PROGRAM INFORMATION Berkshire County Kids’ Place & Violence Prevention Center, Inc. 3rd Annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference Prevention, Intervention and Treatment Strategies for Our Community Date: Thursday, May 1, 2014 Location: Country Club of Pittsfield, 639 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 Registration & Continental Breakfast: 7:30am – 8:00am Program: 8:00am -4:30pm Fees: Community Professionals $75.00 Student $55.00 Registration fee includes: Continental Breakfast, Lunch and Certificate of Completion Credits/Contact/Clock Hours: 6.9 Credits for Continuing Education for Nursing, Substance Abuse Counselors, , LMHC, LMFT, PT, EMT, Dental Assistants and Hygienists. 6.5 SW, EMT Certificate of Attendance provided for all other participants. Credits are available for $20.00. Please include an additional $20 if credits are needed. Payments must be mailed to: Kids’ Place, 63 Wendell Ave. Pittsfield, MA 01201 Certificates will be mailed to the participant 4-6 weeks after the conference. Education Level: Intermediate Conference Goal/Target Audience: This is a full day multidisciplinary conference about the prevention of and the response to child abuse and neglect. Conference Goals:  To educate professionals on the complex issues associated with child abuse prevention, intervention and treatment strategies.  Expand each participant’s knowledge base of the broad range of topics related to child abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, trauma and internet based predators.  Recognize the secondary traumatization and it’s effect on the professionals that work with those exposed to trauma.  Increase each participant’s knowledge of the various roles of a multidisciplinary team that works together in the "best interest of the child". Target Audience: Professionals working within the areas of medical, legal, law enforcement, social work, mental health, education, emergency response and community based services and organizations. Conference Agenda 7:30am– 8:00am: Registration & Continental Breakfast 8:00am – 8:10am: Opening Remarks, Christa Collier, MS, LSW, Director, Berkshire County Kids’ Place Berkshire County Kids' Place and Violence Prevention Center, is an fully accredited Children’s Advocacy Center which provides an interdisciplinary, cooperative team approach to address the needs of children subjected to violence as victims or as witnesses and to their non-offending family members. Objective:  Recognize that the role of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in the community is to coordinate a response to childhood trauma. 8:10am- 8:20am: Opening Remarks, Rachael Eramo, Assistant District Attorney, Berkshire District Attorney’s Office The Berkshire District Attorney’s Sexual Assault Intervention Network (SAIN) Team (a partnership among social services, prosecution, victim advocacy, law enforcement, medical and mental health) provides an interdisciplinary, cooperative team approach to address the needs of children subjected to violence as victims or as witnesses and to their non-offending family members and to ensure an effective response to childhood trauma. Objective:  Recognize the system in place in the Berkshires and throughout the Commonwealth to protect children and respond to allegations of child abuse. 8:20am – 10:00am: Child Sexual Exploitation in Massachusetts Elizabeth Bouchard, Suffolk County Children’s Advocacy Center Description: This training examines lessons learned by the SEEN (Support to End Exploitation Now) Coalition of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County in establishing a collaborative, multidisciplinary response to commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). Case examples are used to illustrate various forms of CSEC and risks exploited youth face, to promote recognition of CSEC indicators and victim identification, and to highlight key community partners that intersect CSEC cases. The training outlines the fundamental principles of SEEN’s local response protocol and engages participants in examining the critical components of an effective interagency response. Objectives:    Identify unique needs and complex trauma of exploited and at-risk youth. Identify essential cross-systems partners within a comprehensive response to CSEC. Examine core elements of a successful multidisciplinary response to commercial sexual exploitation of children. 10:00am - 10:15am: BREAK 10:15 -11:45: Keynote Speaker: John Kelly, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Internet Predators & Child Pornography: Keeping Our Kids Safe In This Ever Changing Cyber World Description: This presentation will give attendees updated information about current trends regarding Cyberbullying, Human Trafficking and resources offered by The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). It will also discuss the risks of being online and how to keep children safe. Information will be provided about victim characteristics, risky online behaviors, and predator grooming techniques. Objectives:  Identify the signs of illegal activity versus policy violations when talking about the internet.  Recognize how and when to report information to the CyberTipline.  Summarize victim characteristics, risky online behaviors, and predator grooming techniques.  List the behavioral characteristics of Internet sexual predators, their grooming techniques and recognize how to respond appropriately. 11:45-am-12:45pm 12:50-2:20pm: Lunch Break Out Workshops Please choose one A. Protective Services and the Multidisciplinary Team Response: A Guide for Mandated Reporters Roann Vecchia, Investigator & Forensic Interview, Massachusetts Department of Children & Families / Kristen Westerman, SAIN Team Coordinator, Berkshire District Attorney’s Office Description: Prompt and proper intervention when there is a suspicion of child abuse often times relies on the information provided by the professionals working with children. This workshop will provide an overview of the role and responsibilities of a mandated reporter and identify tips for effective communication when gathering the minimal facts needed to file. In addition, we will discuss the role of a multidisciplinary team in child abuse investigations and identify how these professionals work together to intervene, investigate and treat children who are victims of abuse. Objectives:    Recognize the role and responsibilities of a mandated reporter in the response of suspected child abuse. Describe tips for effective