Episode 45 - Artificial Intelligence and CACs
NRCAC Team Talk
When you hear the words ‘Artificial Intelligence,’ what comes to mind? Fascinating? Scary? Necessary? Or maybe a mix of all three? In this episode, Abbie Newman and Leslie Slingsby from Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center discuss how CACs can use AI like ChatGPT to enhance their operations. Whether you are an active user or just looking to get started, join us as we explore the benefits, cautions, and practical tips for using AI at your CAC. Topics in this episode: Importance of AI (6:02) What is Artificial Intelligence? (8:02) Value and usage of AI at CACs (10:30) Prompt Engineering...
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Episode 44 - Self Care Psychology
NRCAC Team Talk
EPISODE SUMMARY: Sass Boucher and Kate Collier, co-founders of SelfCare Psychology Ltd, bring psychology, awareness, resources, and expertise to frontline workers in supportive roles. In this episode, they discuss the concept of Professional Trauma and Fatigue how CAC staff and MDT partners can use the Five Pillars of Protection to mitigate the effects of working in the child advocacy field. Join us as we explore these important topics, offering insights and practical advice to help you navigate stress and protect your mental health. Topics in this episode: SelfCare Psychology...
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Episode 43 - Intergenerational Trauma
NRCAC Team Talk
EPISODE SUMMARY: Research consistently supports the value of taking a trauma-informed approach to reduce re-traumatization, improve outcomes, and foster trust and collaboration between professionals, children, and families. In this episode, Kristina Coleman, LMSW, MPA, joins co-hosts Tony DeVincenzo and Ilana Lezama-Beausejour to discuss the intergenerational trauma approach and working with families of color. Throughout their conversation, Kristina shares insights into some of the life experiences of past generations and their impact on the present day. The discussion explores ways...
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Episode 42 – The MDT Response to Human Trafficking and CSEC
NRCAC Team Talk
EPISODE SUMMARY: With the increasing awareness and understanding of the complex problem of human trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), CACs and MDT partners have expanded their capacity to the needs of sexually exploited children and youth, including those at risk for exploitation. In this episode, Melissa Kaiser, a licensed social worker specializing in anti-human trafficking work, joins host Tony DeVincenzo to discuss the MDT response to human trafficking cases. Throughout their conversation, Melissa discusses the value of the CAC model and MDT response, the...
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Episode 41 - Preparing for the Unexpected: The Importance of Succession Planning
NRCAC Team Talk
EPISODE SUMMARY: “Better to be ready than get ready.” We delve deeper into the important topic of succession planning. In this episode, Tony speaks with Christopher St. Cyr who serves as the Executive Director at the Caledonia Children’s Advocacy Center. Chris discusses the importance of being intentional when it comes to succession planning. He guides us through a real-life experience of preparing for change and transition, including an unexpected twist the CAC faced along the way, and the value of being flexible. GUEST: Christopher St. Cyr is the Executive Director with the Caledonia...
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Episode 40 - Succession Planning
NRCAC Team Talk
EPISODE SUMMARY: When you hear succession planning, what comes to mind? Many people will think of a written document that outlines procedures for when there is a transition in leadership. Having a plan for change and transition is critical to the CAC’s stability and continuity of services for children and families. In this episode, Tony speaks with Southern Regional Children’s Advocacy Center Director Emily Chittenden-Laird who has a broader perspective on succession planning. She shares with us the importance of organizational planning and real-life experiences. GUEST: Emily...
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Episode 39 - The Global Issue of Child Abuse and its Impact on the Work of CACs
NRCAC Team Talk
EPISODE SUMMARY: As professionals in the child abuse field, we all know that child sexual abuse has no boundaries. In the United States, CACs and MDTs are doing amazing and innovative work to provide a collaborative response to promote healing for children and families. But have you ever thought about the issue of child sexual abuse globally and how it affects middle and low-income countries? In this episode, Abbie Newman, RN, JD with Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center joins Tony to talk about the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN). She shares a...
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Episode 38 - Affiliate Response to Stress and Burnout
NRCAC Team Talk
EPISODE SUMMARY: “The ultimate solution to burnout is not self-care. It’s caring for others and others caring for you.” There’s no denying that self-care is important. Eating healthy, exercising, and taking vacation days can reduce stress on the body. But it’s human connection and the relationships you have with others that make the difference. In this month’s episode, Tony speaks with Dr. Heather Forkey and Dr. Jessica Griffin with UMass Chan Medical School about a different approach to address secondary traumatic stress and burnout. During their conversation, they share with us...
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Episode 37 - Racial Healing Response Team
NRCAC Team Talk
EPISODE SUMMARY: Child Advocacy Centers and Multidisciplinary teams are not immune from the race, power, and privilege that shapes the way we each experience the world. At Safe Horizon, the organization that operates the five CACs throughout New York City, the Racial Healing Response Team (RHRT) program has been implemented to address the racial harm that staff members may experience in the workplace. With the goal of offering staff support and healing, the RHRT responds in a variety of ways that center on respect, relationships, and community care. In this episode, Tony speaks with Dr....
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Episode 36 - Organizational Culture
NRCAC Team Talk
EPISODE SUMMARY: What is organizational culture? Why should you focus on organizational culture? What is the value of investing in organizational culture? How does it relate to Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs)? In this episode, Tony speaks with Gene Klein, LCSW and Caren Dean with Project Harmony. During their conversation, they share how they navigated through periods of growth and change at Project Harmony. As a result, this led the CAC to focus on creating a positive organizational culture. Topics in this episode Project Harmony (3:29) Culture (5:08) Intentional Focus on Culture (7:28)...
info_outlineConversations about cultural competency and implicit bias are difficult to have, but are crucial to effectively working on cases and within the MDT. Rashida Cartwright-Thigpen and Dr. Beth Reiman, Co-Chairs of the Cultural Competency Workgroup at the Children's Advocacy Center at Westchester Institute for Human Development, join us this month to talk about their work in establishing a committed, focused, and ongoing conversation about culture and bias in their CAC.
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Rashida Cartwright-Thigpen is an Assistant County Attorney in Westchester County, NY, and has been a practicing attorney for over 18 years. Beth Reiman, PhD, LCSW-R, is the Coordinator of Forensic and Clinical Services at the Children's Advocacy Center at Westchester Institute for Human Development, as well as an Assistant Professor at New York Medical College and an Adjunct Professor at City University of New York.
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Visit the NRCAC Website for resources, training opportunities, and more!
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Have an idea for a future Team Talk guest or topic? We want to hear from you! Email your suggestions to Tony DeVincenzo at [email protected].
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This project was sponsored by NRCAC from Grant Award Number 2016-CI-FX-K003 and CFDA #16.758 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Department of Justice.