute MI breakout session is to acquaint participants with basic concepts and methods of MI – covering both the “spirit” and skills involved in effective MI practice. While a 90-minute workshop cannot be expected to develop competency in MI (or any clinical skill, for that matter), participants will experience both the delivery and receipt of MI through brief structured practice sessions. The primary purposes are to (a) develop an accurate understanding of MI and its primary target or purpose, (b) experience and gain appreciation of MI and its relevance and applicability in their respective practice and profession, and (c) stimulate or strengthen interest in further MI training to become a competent MI practitioner. Training includes didactic presentation, practice exercises, discussion, and demonstration of MI in scenarios typically encountered by Multidisciplinary Team members and regarding Child Advocacy Centers.

Learning Objectives:

Understand and embrace the “spirit of MI” as an attitudinal and perceptual foundation for MI practice and competency.
Develop a basic understanding of the skills of MI and experience the use of MI skills during a structured practice exercise.
Develop interest in further MI skill development for use in professional practice.

What is the Role of Mental Health on the MDT Anyway?



Tuesday, November 15

}

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

In person, Recorded

JT Bolin

Child & Family Services Clinical Supervisor, Tanana Chiefs Conference

Leigh Bolin

Executive Director, Resource Center for Parents and Children, Fairbanks

Therapists have a unique perspective regarding cases seen through child advocacy centers. Therapy is often one of the first referrals made for children and families after they visit a CAC, but what is our role on the MDT? What can we disclose to the team? What do we do when we have differing opinions than our colleagues on the MDT? How do we get clients to trust us when they know we are part of this team? The list goes on. In this session the ethics of being a mental health provider on an MDT will be discussed. This session is not just intended for clinicians but anyone who works on an MDT that would like to more clearly understand the roles of therapists and why they sometimes seem reluctant to share as much as other professionals.

Learning Objectives:

Review of mental health clinicians role on the MDT and why is it important to be an active part of the team.
Review of the NCA Standards and how they align with the code of ethics.
How to present a dissenting opinion to the MDT/colleagues in a thoughtful way.

Opening Ceremony and Keynote: Child Abuse: Past, Present, and Future



Tuesday, November 15

}

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

In person, Recorded

Pam Karalunas

Karalunas Consulting

Child Abuse intervention has certainly progressed since 1874 when the first case of child abuse was prosecuted under the prevention of cruelty to animals statutes because there was no law against abusing children. Since the first Child Advocacy Center was established in 1985 the multidisciplinary intervention model has grown to 939 CAC in this country, and has expanded to 12 other countries. However, there are still numerous challenges encountered daily by those facing the daunting challenge of improving outcomes for abused children and their families.

Learning Objectives:

Learn about the history of child abuse intervention.
Learn about what is being done presently in Alaska.
Help identify present-day challenges and suggest possible solutions.

The Art of MDT-ing



Wednesday, November 16

}

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

In person

Virginia Moring (facilitator)

Gulling Consulting

Panelists:
Lt. Daron Cooper, Alaska State Troopers
Geraldine Nicholia OR Cyndi Smith, Knik Tribe
Beth Knecht, Set Free Alaska
Chief Dwayne Shelton, Palmer Police
Mariah Johnson, OCS

Whether at the Helm or holding a different seat at the MDT table, in this session we are going to dive into Life on an MDT. Yes, MDT Leadership is an extremely vital role in the grand scheme of things, however the team as a whole should be informed and involved in:

Consistency in evaluating and strengthening the team.
Structure & Strategies for healthy & productive monthly meetings.
Gracefully Mixing and Mingling of Protocols from all MDT lanes.
Understanding & utilizing effective Communication Channels.
Support and Self-care for the Team & Community.
Community Partners and other relationships that extend beyond the MDT.

Let’s take some time to talk about the things we don’t normally talk about. Have you ever been benched? If not…have you had times when you probably should have been? How does that look and what can be done with it at the time?

Learning Objectives:

Identify strategies for healhty and productive monthly meetings.
Recognize the importance of self care for the team and community.
Reconize strategies for utilizing effective communication chanels.

