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, and judicial safety and security. 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.

Child Abuse and Exploitation Investigations: May 8–12, 2017

This training, to be held in Reno, NV, is designed for new and experienced law enforcement, child protective services, forensic interviewers, and other child-serving professionals. Participants will learn about the importance of using a multidisciplinary team approach when investigating and prosecuting child abuse, child sexual abuse, and exploitation cases; the preferred methods for interviewing children and suspects; and current legal issues. The event is hosted by the OJJDP-sponsored National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College. Registration information is available online.

This training will also take place in Indianapolis, IN, September 11–15 and in Virginia Beach, VA, October 23–27, 2017.

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 survivorsof child abduction. Registration information is available online.

Forensic Interviewing of Children Training June 19–23, 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 July 24–28, September 25–29, October 23–27, and December 4–8, 2017.

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

Hosted by the Midwest Regional Children’s Advocacy Center, this webinar 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.

Conducting Unexplained Child Death Investigations: July 31–August 3, 2017

This training, hosted by the OJJDP-sponsored National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College, will provide law enforcement personnel, child protective services staff, prosecutors, and other child-serving professionals with up-to-date practices and tips for the investigation of unexplained child deaths. Topics include possible causes of death and the investigative steps involved in evidence identification, collection, and documentation. The training will take place in New Orleans, LA. Registration information is available online.

20th Annual International Gang Specialist Training Conference: August 7–9, 2017

This event, hosted by the National Gang Crime Research Center, is intended for police, prosecutors, probation/parole officers, corrections staff, gang prevention program service personnel, school resource officers, and others who want to gain more skills in preventing gang violence and reducing gang problems. Topics include female gang involvement, street gang investigation, and the mental health needs of gang-involved youth. The conference will take place in Chicago, IL. Registration information is available online.

29th Annual International Crimes Against Children Conference: August 7–10, 2017

This conference will provide training to individuals who are employed by government and nonprofit agencies in the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, social work, children’s advocacy, therapy, probation, parole, and medicine. The event will be held in Dallas, TX, and is hosted by the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center. Registration information is available online.

National Child Welfare, Juvenile, and Family Law Conference: August 10–12, 2017

This conference, hosted by the National Association of Counsel for Children, will bring together leaders in child welfare, juvenile justice, and family law. Participants will learn about child law and receive practical tools to help them protect the rights of the children, youth, and families they serve. The conference will be held in New Orleans, LA. Registration information is available online.

Multidisciplinary Team Response to Child Sex Trafficking: August 28–31, 2017

This team-based training, offered in Charleston, SC, 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 Honolulu, HI, on September 11–14, 2017.

The Neurochemistry of Trauma and Evidence-Based Models of Recovery: September 14, 2017

Hosted by the Midwest Regional Children’s Advocacy Center, this webinar will provide insight related to the maladaptive effects of trauma on the central nervous system, explore evidence-based therapeutic modalities to facilitate the recovery of the at-risk child, and explore data-driven interventions used to restore healthy functioning and regulation of the at-risk child’s neurochemistry. Registration information is available online.

National Missing and Unidentified Persons Conference: September 19–21, 2017

This conference, hosted by the OJJDP-sponsored National Criminal Justice Training Center of Fox Valley Technical College, will focus on the circumstances behind many missing persons reports, whether due to mass incidents or criminal events. Participants will learn effective strategies for responding to mass incidents, search and rescue, death and forensic investigations, recovery of unidentified remains, and missing persons’ cases. The conference will take place in Atlanta, GA. Registration information is available online.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly—Assessing CAC Partnerships: October 12, 2017

The Midwest Regional Children’s Advocacy Center will host this webinar. Presenters will consider the essential element of collaboration in the Child Advocacy Center movement and discuss how leaders develop, assess, and monitor multidisciplinary partnerships. Learning objectives include recognizing the differences between mandated, essential, and voluntary partnerships; using a partnership analysis tool; and considering the impact of conflict on partner relationships. Registration information is available online.