Episode 25 - Problematic Sexual Behavior: The CAC MDT Response
Release Date: 09/16/2021
Episode 48 – Fostering Trust: Collaborating with Tribal Nations in Child Advocacy
NRCAC Team Talk
EPISODE SUMMARY: Understanding the history and challenges faced by Tribal Nations is essential for building trust and fostering meaningful partnerships within the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) movement. In this episode, Deanna Chancellor shares insights from her experience, discussing the historical trauma Indigenous communities have faced, how it impacts engagement with service providers, and key considerations for CACs and multidisciplinary teams seeking to build trust and meaningful partnerships. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives and actionable steps for strengthening relationships...
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Episode 47 - MDT and SRO Partnerships
NRCAC Team Talk
EPISODE SUMMARY: School Resource Officers (SROs) play a vital role in Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) and multidisciplinary teams (MDTs). In this episode, we explore the importance of collaboration between SROs and CACs in the multidisciplinary response to child abuse cases, along with strategies for overcoming common challenges. Whether you're looking to strengthen an existing partnership or establish a new one, tune in for valuable insights and practical advice. Topics in this episode: Understanding the roles (4:13) Overlapping of roles (7:55) Building and maintaining the CAC and SRO...
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Episode 46 - Collaborative Conversations
NRCAC Team Talk
EPISODE SUMMARY: Effective communication and building trust are essential skills for child abuse professionals working towards a shared mission to protect children and support families. In this episode, Ken Homer discusses the concept of Collaborative Conversations, a four-step model designed to enhance communication, build trust, and foster meaningful teamwork. Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) staff and multidisciplinary team (MDT) partners can apply this practical approach to collaborate more effectively. Tune in for helpful tips to strengthen teamwork and achieve better outcomes for...
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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 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 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 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)...
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Episode 35 - Grooming
NRCAC Team Talk
EPISODE SUMMARY: 1 in 10 people have been victims of sexual assault. Over 80% of these victims know their attacker. In almost 100% of these cases, the attacker uses a method called "grooming". In this episode, filmmaker and survivor Gwen van de Pas joins Tony to discuss the documentary film titled Groomed. Gwen takes us through her journey of making the movie, what she discovered about the grooming process, and the impact grooming has on survivors. If you haven't already watched the movie Groomed, it can be found on the streaming service discovery+. GUEST: Gwen van de Pas is a...
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Cases of children ages 12 and younger with problematic sexual behavior (PSB) can present a myriad of challenges for multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs). After all, MDTs and CACs were historically designed to address maltreatment of children committed by adults, not by other children. When presented with child-initiated harm cases, child-serving agencies are often inadequately equipped to provide the integrated and comprehensive response that is required in these situations. (Sites, Jerri & Widefield, Jimmy. Children with Problematic Sexual Behavior: Recommendations for the Multidisciplinary Team and Children’s Advocacy Center Response (2020).
In this episode, I speak with the authors of the above referenced white paper, Jerri Sites and Jimmy Widdifield. Both have extensive experience working with CACs and MDTs and have conducted extensive research on the topic of PSB. During our conversation, Jerri and Jimmy share their insights and experience along with providing valuable tools for teams who are looking to enhance their response to PSB cases in their community.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
- Jerri Sites at Child Protection Concepts is an independent consultant with 28 years of experience working in the field of child abuse investigations within the CAC movement.
- Jimmy Widdifield is the Freestanding Multidisciplinary Teams (FSMDT) Programs Manager at the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth in Oklahoma City, OK
- White Paper: https://calio.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Children-with-Problematic-Sexual-Behavior-Recommendations-for-the-Multidisciplinary-Team-and-Childrens-Advocacy-Center-Response.pdf
- National Children’s Alliance
- National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth
- National Children’s Advocacy Center
- Southern Regional Children’s Advocacy Center
- Western Regional Children’s Advocacy Center
- Midwest Regional Children’s Advocacy Center
- Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center
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].
Disclaimer: This project was sponsored by NRCAC from Grant Award Number 2019-CI-FX-K005 and CFDA #16.758 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, OJJDP or NRCAC.