NATIONAL CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
Designed specifically for leaders in the Children’s Advocacy Center movement, NCA’s Leadership Conference is the only
event of its kind; providing education, networking, and advocacy opportunities for directors, administrators, coordinators and
board members of Children’s Advocacy Centers, CAC Chapters, and multidisciplinary teams. Sessions are led by nationally
recognized professionals, trainers, and peer presenters.
Distinguished Speakers
Vicki Clark
Ross Cheit
Vicki Floyd Clark has devoted the past 30 years of her
life to building capacity in organizations and inspiring
community leaders. A noted speaker, facilitator,
consultant and trainer, she has extensive experience in
the nonprofit, government and private sectors. Her work
includes numerous specialty areas; board development,
inclusion and diversity, leadership development,
strategic planning, project planning, volunteer resource
development, and effective communication. Clark is a
member of the Peter F. Drucker Foundation’s training and
consultation team and a Senior Governance Consultant
for BoardSource She has been a guest lecturer at
University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of
Business, University of Texas, San Antonio, Texarkana
College and the University of Houston. Each year she
speaks to thousands of community and business leaders
and has made presentations in 48 of the 50 United
States.
Ross Cheit graduated from Williams College in 1977 with
honors in political economy and a coordinate major in
environmental studies. He then obtained a law degree
and PhD in public policy at the University of California,
Berkeley. He clerked for Justice Hans Linde of the
Oregon Supreme Court and practiced law with Duane,
Lyman, and Seltzer in Berkeley. He joined the faculty
at Brown university in 1987 and is currently a professor
of Political Science and Public Policy at the university.
Cheit is an inactive member of the California Bar and
was appointed to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission
in 2004. He was elected chair of the Rhode Island Ethics
Commission in 2011. He has presented at many State
and National Conferences. He spent more than 15
years researching his most recent book, The Witch-Hunt
Narrative: Politics, Psychology, and the Sexual Abuse of
Children, which was published by Oxford University Press
in April 2014.
Consultant
Building the Capacity of Organizations, Memphis, TN
Professor Political Science and Public Policy
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
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HIGHLIGHTS
OPENING RECEPTION & NCA ANNUAL AWARDS PRESENTATION
Outstanding leaders in the CAC movement will be recognized and honored during the Sunday opening reception.
OPENING CONFERENCE KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
The official opening of the conference on Monday will be a plenary keynote presentation by Vicki Clark. Please join us as
we explore ways that CAC leaders and all MDT members can empower people in local communities to better serve child
victims of abuse and their families.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
This year the annual membership meeting will focus on your inputs through project outcomes and our ongoing strategic
planning process. Join us for an exciting interactive town hall meeting in which you will hear about proposed future plans
and provide important feedback.
HILL DAY
On Tuesday afternoon, conference attendees will proceed to Capitol Hill for meetings with Congressional Representatives,
U.S. Senators, and their respective policy advisors. This important event is an opportunity to acquaint policymakers with the
vital work of Children’s Advocacy Centers. See Hill Day Essentials later in the brochure.
CONFERENCE TRACKS
Throughout the agenda you will find sessions designated for specific tracks. They are identified by the placement of their
track designation following the title and description of each session.
MANAGEMENT TRACK – Sessions on establishing solid business practices.
FUNDING AND FISCAL MANAGEMENT – Sessions that provide guidance on financial practices, innovative funding
opportunities, and capital campaigns.
INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND APPROACHES (for Mental Health, Prevention, Advocacy and Medical) – Sessions
that provide information on innovative approaches for direct service practices based upon recent research or application
in the field.
CHAPTER TRACK – Sessions for chapter staff and chapter board officers.
SUNDAY, MAY 31
CONFERENCE CHECK-IN / 2:00 - 4:30PM
OPENING RECEPTION & NCA ANNUAL AWARDS / 5:00 - 7:00PM
Join us in the hotel’s Grand Ballroom North for the kick-off to Leadership Conference 2015. Meet up with old friends,
make new acquaintances, meet those voices from phone calls, teleconferences, and webinars and, talk to those names
you recognize from NCA’s Listservs. We hope you can join us and take advantage of this superb opportunity to network
and form relationships with NCA staff, board members, and CAC leaders from across the country. The presentation of
NCA’s Annual Awards recognizing outstanding service in the Children’s Advocacy Center movement will occur during the
reception. Please join NCA in recognizing the awardees who work every day to keep children safe.
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MONDAY, JUNE 1
CONFERENCE CHECK-IN AND INFORMATION / 7:00AM - 5:00PM
PLENARY KEYNOTE PRESENTATION / 8:00 - 9:30AM
Servant Leadership: The Time is Now!