communication with children when gathering the minimal facts required to file. Identify the various roles of a multidisciplinary team that works together in the "best interest of the child". B. Stress Reduction for the Family: Managing the Load While Caring for a Child with Developmental Disabilities Todd Castine, M.S., BCBA, Hillcrest Educational Centers Description: This presentation will describe an overview of the difficulties associated with raising a child having developmental disabilities and the stress that can occur within a family unit. Associated risk factors, and the strategies used to problem solve and seek assistance for the family will be provided along with different stress reduction strategies that can be incorporated into daily life for care providers and siblings. Objectives:   Recognize and summarize the difficulties that increase for stress when families are caring for a child with developmental disabilities. Describe different strategies to seek assistance for managing difficult behavior, stress, and the work load associated with caring for a child with a disability. C. Trauma Informed Practices in Our Community, Barbara Cece, LICSW, Massachusetts Department of Children and Families Description: This program will explore trauma informed practices. A discussion will take part with participants on the strategies agencies in the area may use to address the unique needs of traumatized children and families. Objectives:  Define trauma informed practices.  Describe the trauma informed services and practices available in the community.  Identify several methods for providing a trauma informed response to children and families. 2:20-2:35pm: BREAK 2:35-pm– 4:20pm: Talking Back to Caregiver Stress: How to Increase Our Resilience In the Face of Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Trauma Mark Kenyon, LMFT Description: This program will present the symptoms and dynamics of Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Trauma, and their impact on Behavioral Health Care Professionals. We will present the dynamics of Resilience-Building and the importance of building self-care skills and strategies to enhance resilience and overcome emotional distress we face in our profession. Objectives:  Recognize the symptoms of Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Trauma.  Identify three features of the Resilient Mindset.  Describe the steps that can be taken to improve self-care and minimize risk of developing compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. 4:20-4:30 pm: Closing Remarks Barbara Cece, LICSW, Massachusetts Department of Children & Families  Recognize the prevalence of abuse in Berkshire County and the response of the Department of Children and Families to address this issue. 4:30pm: Complete Conference Evaluations, Sign Out and Submit Registration Form for CE Credit Request Program Faculty Christa Collier: Christa Collier has been the Director of Berkshire County Kids’ Place since 2011. She has a Masters Degree in Communications and Information Management from Bay Path College and is a Licensed Social Worker with the State of Massachusetts. Prior to her leadership at Kids’ Place Ms. Collier worked in a community based organization in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center in various management positions for 14 years. Rachael Eramo: Rachael Eramo has been employed by the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney for more than eleven years. In that capacity, she has prosecuted a wide variety of cases in District, Juvenile, and Superior Court, including drug possession and distribution, robbery, domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse and neglect. For the past six years, she has been a member of a team in the District Attorney’s Office assigned to investigate and prosecute cases involving the physical and sexual abuse and exploitation of elderly victims as well as victims with mental and physical disabilities. In September 2010, she was assigned as Chief of the Child Abuse Unit, which is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of reported cases of physical and sexual abuse of children in Berkshire County. Mrs. Eramo is a graduate of Smith College in Nothampton and Western New England College School of Law in Springfield. Elizabeth Bouchard: Beth Bouchard is the Support to End Exploitation Now (SEEN) Coalition Case Coordinator at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County in Boston, MA. Beth earned her BA from Boston College, studying history and international studies, focusing on social movements and feminism. With a professional background in advocacy and victim services, Beth has experience with survivors of sexual abuse, domestic violence, and human trafficking, as well as undocumented and refugee populations. Her previous professional roles have included Sexual Assault Crisis Prevention/Intervention Specialist at the YWCA of Silicon Valley, Emergency Guest Advocate at DOVE, Inc., and Caseworker at the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program of Lutheran Social Services. As SEEN’s Case Coordinator, Beth has coordinated a Multidisciplinary Response for over 275 at-risk and commercially sexually exploited children. Working daily with the Boston Police Department Human Trafficking Unit, the Office of the Suffolk County District Attorney, victim service providers, the MA Department of Children and Families, court and juvenile justice providers, and community partners, Beth facilitates vital communication, navigates state and local systems, provides local outreach, and ensures that each child referred receives a coordinated response. John Kelly: John Kelly is an Education Specialist with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children since 2011 and travels throughout the Northeast US providing FREE presentations to schools and communities. John started his career as a police officer in Saratoga Springs in 1989 and became a DARE officer in 2000. He was a member of the NYS DCJS Training team which trains DARE Officers throughout the northeast US. John went on to become an investigator and during the last five years of his career was assigned to the Saratoga Springs High School as a SRO. In addition to working for NCMEC, John works part time at the Hariett M. West, Child Advocacy Center in Saratoga County serving as the Law Enforcement Coord. He is FIBP trained and responsible for coordinating forensic interviews for CPS and Law Enforcement officials in Saratoga County. RoAnn