Missing Children Seminar for Chief Executive Officers: February 20–21, 2017

 

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is offering this 2-day seminar in Forsyth, GA, to familiarize police chiefs, sheriffs, public safety directors, and clearinghouse managers with the issues related to missing child cases, including strategy development, community assessment, the media, effective policies and practices, technical assistance, training, and resources for survivors of child abduction. Registration information is available online.

 

Multidisciplinary Team Response to Child Sex Trafficking: February 27–March 2, 2017

 

This team-based training, offered in Chicago, IL, by the OJJDP-sponsored National Criminal Justice Training Center, will improve multidisciplinary team (MDT) responses to child sex trafficking cases and assist those wanting to establish a formal MDT in their community to effectively respond to child sex trafficking. Subject matter experts will work with teams to identify gaps and develop short- and long-term response plans. The training will help attendees differentiate between child abuse and child sexual abuse cases and help them recognize and locate youth at risk. Registration information is available online.

 

This training will also take place in Hartford, CT, April 18–21, in Charleston, SC, August 28–31, and in Honolulu, HI, September 11–14, 2017.

 

National Judicial Institute on Domestic Child Sex Trafficking: March 6–7, 2017

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges is conducting this institute in partnership with OJJDP and Rights4Girls. To be held in Austin, TX, the interactive training will use hypothetical case scenarios, small-group discussion, survivor testimony, practical courtroom exercises, and lectures to provide juvenile and family court judges with tools they need to identify children who are being trafficked or are at risk for victimization as well as effective intervention strategies that respond to the individualized needs of each victim. Only judges and court officers may register for this training. Registration information is available online.

Interrogation Techniques in Child Exploitation Cases: March 6–8, 2017

This training, to be held in Appleton, WI, is hosted by the OJJDP-sponsored AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program. Participants will learn about advanced interview and interrogation techniques to be used in child exploitation cases. This training is designed for court system personnel, law enforcement, prosecutors, and social workers. Registration information is available online.

Child Interviewing 2017: Update on Research and Practice: March 9, 2017

This webinar, to be hosted by the Midwest Regional Children’s Advocacy Center, will discuss the latest research relevant to child interviewing, how to increase productivity in child interviews, and how to minimize error and miscommunication in interviews. Registration information is available online.

Multidisciplinary Response to High-Risk Victims of Sex Trafficking: March 9–10, 2017

The OJJDP-sponsored AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program is sponsoring this training, to be held in Appleton, WI. This event, designed for community members, law enforcement, law enforcement support, and social workers, will teach participants effective victim interview techniques and a five-point strategy to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Registration information is available online.

Exploited Children Seminar for Chief Executive Officers: March 12–13, 2017

Convened by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, this 2-day seminar will take place in Alexandria, VA. Topics include exploitation of children: nature and scope of the problem, offender characteristics, child pornography and relationship to child exploitation, investigative responses and challenges, survivor perspective, overview of child sex trafficking, and officer safety and wellness. This course is specifically for police chiefs and sheriffs. Registration information is available online.

Child Abuse and Exploitation Investigations: March 20–24, 2017

This training, to be conducted in Albany, NY, is sponsored by the National Criminal Justice Training Center. Presenters will provide participants with up-to-date information on investigating and prosecuting various types of child abuse cases and the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach when investigating and prosecuting child abuse, sexual abuse, and exploitation cases. Topics include interviewing children and suspects, evidence collection, case management, technologies that facilitate child abuse and exploitation, and current legal issues. Registration information is available online.

This training will also be held in Reno, NV, May 8–12; in Indianapolis, IN, September 11–15; and in Virginia Beach, VA, October 23–27, 2017.

33rd International Symposium on Child Abuse: March 27–30, 2017

The National Children’s Advocacy Center will host its 33rd International Symposium on Child Abuse in Huntsville, AL. This conference will offer more than 130 workshops. Sessions will address topics such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, exposure to violence, polyvictimization, exploitation, intervention, trafficking, and prevention. More information about the symposium is available online.

Digital Evidence Investigations: March 28–30, 2017

The OJJDP-sponsored AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program will host this event in Franklin, WI. The training is designed for first responders, investigators, and investigative supervisors in child abduction, exploitation, and child sex trafficking cases. Registration information is available online.