Vicki Clark, Building the Capacity of Organizations, Memphis, TN
Robert Greenleaf coined the term servant-leadership in his seminal 1970 essay, “The Servant as Leader.” The servantleader serves others, rather than others serving the leader. Serving others thus comes by helping them to develop, achieve,
and improve. There is great congruence between this philosophy and the work to empower people in local communities to
serve child victims of abuse that CAC leaders and MDT members are involved in everyday.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS I / 9:45 - 11:15AM
Session A: Volunteers As Customers
Vicki Clark, Building the Capacity of Organizations, Memphis, TN
Volunteerism is on the rise. For the first time we have four generations of people available and willing to get involved. If
we are to tap into their energy, talent and time we must look to a new relationship between volunteers and organizations.
The engagement of volunteers is a critical element in the work to serve child victims of abuse. Using Peter Drucker’s 5
questions for Leaders and Volunteer Development Cycle, this session will provide strategies for volunteer development.
Suggested Track: Management
Session B: Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Sexually Abused Children
Stephen Budde - Juvenile Protection Assn, Jan Waters - Chicago CAC and Wendy Walsh - University of NH
This workshop will present findings on one of the most comprehensive and innovative collaborations in the country to
more effectively engage sexually abused children in evidence based mental health services. The Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation and numerous other foundations awarded the Chicago CAC and a network of treatment providers grants to
improve access and quality of services. Evaluation findings show promising but complicated results. There were many
contextual factors influencing mental health engagement. This workshop will describe this five year initiative and highlight
strategies and outcomes, barriers, and lessons learned.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session C: Social Networking and Protecting Your Agency and Staff
Justin Fitzsimmons - Program Manager & Lauren Wagner - Training Specialist, SEARCH Group, Inc.
Nothing is more important than staff safety, whether investigating cases or on the computer. Participants learn how they
leave traces of themselves when visiting websites and how to ensure that they are not compromising their safety or their
investigations by broadcasting this information. Hypotheticals are given to encourage audience participation and interaction
in determining whether social media use crosses an ethical boundary. Privacy issues are also addressed.
Suggested Track: Management
Session D: Board Member BINGO
Lynn Rioth and Brett Kelso, Outreach Coordinators, Western Regional Children’s Advocacy Center
How to win at the game of working with your non-profit Board of Directors. Come and play Board member BINGO while
learning how to strategically recruit, retain, release and energize your board members. As regional staff, we have created
this training from questions and requests we have received from centers. This session is too much fun for a conference!
Suggested Track: Management
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Session E: Building Smart Programs that Attract Funding: How NCA and Chapters can Work Together
Bryan Boeskin - Sr. Director of Development - NCA, Karla Tye - MS Chapter, and Kim Hamm - SC Chapter
This session will provide a primer on smart program/project and proposal development. This session will also offer
information on the key elements of a successful proposal and the groundwork that needs to occur prior to drafting and
submitting a funding proposal. The role of logic models and evaluation in the proposal development process will also be
discussed. The session will include a panel discussion with Chapter Directors who have worked cooperatively with NCA to
recently secure private grant funding.
Suggested Track: Chapter
Session F: The NCA Medical Standard: How to Address Meeting the Peer Review Component and CE Requirements
Kim Martinez - Program Manager Midwest Regional CAC & Kori Stephens - Project Director Midwest Regional CAC
This workshop will address the updated NCA medical standard’s peer review and continuing education requirement. It will
focus on resources available to help meet the requirements proposed by the NCA Medical Standard and focus on low-cost,
readily available options.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session G: CACs and MDTs are Key to Responding to Child Trafficking
Susan Goldfarb - Executive Director & Beth Bouchard - SEEN Program, CAC of Suffolk County, Boston, MA
Why does multidisciplinary collaboration matter when working with child victims of commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC)?
What does a CSEC MDT really look like? In the last ten years, the Support to End Exploitation Now (SEEN) program of
the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County has received referrals and provided a coordinated, multidisciplinary
response for more than 900 exploited and at-risk children in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, alone. Using case examples
and lessons learned, this workshop will describe the SEEN model, illustrate how its multidisciplinary team prevents and
responds to commercial sexual exploitation and discuss how SEEN is expanding its collaboration to create a network of
CAC-based multidisciplinary CSEC teams across Massachusetts.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session H: Medical Examinations for Acute Child Sexual Abuse: Description of a Statewide System
Theodore Cross - Professor Univ of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign & Joan Meunier-Sham - MA SANE Program
In a small but important proportion of child sexual abuse cases, victims receive medical examinations within 72 hours of a
sexual assault with the possibility of DNA recovery and rapid documentation of injuries. This evidence may facilitate arrest
and prosecution. This presentation describes Massachusetts’ statewide system of response to acute child sexual abuse
and innovative pediatric forensic evidence kit, and presents medical and crime laboratory findings from a statewide sample
of cases. There was evidence for injury in more than one quarter of these acute cases and biological evidence in one third.
This workshop will discuss opportunities for CACs to promote an effective acute medical response to child victims.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
PLENARY LUNCHEON & KEYNOTE PRESENTATION / 11:30AM - 1:30PM
Reflections on the Battle and the Backlash
Ross Cheit, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, Brown University
It has been twenty-five years since David Hechler’s prescient book. The Battle and the Backlash examined the emerging
“child abuse wars.” This presentation will examine social and legal trends since then. There have been important
improvements, particularly involving Child Advocacy Centers, but significant reasons for concern remain. Media coverage
which is often slanted towards defendants and interest groups, ranging from “father’s rights” to “false memory,” continue to
attack child abuse professionals.
