Keynote Address: Super Hero Recharged with Jim Holler

Chief Holler will have you laughing hysterically with this highly funny yet emotional keynote that is designed to touch the heart of each person within the team. He will challenge you to work as a team, putting aside personal feelings, attitudes, and any inhibitions you may have, in order to conduct better abuse investigations. You will leave this rousing keynote pumped up and ecstatic about making a profound difference at every level in the multidisciplinary team.

Bridging the Gap- “Protecting Our Kids” with Jim Holler

This highly emotional presentation is designed to touch the heart of each person within the MDT team, challenging them to do better child abuse and sexual assault investigations. The common goal between each agency is creating a child-safe world where children are free from being abused and exploited by adults. Both CPS and law enforcement personnel work very hard in an effort to achieve this goal; however, in many cases agencies a child may suffer and the perpetrator may go free. This workshop will educate the law enforcement officer on the duties of the CPS worker, what standards they are required to prove by law, and what happens when these standards are not met. CPS workers will learn the role of law enforcement and what officers face in dealing with these type of cases. The primary goals is to bring these agencies closer together, not only in an investigative role in child abuse cases, but also as a support system where they can lean on each other for encouragement and support. This workshop is designed to show the benefits of joint investigation, such as improved protection and services for children, better understanding of roles and responsibilities, enhanced information sharing, more effective use of limited resources, enhanced training, and reduced burnout.

Law Enforcement Post Traumatic Stress and Police Suicide with Timothy Whitcomb

A dynamic, powerful, and emotional presentation regarding the reality of the incident rate of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder within the ranks of our law enforcement community. Emphasis is placed on the history of PTSD, with a specific focus on police suicide, as well as recommendations for administrative training to prepare, insulate, protect, and treat the expected exposure to trauma.

Caught in the Middle- “Child Abuse and Domestic Violence”  with Jim Holler

This presentation will focus on the issues of domestic violence and child abuse and the devastating toll it has taken on our children. Children who become victims, either from abuse, neglect, or witnessing parental domestic violence are more likely to become involved in youth violence and other violent adult behaviors. Child abuse and domestic violence often occur within the same family and are linked in a number of ways that have serious consequences for the safety of all family members. This workshop will also address the ever growing problem of child fatalities due to domestic abuse and neglect in the United States. No matter how these deaths occur, one fact remains, these perpetrators are usually individuals responsible for the care and supervision of the children, and most likely the incidents occur in the home. Children caught in the middle of domestic violence are often overlooked by CPS and law enforcement. This workshop will demonstrate the importance of recognizing that these children are often victims, not only by witnessing the violence but many times by being abused as a result of the violence.

Behind the Mask of a Child Rapist- “Hope’s Journey” with Jim Holler

This presentation will follow the life of a young child who at an early age began to be molested and raped by caregivers. We will follow the traumatic events of her life into adulthood. Following this story will help provide participants with the tools needed to not only investigate such a crime but also provide the on-going services for the child victim. This workshop will identify the problem of child molestation and provide investigators with insight into what these children experience and how that knowledge can assist in better understanding the crime. This information will help you to complete a more thorough investigation, which will greatly improve your odds of achieving a successful arrest and prosecution of the perpetrator. Other services providers such as Child Protective Services, Victim Witness, Mental Health, and the CAC will also learn the importance of on-going services to assist the child as they learn to deal with the aftermath of such a traumatic event in their life. This workshop will define the two most prevalent sexual offenders, the situational offender and the preferential offender, and how each works to carefully groom and seduce their child victims through the use of attention, affection, kindness and gifts.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’S) with Kaitlyn McWilliams

Did you know that 90% of public mental health clients have been exposed to trauma? Youth that are affected by trauma are more likely to be involved in illegal behavior for a variety of reasons, including neurological, psychological and social effects of trauma; however, few will be screened for trauma related issues or provided with trauma-informed care at any point. Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes, Inc., provides Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’S) and Trauma Informed Practices Training to professionals such as law enforcement, probation, social services, child advocacy providers, school districts, and the judicial system who are likely to encounter at-risk youth. Essential information, tools, and resources will be provided to increase understanding in regards to what trauma is and how trauma can affect both youth and their families. Learn about ways that we as services providers can improve our cross systems response to trauma to avoid further traumatization and achieve collective impacts.

Youth in Crisis: The Impact of Trauma on Sexually Exploited Youth with Elizabeth Scaife

This presentation will provide an in depth look at a variety of power and control methods used by traffickers in America, followed by an analysis of the impact caused by chronic and intense trauma on children. The presenter will review social, psychological, and behavioral symptoms commonly associated with sexually exploited children, and provide attendees tips on identifying and interacting with victims by implementing simple strength-based and trauma-informed practices as well as an effective assessment tool.

Sex, Money and Gangs: An Evolution of Exploitation with Elizabeth Scaife

Traditionally focused on drug trafficking and other criminal enterprise, gangs across the nation have discovered that sex trafficking yields higher profits with less risk. This presentation will reveal the scope of gang-involved sex trafficking in America and the profiles of its victims, focusing on gang dynamics and indoctrination, along with the recruitment and control tactics used against them. The presenter will highlight the challenges facing investigators, prosecutors and therapists, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to provide a victim-centered approach.

Multidisciplinary Team Panel featuring Ann Lenane and the FLCART

Due to the complex nature of child abuse and neglect investigations, multidisciplinary teams (MDT) are often used to enhance and improve investigations and responses for children and families. MDTs represent a variety of disciplines that interact and coordinate their efforts to diagnose, treat, and plan for children and families receiving services. The Child Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes assists in the coordination of the Finger Lakes Child Abuse Response Team (FLCART)  in Ontario County. This session will focus on the various disciplines that make up a MDT and how each of their roles play a critical role in these investigations. The panel will address concerns that arise during these investigations, successes working as an MDT, and how this model benefits the team as well as children and families.

Plenary Session: Being the Voice with James Ritts

Every year thousands of children and their families will walk through the doors of Child Advocacy Centers across the nation. Hundreds of those children are from our small community here in Ontario County. Day in and day out the staff of the Child Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes, along with the multidisciplinary team, provide unwavering support and compassion to families who have experienced abuse and violence. This presentation will address the issues that arise working these cases and the importance of the multidisciplinary response. By gaining an understanding and/or confidences in the work we do, you will see that each of us can make a difference in the lives of children and their families. The future of our children is not what we see, but rather what we do. As professionals in this field, we can make a difference one child at a time. We cannot change the acts that are committed against children, but we can speak on behalf of those who have no voice and continue to drive toward change and prevention.