18th Annual
La Crosse
Child
Maltreatment
Conference
May 7 & 8, 2015
Radisson Hotel, La Crosse, WI
Sponsored by Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare, Mayo Clinic
and Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center
With support from:
Coulee Region Child Abuse Prevention Task Force
Family & Children’s Center – Stepping Stones
Gundersen Health System
Midwest Regional Children’s Advocacy Center funded by Office of Juvenile Justice
and Delinquency Prevention
Wisconsin Department of Justice/Children’s Justice Act Program
Visit us at mayoclinichealthsystem.org
Who should attend the 18th Annual La Crosse Child
Maltreatment Conference?
We hope you will take advantage of the remarkable lineup of national and regional experts in the field of child protection
and the opportunity to cultivate ongoing working relationships with professionals who share a passion for children and
working with families to address children’s safety needs.
The conference will be of special interest to frontline child abuse professionals including:
• child advocacy center staff
• child protection workers
• law enforcement
• prosecutors
• forensic interviewers
• medical and mental health professionals
• school personnel
• emergency response personnel
• victim and witness advocates
Conference Objectives
This nationally recognized conference will address strategies the multidisciplinary team can use to intervene when
child maltreatment is reported, collaborate with community and family to protect children, and ensure justice for child
victims of abuse/neglect.
Continuing Education Credits
Nursing
Mayo Nursing Education in La Crosse is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Wisconsin
Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on
Accreditation.
12.66 Contact Hours offered
Physicians
Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare is accredited by the Wisconsin Medical Society to provide
continuing medical education for physicians. Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare designates this
educational activity for a maximum of 12.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.
Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Social Workers
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, Inc., provider #1089, is approved as a provider for social work continuing
education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org through the Approved Continuing
Education (ACE) Program. Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, Inc. maintains responsibility for the program. ASWB
Approval Period: 11/14/2012 – 11/14/2015. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course
approval for continuing education credits.
Social workers participating in both days of this course will receive 12.5 continuing education clock hours for May 7
and 8, 2015.
Social workers participating in this course will receive 6.5 continuing education clock hours for Thursday, May 7, 2015
Social workers participating in this course will receive 6 continuing education clock hours for Friday, May 8, 2015
Attorneys
The conference materials will be submitted to the Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners for Guardian ad litem education
credits. National Child Protection Training Center has applied for MN CLE Board credits for the Minnesota law
professionals who attend this conference. Law Enforcement
This conference has been approved by the MN POST Board for law enforcement professionals. Location & Accommodations
La Crosse, WI is a historic, vibrant city of 50,000 people nestled between bluffs and the Mississippi River.
Educational, recreational and cultural opportunities flourish. Spring is a beautiful season in which to enjoy all that
La Crosse has to offer – hiking, fishing, shopping, theater productions, museums and more.
2015 La Crosse Child Maltreatment Conference • PAGE 2
Conference Agenda
Thursday, May 7
th
8:00am Welcome
Timothy Johnson, M.D., President and CEO, Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare
8:10am - 9:10am Child Torture as a Form of Child Abuse
Barbara Knox, M.D., Medical Director, University of Wisconsin Child Protection Program
This presentation will describe clinical findings and case characteristics of children who are victims of severe
and multiple forms of abuse; and propose clinical criteria that indicate child abuse by torture. Additionally,
indicators of child abuse by torture will be addressed to enhance law enforcement and Child Protective
Services ability to recognize and intervene on these cases in the field.
9:10am - 10:10am Child Sexual Abuse: Understanding What Your Medical Team Does and Why
Arne H. Graff, M.D., Medical Director, Mayo Clinic Child and Family Advocacy Program
This session is an overview of the medical evaluation for the child/teen who is a possible sexual abuse victim. Understanding what your medical team does, why they do it and what determinations can be made can be
important in investigation and prosecution as well as medical and behavioral health needs of the child.
10:10am - 10:20am Break
10:20am - 11:20am The Price of Serving Children
Kurt Mahnke, MA, MDiv, LFMT, LPC, Founder/Director, Family Therapy and Anxiety Center
Helping children who can’t help themselves is such an honorable profession! Giving immediate physical and
psychological assistance is absolutely crucial. Protecting children from people who would take advantage of
them for their own egotistic, sadistic and sexual gratification is absolutely essential. Helping children from
their own ignorance and misguided behavior is also imperative. But as needed and honorable as that is,
helping children has a price. Caring for children is a two edge sword. It is very easy to lose oneself in one’s
work at the price of unaware and untreated sympathy/empathy pain and agony, sometimes called, “Secondary
Trauma” or “Compassion Fatigue.” This presentation will address the phenomenon of “Secondary Trauma” or
“Compassion Fatigue.” It will present the cause and the course of the predicament as well as touch on some
possible self-initiated interventions.