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CONCURRENT SESSIONS II / 1:45 - 3:15PM
Session A: Disconfirmation Bias & the Problem of Defense-based Research in Psychology
Ross Cheit, Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, Brown University
Academic psychologist have published scores of studies about child suggestibility. These studies, which focus on the
problem of confirmation bias, have had a significant influence on courts and on public opinion. There is a polar opposite
problem that remains under-appreciated: disconfirmation bias. This workshop will focus on the inherent bias of academic
research that is defense-based.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session B: Victims of Crime Act and CACs - Advocacy and next steps
Denise Edwards - Director Government Affairs NCA & Steve Derene - Nat’l Assoc VOCA Assistance Administrators
This briefing will focus on the Victims of Crime Act/Crime Victims Fund and CACs. With the increase in funding now
available for VOCA grants and proposed overhaul legislation, this briefing will discuss new proposed changes to make
forensic interview costs reimbursable under VOCA, as well as strategies on accessing these funds at the State and Local
level.
Suggested Track: Chapter
Session C: Embracing the Cloud: A review of web based applications and their role in the CAC
Greg Flett & Michele Mullen , Outreach Coordinators NRCAC
This workshop will provide a conversation about technology in the CAC. With the rapidly changing landscape of cloud
based technology its almost impossible to stay up to date on ways to make our work easier. It’s equally difficult to know
what will help, and what will end up wasting precious time and resources. This workshop will explore several free or low
cost web based applications that can help increase efficiency, improve communication, and enhance team collaboration.
Topics will include: Communication, Fundraising, Data Management, Information Sharing, and Team Collaboration.
Suggested Track: Management
Session D: Exploring Partnerships: A Study of Collaboration Between CACs and Rape Crisis Centers
Dr. Kathryn Bonach, Dr. Dana Hysock Witham - Indiana University of PA, Dr. Teresa Smith - Northeast Regional
CAC & Alexa Livelsberger - Children’s Advocacy Coordinator/PCAR
The benefits of community partnerships are explored and study results of the collaboration between Children’s Advocacy
Centers and Rape Crisis Centers will be presented. Sharing the mission to assist child victims of sexual abuse and their
families, collaboration between Children’s Advocacy Centers and Rape Crisis Centers is important to ensure the provision
of services as part of a multi-system response to child maltreatment. This research study explored factors that contribute to
and/or hinder successful collaboration. Study results and examples of successful collaboration models will be discussed to
foster the ability for Children’s Advocacy Centers and Rape Crisis Centers to enhance interagency relationships.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session E: Capital Campaigns: The Next Generation
Tom Ralser, Principal, Convergent Nonprofit Solutions
Capital campaigns seem to be the only form of fundraising that hasn’t moved into the 21st century. The old ways don’t work
as well as they used to, and the appeals that used to work are becoming increasingly ineffective. Funders of nonprofits are
getting more requests, and are more demanding and sophisticated, then ever before. In this session, Tom will introduce
you to the next generation of capital campaigns, including the proper positioning, more effective appeals, and streamlined
campaign structures.
Suggested Track: Funding & Fiscal Management
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Session F: Integrating EMDR into CAC Settings
Cherilyn Rowland Petrie, Kids House, Sanford, Florida
EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a dynamic, flexible, evidenced-based treatment that
is an effective treatment approach for use with survivors of trauma and abuse. This workshop will provide an overview of
EMDR Therapy, research supporting its efficacy and comparing it to other established evidenced-based treatments, and
explain both how and why EMDR should be considered for use in CAC settings. Specific skills to integrate EMDR into
existing CACs will be presented.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session G: CAC’s and ABC’s: What’s trauma got to do with it?
Rachael Garrett & Elizabeth R. Ciesar, The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center, Charleston, SC
Research confirms that children who have been maltreated are more likely to experience adverse outcomes within a
number of areas that impact school success. The Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center Child Abuse School Liaison
(CASL) Program is designed to help CACs address this issue and engage educators in the MDT response. Participants will
gain knowledge and have access to materials that will allow them to implement the CASL Program in their own community.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session H: CACs and Research: A Review of What We Have Learned and a Look to the Future
Theodore Cross - Professor Univ of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign & Wendy A. Walsh - Univ of New Hampshire
Research has played an important role in the development of CACs, by informing the development of CAC standards,
providing some empirical validation for the model, and contributing new knowledge to improve the response to victims.
In addition to discussing the latest research findings, this workshop will review research on the impact of CACs and their
practices, describe CACs’ advantages for research, and discuss ideas for a future CAC research agenda.
Suggested Track: Management
CONCURRENT SESSIONS III / 3:30 - 5:00PM
Session A: Creating Value For Your Membership
Kristie Palestino, Director of Chapter Development, NCA
This workshop will give participants a step by step guide to providing an actual experience of value to their members. This
will include how to assess what it will take for our members to survive, how to determine what they need to thrive, how do
we meet those needs, and how do we communicate our value to them.
