NRCAC Team Talk

EPISODE SUMMARY:

Transitions are such an important part of life, and one of the most challenging transitions is going from peer to supervisor. In this episode, Cara Vock, Program Manager and Chapter Development at Southern Regional Children's Advocacy Center, and Christina Rouse, Program Manager for CAC Development at Southern Regional Children's Advocacy Center, explore the complexities of this shift, sharing practical strategies and personal experiences to help you navigate this career shift. From redefining relationships to establishing boundaries and building leadership skills, they offer valuable insights for anyone stepping into a supervisory role. Tune in for tips on leading effectively while maintaining trust and respect with your team.

Topics in this episode:

• Importance of Transitions (3:17)
• Skill Building as a New Supervisor (8:15)
  • Competence
  • Confidence
  • Impact
• Emotional Impact (18:50)
• Maintaining Relationships (28:35)
• Soft Skills for New Leaders (39:30)
• Support and Mentorship (49:50)
• Resources (1:00:03)

GUESTS:

Christina Rouse is the Program Manager for CAC Development at Southern Regional CAC. Christina is an experienced forensic interviewer, program developer, and leader. Driven by service to others and eagerness to raise the bar, she takes pride in troubleshooting solutions that elevate people and programs. During her time as a forensic interviewer, she interviewed over 2,500 children, helped coordinate and facilitate 11 MDT jurisdictions, and oversaw the daily operations of the three CAC office locations in the program. Christina's passion for collaboration and cognitive flexibility enables her to be the ultimate team player by elevating people and programs beyond their current operative levels. Outside of the CAC movement, she is the ultimate board game player, whether at a convention, on her podcast, or at home with her husband and daughter.

Cara Vock is the Program Manager for Chapter Development at Southern Regional CAC. Cara is an experienced leader, advocate, and facilitator. Driven by a love for connection and innovation, Cara helps to grow, strengthen, and enhance Chapter programs across the South. During her time at CACs of Illinois, Cara implemented numerous state-wide systems to improve services to its members and their clients through data collection and analysis. She shifted efforts across the state to focus on various topics in a collaborative and cohort-style, continuous professional development framework. In July of 2023, Cara expanded her work from supporting one State Chapter to supporting 16, bringing a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our SRCAC team. With a deep commitment to making a difference and building connections, Cara provides crucial support to programs across the Region. When Cara is not being caught reading and referencing "Upstream" by Dan Heath, she can be caught kayaking downstream across Illinois.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

• Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell: https://a.co/d/7pqZPAG
• Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes by William Bridges and Susan Bridges: https://a.co/d/ge0TF3N
• Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts by Brene Brown: https://a.co/d/c9r2S3c
• Radical Candor: https://www.radicalcandor.com
• Working Genius: https://www.workinggenius.com
• Southern Regional Children's Advocacy Center: https://www.srcac.org
• Northeast Regional Children's Advocacy Center: https://www.nrcac.org
• Regional Children's Advocacy Centers: https://www.regionalcacs.org

Looking for training and technical assistance for your Chapter, Children's Advocacy Center, or multidisciplinary team? Northeast Regional CAC provides training and assistance services to help you implement an effective, sustainable, collaborative response to child abuse. Visit NRCAC.org/request to learn more and request assistance today!

Have an idea for a future Team Talk guest or topic? We want to hear from you! Click here to share your suggestions.

Disclaimer: This project was sponsored by NRCAC from Grant Award Number 15PJDP-22-GK-03061-JJVO 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.

EPISODE SUMMARY:

In this episode of NRCAC Team Talk, we spotlight the New Jersey Children's Alliance's groundbreaking, statewide approach to addressing problematic sexual behavior (PSB) in youth. Join guests Nydia Monagas, Maria Isabel Poontoriero (MIP), and Valeria Vila from NJCA as they discuss the development of this innovative program, its foundational framework, and key insights from its first year of implementation.

Whether you're a child advocacy professional, part of a multidisciplinary team, or a Chapter leader seeking to strengthen your community's response to PSB, this episode offers valuable takeaways and inspiration.

Tune in now and discover how your community can take steps toward a more coordinated and effective PSB response.

Topics in this episode:

• What prompted the creation of a statewide PSB response (4:24)
• Formation of the workgroup (9:47)
• Program framework (12:22)
  • Referrals
  • Training
  • Funding
• Quality assurance and data collection
• Challenges (19:31)
• How a case flows through the program (26:53)
• Feedback (30:58)
• What's next (36:13)
• Advice for other states (40:06)

GUESTS:

Nydia Y. Monagas, Psy.D., is the Director of Training and Statewide Initiatives with the New Jersey Children's Alliance (NJCA), a statewide non-profit whose mission is to promote and support communities in providing a coordinated investigation and comprehensive response to victims of child abuse, neglect and family violence. Dr. Monagas serves as co-chair of the Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) Statewide Response Workgroup, which established a statewide strategy to respond to cases involving PSB. Dr. Monagas is also an Associate Teaching Professor in the McCormick Center for Child Advocacy and Policy at Montclair State University, where she supervises the practicum experience for undergraduate Child Advocacy and Policy majors and teaches courses on child abuse and neglect, child advocacy, and other related topics. She is also the Director the Family Impact Seminars in New Jersey which provides state policymakers with nonpartisan, solution-oriented research on family issues. Dr. Monagas serves on several statewide Boards, including the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect and the Child Advocacy Center-Multidisciplinary Team Advisory Board. Dr. Monagas previously conducted psychological evaluations and treatment for children and families involved with Child Protective Services. She completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. She also has a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and a Post-Bachelor's Certificate in Child Advocacy from Montclair State University.