Bringing Our Vision to Life: Development of the Mat-Su Valley Drug Endangered Children’s Multidisciplinary Team (Lunch Panel)



Wednesday, November 16

}

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

In person, Recorded

Virginia Moring (facilitator)

Retired OCS PSM II

Panelists:
Lt. Daron Cooper, Alaska State Troopers
Cyndi Smith, Knik Tribe
Beth Knecht, Set Free Alaska
Chief Dwayne Shelton, Palmer Police
Mariah Johnson, OCS

Join members of the Mat-Su Valley’s Drug Endangered Children’s Multidisciplinary Team for a panel discussion on how it developed and implemented Alaska’s first multidisciplinary task force focused on drug-endangered children and their families. In July 2020, members from the Mat-Su Office of Children’s Services and Mat-Su first responders met to discuss what was lacking in the region’s response to drug endangered children, how to improve the collective response of state, local, and community agencies, and how to prevent these children and their families from falling through the cracks. From that initial meeting, a coalition of community and institutional stakeholders, with input from individuals with lived experience, met over the next three years to establish a multidisciplinary team. Their goal was twofold: to improve communication and collaboration among first responders and develop a system that would not only identify drug endangered children but ensure that they and their families were referred to appropriate and relevant services. These meetings culminated in the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding and Protocols, signed by state, local, and community agencies, that establish a streamlined communication and referral system to meet the needs of this overlooked and underserved population. In this panel discussion, MDT members will discuss the process of creating the state’s first multidisciplinary team focused solely on drug-endangered children, the internal and external challenges they faced (and how they overcame them), and how stakeholders in communities across Alaska can replicate its efforts to create their own MDTs.

Sulking, Surfing, Shamed and Suicidal: Be on the Lookout for 13 Reasons



Tuesday, November 15

}

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

In person

Sharon Cooper

MD, Founder of the MACE Foundation and CEO of Developmental & Forensic Pediatrics, P.A.

Suicidal ideations and actions continue to be a significant public health problem in the U.S. According to the CDC, this problem has been increasing since 2003 and is particularly prevalent in minority populations. This presentation will discuss recent facts regarding suicide and suicidal ideations in children and adolescents . Participants will learn that the age of reported suicidality is falling in America and proactive conversations with parents and caregivers is important from a primary care perspective. Media (both online and streaming) can play an important role in youth accepting suicide as a reasonable “end game”. Clinicians should access public health materials for education and prevention for families as well as work with case managers on how to access care when necessary before a youth presents in an emergency setting with a serious suicidal attempt.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will learn of the falling age of children who are reporting suicidal ideations and at least one suicide attempt.
Participants will discuss the ratio of completed suicide to attempts for self-harm related injuries.
Participants will review the significant health disparity for minority populations with respect to suicidality.
Participants will discuss the relationship of sexual orientation and sexual minority to suicidality.

A Newly Recognized Form of Child Abuse: Familial Sex Trafficking



Tuesday, November 15

}

10:45 AM - 12:15 PM

In person

Sharon Cooper

MD, Founder of the MACE Foundation and CEO of Developmental & Forensic Pediatrics, P.A.

Sex trafficking of children by family members has not been well understood or described until a 2022 landmark study of nearly one thousand survivors, explained the prevalence, characteristics, and challenges across the justice process. This presentation will provide startling facts regarding the most common familial sex traffickers, victim profiles, motives, and venues in this form of domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST). Challenges in the identification of the reality of children
having been sold from their homes will be discussed and the differences in victim services will be outlined. Case examples will be provided and robust discussions regarding the ethics of mental health support will be explored. Recommended actions will be outlined with particular attention to the conflicts in state and federal laws regarding age of consent versus sexual exploitation victimization.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will discuss the under-reported sexual exploitation by family members cited in new research.
Participants will review the difficulties in case management when a mother is the sex trafficker as compared to the circumstances of more commonly seen child sexual abuse.
Participants will learn of the cross-over between sex trafficking and child sexual abuse material (CSAM) when the primary offender is a family member.

Death by Neglect



Wednesday, November 16

}

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

In person

Sharon Cooper

MD, Founder of the MACE Foundation and CEO of Developmental & Forensic Pediatrics, P.A.