Vecchia: Currently employed by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, RoAnn has spent the past 24 years as child protective investigator in the Pittsfield Area Office. She has completed the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) Forensic Interviewing Clinic as well as the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) Advanced Interviewing training in Huntsville, AL. Aside from conducting the interviews for the Department of Children and Families’ caretaker cases, she provides courtesy interviews for the local police departments and the District Attorney’s office on the non-caretaker cases. RoAnn also organizes and participates in regular state-wide forensic interviewer meetings for the purposes of peer review, training and support. RoAnn has been involved in the development and presentation of local and statewide trainings on Child Abuse and Neglect, Mandated Reporting and the Benefits of the Multidisciplinary Team Response to Child Abuse. RoAnn also presents at various trainings for the Massachusetts Child Welfare Institute on such topics as Interviewing and Screening Children for Sexual Abuse as well as the Department’s Mandatory Hotline and Investigating training. Most recently RoAnn has been asked to participate in the National Children's Alliance Accreditation Task Force that will be revising the Multidisciplinary Team, Case Review and Forensic Interview Standards for Children Advocacy Centers. Kristen Westerman Kristen Westerman has been employed by the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office as the coordinator for the Sexual Assault Intervention Network (SAIN) Team for the past nine years. Beyond her role of SAIN Coordinator, Ms. Westerman has been involved in the development and presentation of local trainings on Child Abuse and Neglect, Mandated Reporting and the Benefits of the Multidisciplinary Team Response to Child Abuse. Before her time in the Berkshires, she was a Senior Prevention Specialist at the Child Abuse Prevention Program in New York City. At CAPP, she provided Child Safety Workshops to over 10,000 children a year utilizing life sized puppets to teach third and fourth grade students how to recognize, resist and report child sexual and physical abuse. She is a graduate of the Bachelor’s program for Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Todd Castine: Todd Castine is a native of the Northern New York with over 25 years of experience working with children and adults having a variety of handicapping conditions. Todd is the Director of Autism Services for Hillcrest Educational Centers and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. He has extensive experiences working in environments specializing in the assessment and treatment of individuals diagnosed on the autism spectrum and or individuals having intense learning and behavioral difficulties. Mr. Castine also has a background in special education, supervising and or training graduate students in Master's Level training programs in special education and school psychology. He speaks at regional and national conferences covering a variety of topics including the assessment and treatment of severe self-injury, staff motivation and engagement, characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorders, specialized teaching procedures for the developmentally disabled and difficulties associated with a variety of other special populations. Barbara Cece: Barbara Cece is an Area Program Manager at the Department of Children and Families in the Pittsfield Area Office. She has a private practice in psychotherapy in Williamstown and was a clinician and manager at the Northern Berkshire Mental Health Association (now The Brien Center) from 1973-1993 and Behavioral Health Team Leader for the Community Health Plan from 1993-2000. She has an MSW from Simmons College and is an LICSW. Mark Kenyon Mark currently works for Berkshire HealthWorks, the Employee Assistance Program of Berkshire Health Systems, and also works as a Behavioral Health Coach in the Berkshire Wellness Program at BHS. He is licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist and as an Alcohol & Drug Counselor, and also has earned a Certified Employee Assistance Professional status. Mark is also qualified as a Substance Abuse Professional under the US Department of Transportation. He earned his master’s degree in Counseling and Psychological Services from Springfield College in 1980 and CAGS there in 1981, with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. He has been a mental health professional for over 30 years. Accreditation/Approval Information: Application has been made to Family Development Associates for certification of contact hours for licensed marriage and family therapists. This program meets the requirements for nursing contact hours as specified by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing-244 CMR 5.04. Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted. Application has been made for EMT continuing education credits and has been submitted to the Office of Emergency Medical Services. This program meets the requirements for contact hours for dental hygienists and dental assistants as specified by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistey-234 CMR 5.00. Berkshire AHEC is an Approved Education Provider of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) to provide contact hours for certified alcohol and drug counselors. Berkshire AHEC is an NBCC –Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP). Berkshire AHEC may award NBCC-approved clock hours for programs that meet NBCC requirements. The ACEP maintains responsibility for the content of the event. Certificates & Completion Requirements: To receive verification of successful completion of the credit hours and contact hours, participants are expected to sign-in and out, attend the entire program, and complete an evaluation. Certificates will be mailed to participants after the conference. Participants will not receive a certificate of completion until payment has been received. Participants are expected to attend 100% of the program. Social workers attending less than 80% will not receive any credit. Overnight Accommodations: A block of rooms have been reserved for April 30, 2014-May 1, 2014 at the Hampton Inn and Suites, Lenox, MA. The special room rate of $119 will be available until April 15th or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. Call them at 413-499-1111 and ask for the Kids’ Place group block.