Day 1 – Tuesday, Nov 15
9:00am – 9:30am
Main Hall
Opening Ceremony
By Mari Mukai, Alaska Childrens Alliance Executive Director and Event Coordinator
9:30am – 10:30am
Main Hall
Opening Keynote – A History of the Movement
By Pam Karalunas, Karalunas Consulting
10:45aM – 12:15pm
Room 4
Stress and trauma in children: approaches to somatic symptoms among children with traumatic stress
By Natalia Ramos, Assistant Clinical Professor at Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine
10:45AM – 12:15PM
Room 5
Identifying Corroborative Evidence from the Forensic Interview (requires A/V capability)
By Jerri Sites, Child Protection Concepts LLC
1:45pM – 3:15pm
Room 5
The MDT/CAC Response to Children with Problematic Sexual Behavior
By Jerri Sites, Child Protection Concepts LLC
3:30PM – 5:00pm
Room 4
Affirming trauma-informed practices for working with gender diverse youth
By Natalia Ramos, Assistant Clinical Professor at Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine
Stress and trauma in children: approaches to somatic symptoms among children with traumatic stress
Tuesday, November 15
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Room 4
Live, Virtual

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 (requires A/V capability)
Tuesday, November 15
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Room 5
Live

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
Room 5
Live, Virtual

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.
Affirming trauma-informed practices for working with gender diverse youth
Tuesday, November 15
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 4
Live, Virtual

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.
Opening Ceremony
Tuesday, November 15
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Main Hall
Live, Virtual

Mari Mukai
MSW, Executive Director, Alaska Children’s Alliance
Welcome everyone, to the 2022 Alaska Conference of Child Maltreatment! This four day conference is kicked off by the fun loving, hard working, food aficionado from Hawaii, Mari Mukai.
Opening Keynote – Child Abuse: Past, Present, and Future
Tuesday, November 15
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Main Hall
Live, Virtual

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.