Prosecutor Strategies for Child Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Cases: April 3–4, 2017

This event, hosted by OJJDP’s AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program, will be held in Alexandria, VA. The course will provide prosecutors, investigators, and victim specialists with the tools necessary to successfully prosecute cases involving child sex trafficking and exploitation. Topics include charging strategies, courtroom tactics, plea bargains, and motion hearings. Participants will learn how to effectively develop a case strategy and be introduced to various pretrial issues, including identifying and working with witnesses and expert witnesses, preserving testimony, and responding to unexpected issues during pretrial/trial. Registration information is available online.

17th Annual International Family Justice Conference: April 4–6, 2017

The Family Justice Center Alliance will host its annual conference in Milwaukee, WI. This event includes training and interactive peer-to-peer discussions on issues related to the handling of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, elder abuse, and stalking cases with special focus on law enforcement response, criminal prosecution, civil legal assistance, and advocacy. The Alliance welcomes law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, shelter staff, community-based victim advocates, and all others interested in the future of family violence intervention and prevention. More information about this conference is available online.

LEAD Conference: Moving From Research to Policy and Practice To Improve the Lives of Youth: April 6–7, 2017

The conference, to be held in Washington, DC, will focus on how to best apply research in the development and implementation of sound policies and practices in child-serving fields, featuring the work of Georgetown University's Center for Juvenile Justice Reform. Reflecting the importance of cross-systems collaboration, the event will focus on key developments in child welfare, juvenile justice, education, behavioral health, and family engagement. Breakout sessions include evidence-based approaches for multisystem youth; reducing racial and ethnic disparities in youth-serving systems; and advances in behavioral health assessments, services, child welfare, school suspension/expulsion, and youth corrections reform. Registration information is available online.

Forensic Interviewing of Children Training April 10–14, 2017

The National Children's Advocacy Center will host this 5-day training in Huntsville, AL. The training includes audience discussion, a child interview practicum, a review of recorded forensic interviews, experiential skill-building exercises, and participation in a mock court simulation. To facilitate continued skill development, each participant will receive a training manual, recorded copy of his or her interview practicum, and access to additional online training materials. Registration information is available online.

Additional trainings are scheduled for June 19–23, July 24–28, September 25–29, October 23–27, and December 4–8, 2017.

Institute for New Juvenile and Family Court Judges: April 24–28, 2017

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) designed this institute, to be held in Reno, NV, to provide participants with a better understanding, practical tools, and best practices in cases coming before juvenile and family courts. Presenters will share insights on ethical issues, child and adolescent development, schools and courts, the Indian Child Welfare Act, trauma-informed justice, abuse and neglect, delinquency, interpersonal violence, custody, divorce, self-represented litigants, judicial safety and security, and dealing with the media. The training also prepares judicial scholars for participation in other NCJFCJ institutes on family law, delinquency, dependency, and domestic violence. Registration information is available online.

National Conference on Children and the Law: April 27–28, 2017

The American Bar Association will conduct its 17th National Conference on Children and the Law, entitled “SOAR—Strengthening Our Advocacy for Results.” To be held in Tysons Corner, VA, the conference will focus on how advocates for children and families can improve outcomes and effect improvements in the law, the court system, social services, and other systems serving the needs of children and youth. Registration information is available online.

Major Case Investigative Teams: May 9–11, 2017

The OJJDP-sponsored AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program will host this training in Topeka, KS. A major case investigative team allows for the concentration of investigative resources beyond the capabilities of any individual agency with the common goals of higher case resolution and increased public safety. Participants will learn about resource concentration, efficiency, secondary case clearance, and the importance of networking. Registration information is available online.

Missing Children Seminar for Chief Executive Officers: May 23–24, 2017

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is offering this seminar in Alexandria, VA, to familiarize police chiefs, sheriffs, public safety directors, and clearinghouse managers with the issues related to missing child cases, including strategy development, community assessment, the media, effective policies and practices, technical assistance, training, and resources for survivors of child abduction. Registration information is available online.

Serving Those Most at Risk—Embracing the Challenge of Serving Trans Youth: June 22, 2017

The Midwest Regional Children’s Advocacy Center will host this webinar. It will explore trans and gender-diverse identities in youth; challenges, barriers, and risks trans youth face; and approaches to best practice in enhancing services to this population. Learning objectives are for participants to be able to describe three barriers transgender youth face, indicate two factors affecting the increased risk of victimization in transgender youth, and identify three steps agencies can take to improve services for this population. Registration information is available online.