Suggested Track: Chapter
Session B: The Value of Outcomes: Using Data to Improve Services, Raise Funding, and Increase Awareness
Kaitlin Lounsbury - OMS Coordinator NCA & Irina Hein - Director Member Relations and Grants NCA
In this session, we will demonstrate how centers can use the Outcome Measurement System (OMS) to achieve a variety of
goals. Examples will also be given for how to share OMS results to improve grant applications, increase public awareness
of CACs, support changes in legislation, and build partnerships with other organizations.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session C: Sharing Your “Why” with the World: Leveraging Social Media to Connect with Your Community
Jordan Benning, Program Manager, Quality Assurance & Communications, Midwest Regional CAC
Social media can serve as a powerful tool to communicate your agency’s mission and successes with the broader
community. Attendees will leave this session with a series of template images for social media posts, a guide listing low-cost
social media and design resources, and increased knowledge to help them maximize their social media investments.
Suggested Track: Management
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Session D: The Role of Advocacy: Six Guiding Principles
Beth Olson, Executive Director, First Witness Child Advocacy Center, Duluth, MN
Advocates are uniquely situated to see the whole picture of the MDT response to child abuse and the impact on the child
and family. While we frequently discuss the role and perspective of other MDT members, the advocate perspective is often
misunderstood. The presenter will introduce six guiding principles for advocates that can help them work with families,
create system and social change, and develop meaningful programs within their CAC.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session E: Creating a CAC Legal Toolkit for Effective Responses In and Out of Court
Andrew Agatston, CEO/General Counsel, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia
It is inevitable that a CAC’s involvement with children who are suspected victims of child abuse will involve legal matters.
A proper response to legal matters, and being prepared to participate in matters of legal justice, must be seen as a large
part of advocacy for children. This workshop describes and creates a legal “toolkit” for CACs so that they will have legally
reliable and effective responses to the myriad of legal demands that they encounter, inside and outside of the courtroom.
Suggested Track: Management
Session F: Home Visiting: Reducing Barriers to Accessing Services
Abbie Bolkcom-Smith, Family Services Director, CornerHouse, Minneapolis, MN
We know that support of a caregiver is one of the most important factors in the healing of a child after an incidence of
abuse. We also know that sexual abuse often results in the alienation of a child from his or her family, making the support
of the non-offending caregiver even more vital to that child’s recovery. This session will cover the philosophy behind the
home visiting approach, along with research that shows the effectiveness of home visiting in helping parents gain the skills
and resources needed to provide safe nurturing environments for their children.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session G: “Protecting our Children: Advice From Child Molesters” Oregon’s Child Safety & Prevention Model
Cory Jewell Jensen, Co-Director, Center for Behavioral Intervention, Beaverton, Oregon
Participants will have an opportunity to review Oregon’s grassroots prevention project. Initially developed by two veteran
sex offender treatment providers, “PYC” has grown into a multi-state, multi-disciplinary child abuse prevention campaign.
The project was designed to educate parents, youth service staff, educators, community volunteers, and the faith
community about child sexual abuse, offender behavior, risk management, and effective prevention strategies.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session H: Hill Day Preparation and Information Briefing
Denise Edwards - Executive Director of Government Affairs NCA & Tom King - Director MA Children’s Alliance
This briefing will be a background/primer on current CAC-related legislation in Congress. The session is an opportunity for
all attendees to ask questions and prepare for their Hill Day meetings. We will also provide real examples of what to expect
in the Hill meetings, as well as how to answer curve ball questions from lawmakers and staff.
Suggested Track: All Conference Attendees
Conference Sessions conclude for the day. See the next page for the Tuesday Schedule.
CONFERENCE HANDOUTS AND SESSION PRESENTATIONS
As part of NCA’s efforts to “Go Green”, paper handouts are not provided. If provided by the presenters, workshop session
handouts and presentations will be available for download and printing from NCA’s conference webpage prior to and after
the conference. Materials and handouts will be posted on the conference webpage under the associated lead presenter for
each session and remain available until June 30.
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TUESDAY, JUNE 2
NCA ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING / 8:00 - 10:00AM
This year the annual membership meeting will focus on your inputs through project outcomes and our ongoing strategic
planning process. Join us for an exciting interactive town hall meeting in which you will hear about proposed future plans
and provide important feedback.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS IV / 10:15 - 11:30AM
Session A: Identifying Funding Sources and Navigating the Proposal Process
Bryan Boeskin, Senior Director of Development, NCA
This session will provide information on how to identify public, private, and corporate funding sources and methods to
evaluate the sources to determine those which might be the best fit for your project, program or activity. The session will
discuss various proposal processes such as Letters of Inquiry (LOI), Request for Proposals(RFPs/RFAs), invited proposals,
and unsolicited proposals, and how to navigate these processes. We will discuss how to approach funding sources outside
the formal proposal process and the key elements to include in a successful proposal.