11:20am - 12:20pm Seeing Through the Lens of a Child: What Caring Professionals Need to Know about the Traumatized Child
Kimberly Erickson-Nichols, LPC, CAPSW, Founder of Heart to Heart Healing
This session will help participants understand what research tells us about stress and trauma and the impact
on child and brain development. It will also help participants to understand the internal experiences and
emotional dysregulation of children who have experienced childhood stress and trauma.
12:20pm - 1:00pm Lunch
1:00pm - 2:20 pm Breakout Session #1
Understanding and Responding to Children’s Behavior: What Supportive Families, Caretakers and
Professionals Can Do
Kimberly Erickson-Nichols, LPC, CAPSW, Founder of Heart to Heart Healing
Note: This is a two-part presentation. Participants must attend both sessions.
In this first session, participants will learn about common behavior and symptoms of stress and traumatized
children. Participants will also learn about the internal feelings experienced by the child and the message being
communicated by a child’s behavior.
The ChildFirst™ Interview Protocol: Using Best Practice and Research for a Holistic Interview
Amy Russell, MSEd, JD, NCC, Executive Director, Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center
Note: This is a two-part presentation. Participants must attend both sessions.
This workshop examines the new ChildFirst™ Forensic Interview Protocol currently replicated in 20 states and
two countries. In the ChildFirst model, the cognitive, physical, emotional and psychological needs of the child
are the primary concern. ChildFirst™ is a model that utilizes best practice and research to employ purposes,
considerations and techniques for training those investigating allegations of child maltreatment. The purposes
of interview stages are discussed and the use of media, props and tools are explored. Participants will also be
exposed to issues regarding training, supervision and peer review of interviews.
2015 La Crosse Child Maltreatment Conference • PAGE 3
Conference Agenda (continued)
Reactive and Proactive Interventions for Secondary Trauma, Burnout, and Traumatic Stress
Kurt Mahnke, MA, MDiv, LFMT, LPC, Founder/Director, Family Therapy and Anxiety Center
Note: This is a two-part presentation. Participants must attend both sessions.
“Secondary Trauma” or “Compassion Fatigue” is a real possible problem for emergency medical services, law
enforcement and child protective services staff who deal with children in trouble. This session will present in
some detail, interventions already used by the helping profession. These suggestions include: how to set up
and utilize a “Peer Support Team” within one or multiple agencies; how to set up and utilize a Critical Incident
Stress Management Team within multiple agencies and disciplines and how to formulate a list of mental health
providers that would be suitable to work with care givers who work with wounded children.
Bruises and Burns: How and When Do We Need to Work Them Up for Abuse?
Arne H. Graff, M.D., Medical Director, Mayo Clinic Child and Family Advocacy Program
Physical injuries may be the earliest warning of abuse and precede more serious injuries. Sorting out
accidental, medical and non-accidental is a difficult task and requires MDT staff to team with their medical
staff to determine timely and appropriate testing and care.
2:20pm - 2:40pm Ice Cream Sundae Break
2:40pm - 4:00pm Breakout Session #2
Understanding and Responding to Children’s Behavior: What Supportive Families, Caretakers and
Professionals Can Do
Kimberly Erickson-Nichols, LPC, CAPSW, Founder of Heart to Heart Healing
Note: This is a two-part presentation. Participants must have attended Part 1.
In this second session, participants will learn hands on tools for responding to behaviors and to calm aroused
children. Participants will also learn how to stay focused on emotional safety and emotional regulation for
children and learn how to apply these tools to a variety of environments that the child is in.
The ChildFirst™ Interview Protocol – Using Best Practice and Research for a Holistic Interview
Amy Russell, MSEd, JD, NCC, Executive Director, Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center
Note: This is a two-part presentation. Participants must have attended Part 1.
This workshop examines the new ChildFirst™ Forensic Interview Protocol currently replicated in 20 states and
two countries. With the ChildFirst model, the cognitive, physical, emotional and psychological needs of the child
are the primary concern. ChildFirst™ is a model that utilizes best practice and research to employ purposes,
considerations and techniques for training those investigating allegations of child maltreatment. The purposes
of interview stages are discussed and the use of media, props and tools are explored. Participants will also be
exposed to issues regarding training, supervision and peer review of interviews.
Reactive and Proactive Interventions for Secondary Trauma, Burnout, and Traumatic Stress
Kurt Mahnke, MA, MDiv, LFMT, LPC, Founder/Director Family Therapy and Anxiety Center
Note: This is a two-part presentation. Participants must have attended Part 1.