This presentation will discuss examples of death by neglect. The most common types of neglect that may become fatal include environmental hazards such as unsecured firearms, ingestions, “forgotten” infants and toddlers locked in hot cars and intentional prone positioning of high-risk infants. This presentation will include illustrative cases of these kinds of circumstances as well as death from starvation in the absence of abject poverty and homelessness. Starvation cases may present as “poor parental judgement” but if the remainder of individuals in the home are not
underweight and/or otherwise healthy appearing, what appears to be neglect may in fact constitute a voluntary homicide. Thoughts regarding strategies for survivor support will be explored in this particular form of child demise.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will learn of at least three distinct types of neglect.
Participants will consider the outcomes when death by starvation are presented during child death review boards.
Participants will review the risk of possible phobia development in survivor siblings.

Avoiding Secondary Trauma in Sex Abuse Work; Mental Self-Care and Helping to Prevent Burnout (Closing Keynote)



Thursday, November 17

}

3:15 PM - 4:15 PM

In person, Recorded

Darrel Turner

PhD, Turner Forensic Psychology and Consultation

In this session, information on the prevalence of secondary traumatic stress is provided to attendees. Signs and symptoms to watch for in oneself as well as in others are explained and identified. Preventative measures are discussed as well as the importance of periodic mental health checks.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will understand the seriousness of STS.
Attendees will appreciate their own susceptibility to STS.
Attendees will learn steps they can take to prevent STS.

Introducing the APOD (Analysis of Patterns of Denial among Sex Offenders) Part 1



Wednesday, November 16

}

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

In person

Darrel Turner

PhD, Turner Forensic Psychology and Consultation

Note: This session is open to those working with Child Advocacy Centers and their multi-disciplinary partners, including the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, social work, behavioral health, forensic interviewing, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime. Attendance for this session is not open to defense attorneys and defense psychology experts.

This is Part 1 of a two part series. In these sessions, attendees will be introduced to the APOD, a scientifically supported checklist that identifies 12 of the most common denial (deception) methods used in interviews by sex offenders. The instrument was also developed using interviews with suspects who were ultimately cleared without question,and offers a comparison of scoring patterns between the two groups. Videos of interviews and an introduction to the items as well as implications for additional use are provided.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will recognize the primary techniques of denial used by sex offenders in interviews.
Attendees will understand the easy application of the instrument and subsequent interview techniques to their work.
Attendees will understand general scoring guidelines and score interpretation.

Introducing the APOD (Analysis of Patterns of Denial among Sex Offenders) Part 2



Wednesday, November 16

}

3:15 PM - 4:45 PM

In person

Darrel Turner

PhD, Turner Forensic Psychology and Consultation

Note: This session is open to those working with Child Advocacy Centers and their multi-disciplinary partners, including the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, social work, behavioral health, forensic interviewing, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime. Attendance for this session is not open to defense attorneys and defense psychology experts.

This is Part 2 of a two part series. In these sessions, attendees will be introduced to the APOD, a scientifically supported checklist that identifies 12 of the most common denial (deception) methods used in interviews by sex offenders. The instrument was also developed using interviews with suspects who were ultimately cleared without question,and offers a comparison of scoring patterns between the two groups. Videos of interviews and an introduction to the items as well as implications for additional use are provided.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will recognize the primary techniques of denial used by sex offenders in interviews.
Attendees will understand the easy application of the instrument and subsequent interview techniques to their work.
Attendees will understand general scoring guidelines and score interpretation.

Risk Assessment of Non-Contact Sex Offenders – How is it Similar to Contact Offenders, and how is it Different?



Tuesday, November 15

}

1:45 PM - 3:15 PM

In person, Recorded

Darrel Turner

PhD, Turner Forensic Psychology and Consultation

In this session, the speaker discusses challenges facing forensic psychologists tasked with conducting risk assessments of non-contact sex offenders such as CSAM (CP) offenders, other internet offenders, and other sex offenders without identifiable contact victims. Many principles are the same, but many are different. Dr. Turner has conducted hundreds of these evaluations and has testified about his work and the work of other professionals in courts across the country.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will appreciate the difference in contact and non-contact offending behaviors.
Attendees will recognize the appropriate tools for use in these evaluations as well as those that are inappropriate.
Attendees will understand what research and our own government has stated about conducting these types of evaluations.

Register Now