Suggested Track: Funding & Fiscal Management
Session B: When the Abuse of Animals Harms Children: Unlocking a Child’s Story
Allie Phillips, Director, National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse
When children witness harm to their pet, it can forever impact their health and wellbeing and could lead to subsequent
perpetration of harm towards animals and people. This session will cover the newest research on how animal abuse
impacts children and how to talk to a child about animals and unlock the dynamics in the home.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session C: “CFTSI: An Evidence-Based Brief Intervention for Child Victims in a Child Advocacy Setting”
Carrie Epstein, Steven Margans, Hilary Hahn - Yale University School of Medicine & Nancy Arnow - Safe Horizon Inc
This workshop will describe a collaborative partnership and process that has been developed between the Yale Child Study
Center and Safe Horizon in implementing an early, brief, evidence-based intervention, the Child and Family Traumatic
Stress Intervention (CFTSI) at four fully co-located, nationally accredited Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) in New York City.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session D: Revised NCA Accreditation Standards ‑ A Look Ahead
Jan Dunn - Accreditation Coordinator NCA & Alyson MacKenzie - Senior Accreditation Associate NCA
NCA’s National Standards for Accreditation are evidence-supported. As such, they evolve over time and require revision as
research progresses. NCA has conducted a comprehensive review of the current accreditation standards in order to ensure
that the standards take into consideration the newest evidence-based practices in the field, and convey clear and concise
uniform thresholds. This workshop will introduce the highlights of the revision process and demonstrate how the revisions
will achieve an improved balance between protocol and sound practice for Accredited CACs across the country.
Suggested Track: Management
Session E: Text Messaging Follow Up to Improve Care After Sexual Assault
Nancy Downing - Assistant Professor - University of Iowa College of Nursing & Richard J. Bogue - PhD, FACHE
This Session is Sponsored by the Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center
A University of Iowa research team is piloting an automated text-messaging program to improve follow-up care for patients
who received sexual assault exams. In this workshop, we will present theory and development of the program, technical
troubleshooting, and feasibility study results. We will facilitate a discussion on how this program can be expanded and
adapted to other populations, including non-offending caregivers of children who have been sexually assaulted.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
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Session F: Expanding Services and Helping Kids ‑ Satellite Membership with NCA
Irina Hein - Director Member Relations & Grants NCA & Ivy Svoboda - Nebraska Chapter NCA
The session will highlight the requirements and the process of becoming a Satellite member with NCA. It will focus on the
work of the CACs in Nebraska in developing a state plan that incorporates this new membership category. The session will
also delve into the experience of the Nebraska CACs in gaining support from the community and funding for the Satellites.
Suggested Track: Management
Session G: When a Child Takes it Back: Successfully Prosecuting a Case with a Recanting Victim
Mary‑Ann Burkhart, Director, National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse
Recantation is very common in child abuse cases, as evidenced not only by current available studies, but also in the
personal experiences of child abuse professionals. This workshop will explore the realities of recantation, the common
reasons for recantation, suggestions for avoiding recantation and helpful hints to help recanting victims through the system;
whether recantation occurs in the investigative phase, the pretrial phase or during trial itself.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session H: Hill Day Preparation and Information Briefing
Denise Edwards - Executive Director of Government Affairs NCA & Tom King - Director MA Children’s Alliance
This session is a repeat of the Hill Day session from Monday afternoon for those who could not attend that session.
Suggested Track: Chapter
CONCURRENT SESSIONS V / 11:45AM - 1:00PM
Session A: From Vanilla to Rocky Road: One Chapter’s account of diversifying revenue while having a little fun
Tom King - Executive Director MA Children’s Alliance & Brenda Noel - Principal, Brenda Noel Consulting
This workshop will review the early starts and stops to tackling diversity in funding by the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance
and will highlight recent successes with implementing a development plan, re-invigorating its development committee and
partnering with a development consultant. The session will offer concrete ways in which Chapters and like organizations
can begin this work while engaging participants in a lively interactive conversation.
Suggested Track: Chapter
Session B: Therapy Animals Supporting Children: Policy & Practice Supporting Your New Comfort Team Member
Allie Phillips, Director, National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse
When a child has been maltreated, disclosing to a stranger can be difficult and testifying in court can be traumatic. When
registered therapy animals are incorporated into the process, children feel safe and more comfortable to speak about their
experiences. This workshop will detail how to partner with animal-assisted therapy teams, do’s and don’ts for incorporating
therapy animals as greeters, in forensic interviews, medical exams, therapy, court preparation, and courtroom testimony.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session C: CFTSI: An Evidence-Based Brief Intervention for Children in Out of Home Placements
Carrie Epstein, Megan Goslin - Yale University School Medicine & Nancy Arnow - Safe Horizon Inc.
