7th Annual

 Bucks County Children's Advocacy Center

Conference on Crimes Against Children

The 7th Annual Bucks County Conference on Crimes Against Children focuses on the multidisciplinary team approach to the recognition and investigation of crimes against children.  The objective of this conference is to provide resources to professionals practicing in the field of child abuse investigation, treatment and prevention.  Attendees will increase their collaborative efforts among professionals working in the field, receive current information on investigative and treatment techniques, and increase professional knowledge and skills. 

Registration and Continental Breakfast:  8:30am-9:00am

Welcome and Outstanding Service Award Presentation :  9:00am-9:15am

Keynote:  9:15am - 10:15am

"Communicating with Children with Disablities: Realities, Risk Factors and Research "-Staci Whitney, L.M.S.W.

Children and youth with disabilities are more likely than children and youth without disabilities to experience physical abuse resulting in bodily injury and to experience serious sexual offenses including those involving repeated abuse, use of force and threats. In addition to increased risk, many significant barriers exist, both real and perceived, that limit investigation and prosecution of these cases. Participants will learn about risk factors for children with disabilities and characteristics of children with intellectual, physical, and communication disabilities that increase risk of abuse. The participants in this training will develop a broader understanding of disabilities as well as new strategies for communicating and gathering reliable information from crime victims with disabilities.

Objectives:

 1. Participants will be able to identify the disproportionate victimization statistics for children with disabilities.

  2. Participants will be able to describe the unique characteristics of children with intellectual, physical, and communication disabilities that increase the risk of abuse.

3. Participants will be able to recall distinguishing features of intellectual disability, autism and speech language disorders that impact investigations and communication.

 

Workshop Session 1:  10:30am - 12:00pm

A. Interviewing Children with Disabilities: Learning to Understand when Little is Spoken - Staci Whitney, L.M.S.W.

B. Compassion Satisfaction - Deborah Hudson, L.C.S.W.

C. Human Trafficking of Children and Youth: Clinical Aspects for Pediatric Healthcare Providers  -  Marita Lind, M.D.

D. The Invisible Victim: The Non-Offending Parent - Veronique Valliere, Psy.D.

E. Prosecuting Child Homicides: From Investigation to Verdict: Part 1 - Gayland Gieger, J.D.

 

Lunch:  12:00pm - 1:00pm (Included with Registration)

 

Workshop Session 2:  1:00pm - 2:30pm

A. Healing Through the Alphabet: Providing Trauma-Informed Care for LGBTQ+ Youth: Part 1 - Joyce Darakcioglu, NCC, LPC & Tiffini Lanza, M.Ed., LSW

B. Assessing Child Physical Abuse: A Clinical and Forensic Perspective - Marita Lind, M.D.

C. Counterintuitive Victim Behavior - Veronique Valliere, Psy.D. 

D. Trauma and Mental Health Considerations in a Child Sex Trafficking Response - Amanda Gopal, L.C.S.W.

E. Prosecuting Child Homicides: From Investigation to Verdict: Part 2  - Gayland Gieger, J.D.

 

Break: 2:30pm - 2:45pm (Coffee and Snacks)

 

Workshop Session 3:  2:45pm - 4:15pm

A. Healing Through the Alphabet: Providing Trauma-Informed Care for LGBTQ+ Youth: Part 2 - Joyce Darakcioglu, NCC, LPC & Tiffini Lanza, M.Ed., LSW

B. Crossroads: Adolescent Deviance, Risk Assessment and Decision Making  - Veronique Valliere, Psy.D.

C. An MDT Approach to Child Sex Trafficking Investigations - Richard Love

D. Positively Everything You Should Know About Child Welfare Law - Brad Jackman, Esq.

 

Closing and Evaluations:  4:15pm-4:30pm

 

For more information on workshop descriptions and presenter bios, and to complete the Outstanding Service Award Nomination Form please visit:

www.buckscac.org/conference

 

Approval for Continuing Education Credits: 

5.5 CE credits PENDING through the PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors

5.5 CLE credits APPROVED through Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board

 

5.5  CLEE credit hours APPROVED through the Municipal Police Officers' Education & Training Commission.

 

 

CANCELLATION POLICY:  Please be advised that refunds cannot be issued for this event.   

                                          

 

Thank You to Our 2018 Sponsors and Host:

Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services Agency

 Delaware Valley University

Magellan Health

Horsham Clinic

Warwick Township Police Benevolent Association

Register Now!