“Secondary Trauma” or “Compassion Fatigue” is a real possible problem for emergency medical services, law
enforcement and child protective services staff who deal with children in trouble. This session will present in
some detail, interventions already used by the helping profession. These suggestions include: how to set up
and utilize a “Peer Support Team” within one or multiple agencies; how to set up and utilize a Critical Incident
Stress Management Team within multiple agencies and disciplines and how to formulate a list of mental health
providers that would be suitable to work with care givers who work with wounded children.
Exploring Demand: What Can We Do?
Sarah Collins, MSW, Child Advocacy Studies Instructor at Winona State University and Ann Lichliter, LICSW,
Human Services Associate Program Chair at Western Technical College
This presentation will explore the cultural influences that contribute to the demand of sex trafficking. Specifically, the cultural influences and grooming behaviors that promote the objectification of women and
children will be highlighted as well as the glorification of pimp culture. Lastly, we will highlight common
2015 La Crosse Child Maltreatment Conference • PAGE 4
Conference Agenda (continued)
responses to addressing demand and we will conduct a discussion on what we can do locally.
4:00pm Closing
Please join us for a free community presentation.
6:00pm to 7:30pm Secondary Trauma: How It Affects Your Loved One
Kurt Mahnke MA, MDiv, LFMT, LPC, Founder/Director, Family Therapy and Anxiety Center
Radisson Ballroom
No registration required.
Professionals who work with victims of trauma, including children, (such as law enforcement, county human
services, medical examiner/coroners, firefighters, EMS, funeral home, faith community, medical and behavioral
health, school and child care professionals, faith community) are often so concentrated on their goal to protect
victims they often forget about themselves. They shrug off questions of concern about their mental/emotional
state by stating they are “fine.” However, they aren’t able to fool their family members; spouses, children or
significant others. What is the family member to do? How can they help?
This presentation will attempt to answer those questions with suggestions and possible options. The first part
will help loved ones understand what the professionals are doing and how it might affect them. The second
part will be an open question/answer format to discuss specific situations and possible scenarios.
Friday, May 8th
8:00am Welcome
Arne Graff, M.D., Medical Director, Mayo Clinic Child and Family Advocacy Program
8:05am - 9:00am In My Neighbor’s House: A Multi-Disciplinary Success Story
Victor Vieth, JD, Founder and Senior Director, Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center
This session chronicles the efforts of a rural county in Minnesota that implemented a series of reforms to
improve its child protection system. Within three years, the county not only dramatically improved its ability
to respond to child abuse but was gaining national attention for its success. The lessons from this county are
applicable to all communities large or small. Attendees will leave the session with a number of new ideas and
with the hope that all things are possible.
9:00am - 10:00am The Effects of Trauma on Children and Adolescents
Jennifer Wilgocki, MS, LCSW, Midwest Center for Psychotherapy and Sex Therapy
The impact of childhood trauma and traumatic stress can be long-term and serious, resulting in a myriad of
emotional, social and behavioral problems. This session will guide us to change the question from “what’s
wrong with you?” to “what’s happened to you?” as we become trauma sensitive and trauma skilled. 10:00am - 10:10am Break
10:10am - 11:10am Family Functioning and Child Mental Health – Implications for Trauma Recovery
Barry L. Irons, M.D., Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare
The family is the foundation of child development and family variables can impact the adjustment, stability
and well-being of both children and parents. This presentation will review family factors that could influence
trauma recovery, which caregivers could explore and address as part of a comprehensive care plan.
2015 La Crosse Child Maltreatment Conference • PAGE 5
Conference Agenda (continued)
11:10am - 12:10pm Working with the Non-Offending Caregiver
Susanne Walters, Program Coordinator, Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center
This session will explore the issues of how to engage supportive parents in the process as well as how to work
with those who are not supportive of their children during a child abuse investigation. This session will identify
road blocks to a parent being supportive as well as discuss successful ways to engage parents in the process to
help them support their child, review risk assessment procedures and explore pertinent research on this topic.
12:10pm - 12:15pm 2015 Ken Kolb “Great Kids Start with You” Award
12:15pm - 1:00pm Lunch
1:00pm - 2:10pm Breakout Session #1
Responding to Child/Infant Abuse or Death Cases and the Use of Doll Reenactments
James C. Holmes, Special Agent, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation
Note: This is a two-part presentation. Participants must attend both sessions.
This session is designed for all first responding officers, investigators, child protection services personnel,
prosecutors and all others who are involved in any aspect of an infant or child abuse or death investigation. The
session will discuss scene characteristics and processing, interviewing techniques of caregivers, doll reenactments
and the follow-up investigative considerations that should occur in all infant and child abuse or death investigations
in order to identify the possible existence of a crime and who is likely responsible for that crime.