Using case material, this workshop will describe the development, adoption, implementation, and initial evaluation of a
treatment application of the Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI) that was specifically developed for
children in foster care who are seen in a Child Advocacy setting.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session D: Leaving Bias at the door: Interviewing Children with Disabilities
Beth Reiman, Westchester Institute for Human Development / Children’s Advocacy Center, Valhalla, NY
Children with disabilities are at higher risk for being abused and therefore are more likely to participate in forensic
interviews. Conducting interviews with a child with a disability offers unique challenges and requires more than simply
identifying the disability. This workshop will discuss research findings regarding the impact of bias about disabilities in the
forensic interview. It will also offer suggestions about strategies for interviewing a child with a disability.
Suggested Track: Management
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Session E: CAC Research: Improving Care and Proving Outcomes in Your CAC
Jeffrey Wherry, Director, Research Institute, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
”Research” is a scary word, so let’s start with “program evaluation.” Learn about how to identify partners in your community
and elsewhere to assist in program evaluation/research partnerships which can improve the care you provide to children
and families, while simultaneously demonstrating positive outcomes for funders. We will outline processes applicable for
CACs across the nation and describe projects underway at the Research Institute of the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center.
Suggested Track: Management
Session F: Fostering a Culture of Care, Without Compromise
Michele Booth Cole, Rose Gordy, Marcia Davis, Allison Spangler, & Cindy Bridgman, Safe Shores , Washington, DC
The work conducted at a CAC is difficult on many levels and can be taxing on staff members, no matter how dedicated
they are. This session will demonstrate efforts proven effective in increasing productivity, decreasing attrition, and setting a
standard of integrity among the CAC staff. Goals, implementation, and results will be provided from various vantage points.
Suggested Track: Management
Session G: Forensic Interviewing in Tribal Communities
Bethany Case, Office for Victims of Crime, Washington, DC
Forensic Interviewing and the use of CACs are now widely accepted approaches across the Nation, yet many Tribal
communities still struggle to establish and sustain these approaches to child abuse. This workshop will explore the
challenges faced by Tribal communities and ways that Tribal communities are addressing and healing from child abuse in
ways that are rooted in Tribal culture.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session H: What Difference Does It Make? TF‑CBT Training and Therapists’ Practice
Deb Anderson, Director of Connections, Project Harmony CAC, Omaha, NE
In recent years, CACs have invested in evidence-based practice training for therapists, resulting in wide-spread
dissemination of TF-CBT and other trauma-focused initiatives. The purpose of this presentation is to describe the results of
two studies undertaken by a CAC and a local university to study the dissemination of TF-CBT among a group of community
mental health practitioners.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
NETWORKING LUNCHEON & HILL DAY ANNOUNCEMENTS / 1:00 - 1:30PM
A box lunch will be served for all conferences attendees who sign up for the lunch during registration. There will be
about 15 minutes dedicated to any last minute announcements and logistics for the afternoon Hill Day visits. Conference
attendees will have time to network with their teams prior to the Hill Day visits.
AFTERNOON HILL DAY VISITS / 1:30 - 5:00PM
Conference participants will proceed to Capitol Hill for pre-scheduled appointments with their Congressional
Representatives and State Senators. Be sure to attend the Hill Day session at the conference Monday and/or the
networking luncheon on Tuesday to obtain important information for your Hill Day visits. For additional information on Hill
Day and the entire process, see the Hill Day essentials information in this brochure.
Conference Sessions conclude for the day. See the next page for the Wednesday Schedule.
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE EXHIBITORS / ALL DAY MONDAY & TUESDAY
There are a number of exhibitors at the Leadership Conference who support the work you do by offering a wide range of
products and services. Please take some time to visit the exhibitors and thank them for their support of the Leadership
Conference. These visits will help you learn how the products and services these exhibitors offer might be able to make a
difference for you and the work you do.
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2015PAGE 11
NATIONAL CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3
CONCURRENT SESSIONS VI / 8:30 - 9:45AM
Session A: Board Diversification - What’s the Big Deal?
Kristie Palestino, Director of Chapter Development
This workshop will demonstrate the positive side of diversifying your board of directors. We will look at different models
of diversification. We will address the fears associated with diversifying, and we will give a step by step example of how to
diversify the board.
Suggested Track: Chapter
Session B: A Blueprint for Assessing Abuse in Runaway Youth: Disclosures, Health Needs and Teaming
Laurel Edinburgh, Project leader Runaway Intervention Program, Midwest Children’s Resource Center
This workshop will examine the abuse prevalence and characteristics of abuse types disclosed at a Midwest, urban Child
Advocacy Center in youth that have runaway from home. While it is well established that teens who runaway from home
experience high rates of abuse, Child Advocacy Centers have not yet taken the lead in their communities to provide child
abuse assessments to these vulnerable children. This workshop will explain why this care is needed and how it can be
implemented in a network of Child Advocacy Centers across the United States.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session C: Creating A Community Culture Change
Libby Ralston, Director Emeritus, Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center, Charleston, SC, & Jason Mitchell
This workshop will highlight a new City initiative in Charleston, SC. The purpose of this project is to empower adult
employees and volunteers of the City to take action to protect children who are experiencing abuse. The City Protection
Project created policies and procedures for City employees and volunteers that guide and direct their response to the
issue of abuse. A training curriculum supports leadership and supervisors in the implementation of this culture change and
provides guidance to all employees regarding their role as a protective resource for children.
Suggested Track: Innovative Programs & Approaches
Session D: Revised NCA Accreditation Standards ‑ A Look Ahead
Jan Dunn, Accreditation Coordinator, NCA & Alyson MacKenzie
NCA’s National Standards for Accreditation are evidence-supported. As such, they evolve over time and require revision as
research progresses. NCA has conducted a comprehensive review of the current accreditation standards in order to ensure
that the standards take into consideration the newest evidence-based practices in the field, and convey clear and concise
uniform thresholds. This workshop will introduce the highlights of the revision process and demonstrate how the revisions
will achieve an improved balance between protocol and sound practice for Accredited CACs across the country.
Suggested Track: Management
REGIONAL CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER MEETING / 10:00 - 11:30AM
All participants are invited to join the staff of their respective Regional Children’s Advocacy Center for this important
networking opportunity. Interact with other CAC directors, leaders, and chapter representatives. Discussions will include
updates on current regional activities, initiatives, and ideas for strategic future planning.
Session A: Northeast Regional CAC
Session C: Midwest Regional CAC
Session B: Western Regional CAC
Session D: Southern Regional CAC
CONFERENCE ADJOURNS / 11:30AM
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2015PAGE 12
NATIONAL CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE
HILL DAY ESSENTIALS
HILL DAY INFORMATION SESSION
These sessions provide an excellent opportunity for new members to “learn the ropes” for meeting with Representatives, Senators,
and members of their staff. The sessions will be a facilitated opportunity for CAC and Chapter representatives to discuss Hill Day
objectives. NCA representatives will share their impressions of a successful Hill visit and give guidance on logistics. Bring your
questions and concerns about Hill Day to these sessions. Participants will receive their Hill Day Packets. All are welcome and at least
one representative from your state group attending Hill Day should plan to attending one of the sessions. There will also be last minute
Hill Day announcements during the networking lunch on Tuesday.
HILL DAY VISITS
The purpose of Hill Day is to provide Chapter staff, CAC directors, staff, and board members the opportunity to meet
with their elected Representatives and Senators to acquaint them with the work of local Children’s Advocacy Centers and National
Children’s Alliance. Beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, conference participants will proceed to Capitol Hill for pre-scheduled
appointments with their Congressional Representatives and State Senators. Every participant is strongly encouraged to set aside
the afternoon to make these visits. Congressional and Senatorial schedules fill up quickly so participants should schedule these
appointments as soon as possible.
HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT TO SAY?
During the Hill Day Information Sessions on Monday and Tuesday, NCA representatives will prepare conference attendees for their Hill
Day meetings. Comprehensive talking points and Hill Day briefing packets will be available for all conference participants. The packets
will contain information about the National Children’s Alliance including statistics from Children’s Advocacy Centers nationally, NCA’s
federal appropriation request, and state service coverage maps. Please bring informational materials from your local CAC. Suggestions
include local statistics, your agency’s annual report, brochures, and other pertinent information pertaining to your local program.
Remember to bring your business cards. Congressional Representatives and Senators want information about what is happening in
their own state.
MAKING THE APPOINTMENT
For those who are not familiar with Capitol Hill, planning a meeting with your Member of Congress or U.S. Senator can feel intimidating;
take a deep breath and relax. Remember, they were elected by the people to represent the people. They are here in Washington, DC
to represent you.
Call the Member of Congress’ office and ask to speak with the Member’s scheduler. State your name and the name of your CAC. Let
the scheduler know that you are a constituent and would like to schedule an appointment with Representative/ Senator (insert name)
regarding issues pertaining to your Children’s Advocacy Center. The scheduler will probably ask you to fax or email him/her the details,
or you may complete a “request for meeting” form on the Member’s website. Once all of the pertinent details and materials have been
received, the schedule will either add you to the Representative/Senator’s schedule, or suggest that you meet with a member of the
Representative/ Senator’s staff. Do not get discouraged if you are asked to meet with a member of the staff. The staff plays a significant
and knowledgeable role in informing their bosses on important issues. Also, don’t get discouraged if you have to leave a message, and
do not hesitate to call back if your call has not been returned within a few days.
When planning visits to your two U.S. Senators’ offices, team up and coordinate appointments with other conference participants from
your state. NCA recommends that Chapters take the lead in scheduling Senate appointments. Senate offices and Representative
offices are on different sides of the Capitol. Avoid substantial travel time and sore tired feet by scheduling meetings with Senators close
together and meetings with Representatives close together.
CONGRESSIONAL PHONE NUMBERS
To make an appointment with your U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators, please call the United States Capitol
Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative/Senator’s office(s). If you do not know who your
Representative and Senators are, please visit www.house.gov and www.senate.gov. These websites will use zip code matching to find
your elected officials. Another helpful website is www.votesmart.org.