Victim Assistance in Child Abuse Cases
Susanne Walters, Program Coordinator, Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center
This session addresses the role of the victim advocate in child abuse cases as well as offers tips for working
as a victim advocate within the multidisciplinary approach to child abuse cases. This session will outline the
victim advocate’s role in child abuse cases, discuss how to engage the parent and child in the investigation/
court process, highlight ways to make your office/approach more child friendly and explore pertinent research
on this topic.
Providing Accommodations in School and at Home to Promote Healing and Resilience in Traumatized
Children
Chelsea M. Ale, PhD, Child and Adolescent Psychologist, Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare
In the wake of trauma many children are fearful and have difficulty reintegrating into their lives as they
previously had. In this session we will discuss finding the balance between providing a safe reassuring
environment and encouraging kids to face fears.
Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Jennifer Wilgocki, MS, LCSW, Midwest Center for Psychotherapy and Sex Therapy
This session will further explore the reenactment cycle, trauma-informed parenting interventions and additional
ways to adopt a trauma lens when working with or parenting children and adolescents.
2:10pm - 2:20pm Break
2:20pm - 3:30pm Breakout Session #2
Responding to Child/Infant Abuse or Death Cases and the Use of Doll Reenactments
James C. Holmes, Special Agent, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation
Note: This is a two-part presentation. Participants must have attended Part 1.
This session is designed for all first responding officers, investigators, child protection services personnel,
prosecutors and all others who are involved in any aspect of an infant or child abuse or death investigation. The
session will discuss scene characteristics and processing, interviewing techniques of caregivers, doll reenactments
and the follow-up investigative considerations that should occur in all infant and child abuse or death investigations
in order to identify the possible existence of a crime and who is likely responsible for that crime.
2015 La Crosse Child Maltreatment Conference • PAGE 6
Conference Agenda (continued)
Child Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence: When Systems Collide
Amy Russell, MSEd, JD, NCC, Executive Director, Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center
More than 15 million children live in households where domestic violence or intimate partner violence (IPV)
has occurred within the past year. Research shows that there is a definite link between IPV and child abuse:
child abuse is 15 times more likely to occur in households where IPV is present. Understanding the impact
of IPV on children can increase appropriate professional response to both victims of IPV and child abuse and
enable professionals to better empower victims of IPV to support their children. This session will address the
behavioral and psychological effects violence has on children, will incorporate techniques for intervening in
families where violence exists and will discuss factors that mitigate the effects of violence on children.
Starvation, Torture & Scapegoating
Nancy S. Harper, M.D., FAAP, Director, Center for Safe and Healthy Children, University of Minnesota Masonic
Children’s Hospital
Extremes of child maltreatment include intentional starvation, torture and scapegoating of children.
Unfortunately these sadistic forms of maltreatment are often not identified and simply called “failure to
thrive” or “physical abuse.” Using case scenarios, participants will appreciate the difference between failure
to thrive and starvation as well as physical abuse and child torture. The approach to investigation, forensic
documentation and medical treatment will be highlighted as well as the role of scapegoating.
Panel discussion: La Crosse Area Professionals Trained in TF-CBT
Jennifer Wilgocki, MS, LCSW, Midwest Center for Psychotherapy and Sex Therapy
This panel of trauma-skilled professionals will discuss the importance of beginning any kind of trauma
intervention with a trauma screener or assessment. The panel will also share their experiences with adopting
trauma-specific practices and how trauma assessment informs those practices. There will be time for open
dialogue between panel and audience.
3:30pm Closing
2015 Ken Kolb “Great Kids Start with You” Award Recipient
Detective Sergeant Linnea Miller, La Crosse Police Department
Detective Sergeant Linnea Miller is part of the community response team that investigates reports of child abuse/neglect.
Sgt. Miller was nominated by three of her colleagues including a La Crosse Child Protective Services worker, the
Stepping Stones Family Advocate and a fellow police officer. Linnea is a well-respected MDT member and participates
in the monthly La Crosse Case Review and a number of community efforts which support families and work to protect
children. Sgt. Miller is an advocate for children and their families and through her leadership and efforts has made the
community a better place for children to live.
2015 La Crosse Child Maltreatment Conference • PAGE 7
2015 La Crosse Child Maltreatment Conference Registration
Online registration available at mayoclinichealthsystem.org/lacrosse
Registration fee includes tuition, meals and conference materials. Advance registration is required and must be received no later
than May 1. Refunds or cancellations (with the exception of a $25 processing fee) will be given until May 1. Cancellations after May
1 will not be refunded. Conference organizers retain the right to cancel the program. A limited number of scholarships are available.
Call 608-392-4172 to request an application, which is due April 24.
Name_______________________________________________________________________ Title________________________________________________________
Organization______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Street Address_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City_________________________________________________________________________State____________________ Zip_________________________________
Daytime Phone_________________________________________________________ Email Address________________________________________________________
I would like to receive marketing materials, including emails, from Mayo Clinic Health System.
Professional Profile:
Child advocacy center staff Child protection worker Law enforcement Prosecutor School personnel
Forensic interviewer Medical or mental health professional Emergency response personnel Victim/witness advocate
Conference Fees:
$200 – Full Conference
$100 – Single Day Fee
Amount Enclosed:____________________________________
Checks payable to Mayo Clinic Health System/1211010
Return no later than May 1 to:
Cathy Pupp, Mayo Clinic Health System, Marketing Communications, 700 West Ave S., La Crosse, WI 54601
Fax: 608-392-9416
Continuing Education Requested
Continuing Medical Education WI Social Work
MN Continuing Legal Education
WI Continuing Nursing Education
WI Continuing Legal Education
MN POST
Please identify any accessibility needs that will ensure your full participation in the conference.
Breakout Session Selections – Mark 1 and 2 in boxes for 1st and 2nd choices for each session
If you sign up for a two-part breakout session, you will be automatically signed up for the second session
Thursday, May 7
Breakout Session 1:
Understanding and Responding to Children’s Behavior: What
Supportive Families, Caretakers and Professionals Can Do – Part 1
The ChildFirst™ Interview Protocol: Using Best Practice and Research
for a Holistic Interview – Part 1
Reactive and Proactive Interventions for Secondary Trauma, Burnout,
and Traumatic Stress – Part 1
Bruises and Burns: How and When Do We Need to Work Them Up for
Abuse?
Breakout Session 2:
Understanding and Responding to Children’s Behavior: What
Supportive Families, Caretakers and Professionals Can Do – Part 2
The ChildFirst™ Interview Protocol: Using Best Practice and Research
for a Holistic Interview – Part 2
Friday, May 8
Breakout Session 1:
Responding to Child/Infant Abuse or Death Cases and the Use of Doll
Reenactments – Part 1
Victim Assistance in Child Abuse Cases
Providing Accommodations in School and at Home to Promote
Healing and Resilience in Traumatized Children
Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Breakout Session 2:
Responding to Child/Infant Abuse or Death Cases and the Use of Doll
Reenactments – Part 2
Child Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence: When Systems Collide
Starvation, Torture & Scapegoating
Panel Discussion: La Crosse Area Professionals Trained in TF-CBT
Reactive and Proactive Interventions for Secondary Trauma, Burnout,
and Traumatic Stress – Part 2
Exploring Demand: What Can We Do?
2015 La Crosse Child Maltreatment Conference • PAGE 8
700 West Avenue South
La Crosse, WI 54601
18th Annual
La Crosse
Child
Maltreatment
Conference
May 7-8, 2015
La Crosse, WI
Visit our website:
mayoclinichealthsystem.org
Conference Planning Committee
Phillip Nielsen, MSW, Conference Planning Chair, Mayo Clinic Heath System – Franciscan Healthcare
Cathy Pupp, BS, Conference Coordinator, Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare
Rachel Genz, MSN, RN, Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare
Arne Graff, M.D., Mayo Clinic Child and Family Advocacy Program
Kristy Braunreiter, BS, The Parenting Place
Alicia Place, MSW, La Crosse School District
Sue Howe, La Crosse School District
Michelle Johnston, CSW, La Crosse County Human Services
Jeanne Meyer, MSE, Stepping Stones,
Carolynn Devine, CSW, Gundersen Health System
Melony Hansen, MA, CSW, SAC, Vernon County Department of Human Services
Monica Olson, RN, Mayo Clinic Heath System – Franciscan Healthcare
Nancy Solberg, RN, BSN, Mayo Clinic Heath System – Franciscan Healthcare
Nicole Milliren, MS, LPC, La Crosse County Human Services
Detective Sgt. Linnea Miller, City of La Crosse Police
Investigator Crystal Sedevie, Holmen Police
Kari Christenson, MBA, Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center
Bonny Young, RN, Mayo Clinic Heath System – Franciscan Healthcare
Don Kube, MSMFT, Mayo Clinic Heath System – Franciscan Healthcare
Janice Schreier, SW, LCSW, Mayo Clinic Heath System – Franciscan Healthcare
© 2014 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research 015-014 (15M26)