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2015
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NATIONAL CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE
CONFERENCE LOGISTICS
TUITION
Accredited, Associate/Developing, Satellite, Affiliate, or Chapter members receive a discounted registration as indicated below:
Early Registration by May 1, 2015
Member: $550
Non-member: $600
Late Registration after May 1, 2015
Member: $600
Non-member: $650
Registration cancellations must be made in writing. Cancellations received by NCA on or before May 1, 2015 will be refunded at 80%
of the full tuition. Refunds will NOT be given for cancellations received after May 1, 2015 or for participants who register but do not
attend. All eligible refunds will be issued after the conclusion of the conference. Transfer of registration fees to another person attending
LC2015 may be done without penalty, at any time upon notification to the Conference Coordinator. Unused, paid registration fees
cannot be charged against an NCA grant.
For further information contact:
Thomas Knapp, Leadership Conference Coordinator
National Children’s Alliance
516 C Street NE Washington DC 20002
Email: [email protected] Phone: 202-548-0090 ext.114
Tuition includes entry to all of the conference sessions, daily breakfast, refreshment breaks, luncheons, networking reception, and
conference participant materials.
REGISTRATION AVAILABILITY
Register early. Registration is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registrations will be confirmed
prior to the conference via email. Registrations and payment should be submitted by May 15, 2015 to ensure proper processing.
Registrations are not guaranteed and cannot be confirmed until payment is received. NCA encourages all attendees to register online
at www.nationalchildrensalliance.org. With online registration you can pay by credit card or print an invoice for check payment.
TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON, DC
Three major airports serve the Washington, DC area:
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and
• Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)
Of the three airports, Reagan National Airport is the closest and travel to the conference hotel by taxi or Metro (Washington’s subway
system) is simple. Dulles and BWI airports are approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour from the conference hotel; private shuttles or private
transportation is recommended when flying into these airports.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The Renaissance Washington DC hotel, located at 999 – 9th Street NW is home to Leadership Conference 2015. All
conference sessions will be at the hotel which is centrally located in Penn Quarter, adjacent to the Washington Convention Center and
within 2 blocks of the Metro, Chinatown, numerous restaurants and entertainment on 7th and H Streets.
A block of rooms has been set up at the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel at the federal rate of $229.00 per night plus tax (currently
14.5% per room per night) for single and double occupancy. The room block will expire May 8, 2015.
Note: Rooms may sell-out prior to May 8th. Once all rooms have been sold, the rooming block will close. Please make your
reservations early. For reservations, call (800) 468-3571 and ask for the NCA Leadership Conference Rate. You may also visit the
Leadership Conference page of the NCA website for a link to the hotel’s online reservation system.
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2015
PAGE 14
NATIONAL CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE
2015 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM
Please complete all fields
Name _____________________________________________________ Title _______________________________ Organization ____________________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address _________________________________________________________________________________
City ______________________________________________________ State ______ Zip ___________________ Phone __________________________ Email Address _________________________________________________
Demographics: From the list below, please check the box that best describes your professional activities.
CAC Management ____ MDT Member ____ Chapter ____ CAC/Chapter Board Member ____ Other ____
Tuition: You must be affiliated with a NCA Accredited, Associate/Developing, Satellite, Affiliate or Chapter Member organization to select the member rate.
Check the tuition amount that applies (single day rates are available online) and indicate if you will be eating the provided lunch at the conference.
Early Registration by May 1, 2015 Late Registration after May 1, 2015 Monday Lunch
Tuesday Lunch
Member $550 ______
Member $600 ______
Yes___ No___
Yes___ No___
Non-Member $600 ______
Non-Member $650 ______
Vegetarian Lunches: Yes___ No___
Select Method of Payment (Once payment is received, confirmation of registration will be forwarded by email):
____ Check enclosed, made payable to National Children’s Alliance
____ Credit card payment
Please charge my:
Visa ___
MasterCard ___
For the amount of $________________________
Card#_________________________________________ Exp. Date____________ Security Code_______ Cardholder’s Name______________________________
Cardholder’s Phone________________________
Signature______________________________________
Date____________________________________ Are you attending the Leadership Conference as a requirement of your current NCA Grant?
*Yes____
No____
*If attending as a requirement of your grant, you must pay the tuition fee when registering and request reimbursement at the conclusion of the conference.
Session Preferences: To ensure adequate seating for concurrent sessions, please check your choice for each set of sessions
Concurrent Session I
A
B
C
D
E
F
Concurrent Session II
G
H
A
B
Concurrent Session IV
A
B
C
D
E
F
C
D
E
F
Concurrent Session III
G
H
Concurrent Session V
G
H
A
B
C
D
E
F
A
B
C
D
E
Concurrent Session VI
G
H
A
B
C
D
F
G
H
Regional CACs
A
B
C
D
All registrations should be received by May 16, 2015. We encourage you to register online at www.nationalchildrensalliance.org
To register by US mail send this form to:
Conference Coordinator
National Children’s Alliance
516 C Street
Washington, DC 20002
This form may be faxed or emailed to:
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 202-548-0099
Credit card information is required
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2015PAGE 15
516 C St. NE
Washington DC 20002