Maria Isabella Pontoriero ("MIP"), LMSW, MPH, is a licensed social worker and forensic interviewer. MIP is Program Manager at the New Jersey Children's Alliance, managing New Jersey's statewide coordinated response to youth who are impacted by and/or initiate problematic sexual behaviors. MIP is also Founder and Consultant for Enhanced Choice Training & Consulting LLC, which provides specialized training, program development, and case consultation services to individuals and agencies who serve victims of crime and exploitation. In addition, MIP provides training and peer review feedback as a consultant on an as-needed basis for Modell Consulting Group and RADAR Child Forensic Interview Models. She previously served as Lead Social Worker for the New Orleans Children's Advocacy Center & Audrey Hepburn CARE Center at Children's Hospital New Orleans. There, she supervised the full-time and contract forensic interviewing staff and coordinated a child trafficking survivor services team called BRAVE (Building Resilience for All Victims of Exploitation). In partnership with the New Orleans Police Department, MIP developed Louisiana's first proactive recovery planning team that provided rapid recovery and advocacy response to missing and exploited youth who have left home. MIP develops and delivers in-service and New Recruits child abuse curricula for the New Orleans Police Department Training Academy. In her spare time, MIP loves to bake, read, and celebrate Mardi Gras!

Valeria Vila, Ph.D., is passionate about leveraging data to inform evidence-based practices that promote community safety, reduce harm, and expand access to critical services for vulnerable populations. At the New Jersey Children's Alliance, she leads data efforts for the Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) Program, analyzing trends and shaping policy recommendations to strengthen services and support healing.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

• New Jersey Children's Alliance: https://njcainc.org
• Social Media Platforms
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/njcainc
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/njcainc/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-jersey-childrens-alliance/
• Northeast Regional Children's Advocacy Center: https://www.nrcac.org
• Regional Children's Advocacy Centers: https://www.regionalcacs.org

Looking for training and technical assistance for your Chapter, Children's Advocacy Center, or multidisciplinary team? Northeast Regional CAC provides training and assistance services to help you implement an effective, sustainable, collaborative response to child abuse. Visit NRCAC.org/request to learn more and request assistance today!

Have an idea for a future Team Talk guest or topic? We want to hear from you! Click here to share your suggestions.

Disclaimer: This project was sponsored by NRCAC from Grant Award Number 15PJDP-22-GK-03061-JJVO 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.

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 with Tribal Nations.

GUEST:

Deanna Chancellor is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and serves as the Project Director for the Native Child Advocacy Resource Center. Prior to this she served as a Children's Advocacy Center Director for eighteen years in rural Southeastern Oklahoma. Deanna has extensive experience in the establishment and management of CAC and the coordination of the MDT. She provides training and technical assistance to Native Nations and Non-Tribal partners on issues related to the field of child maltreatment.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

• Connect with Deanna Chancellor, [email protected]
• Native Child Advocacy Resource Center: https://www.nativecac.org
• National Native Children's Trauma Center: https://www.facebook.com/NNCTC
• Northeast Regional Children's Advocacy Center: https://www.nrcac.org
• Regional Children's Advocacy Centers: https://www.regionalcacs.org

Looking for training and technical assistance for your Chapter, Children's Advocacy Center, or multidisciplinary team? Northeast Regional CAC provides training and assistance services to help you implement an effective, sustainable, collaborative response to child abuse. Visit NRCAC.org/request to learn more and request assistance today!

Have an idea for a future Team Talk guest or topic? We want to hear from you! Click here to share your suggestions.

Disclaimer: This project was sponsored by NRCAC from Grant Award Number 15PJDP-22-GK-03061-JJVO 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.

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 partnership (11:41)
  • Role of the school district
  • Barriers and challenges
  • Shared understanding
• Value of SROs as MDT partners (24:11)
• SRO training (28:03)
• Advice for CAC/MDT interested in forming a relationship with SROs (32:53)

GUESTS:

Amy- Lynn Sullivan, Program Coordinator/Forensic Interviewer at Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County-North

Detective Kyler Stevenson, Manchester New Hampshire Police Department

Jennifer Shumway, CSEC Coordinator at Cumberland County Children's Advocacy Center

Officer Timothy Dalton, Scarborough Police Department

Lauren Dembski-Martin, Social Services Manager at Scarborough Police Department

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

• Cumberland County Children's Advocacy Center: https://cumberlandcountycac.org
• KNOW & TELL: https://knowandtell.org
• Child Abuse: The KNOW & Tell Program (NCJTC): https://ncjtc.fvtc.edu/trainings/TR00008379/TRI2406800/child-abuse-the-know-tell-program
• Northeast Regional Children's Advocacy Center: https://www.nrcac.org
• Regional Children's Advocacy Centers: https://www.regionalcacs.org

Have an idea for a future Team Talk guest or topic? We want to hear from you! Click here to share your suggestions.

Disclaimer: This project was sponsored by NRCAC from Grant Award Number 15PJDP-22-GK-03061-JJVO 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.

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 children and families.

Topics in this episode:

• Collective Intelligence (4:26)
• Collaborative Conversations Wheel (7:25)
  • Shared Meaning (9:00)
  • Exploring Possibilities (19:38)
  • Coordinating Actions (26:08)
  • Learning and Reflecting (36:47)
• Communication Tips (44:02)
• Navigating Conflict (46:18)

GUEST:

Ken Homer, PCC

Trained as an Integral Coach with a background that includes a decade on the core team that developed the World Café dialogue process, Ken works at the intersection of individual, team, and organizational learning to open up new vistas of thinking while finding practical steps for effective action.

Grounded, insightful, practical, and comprehensive, are a few of the adjectives that Ken's clients have used to describe him. He listens deeply to gain an understanding and checks to see if he is making accurate assessments before attempting to provide any guidance. Ken looks for simple modest steps that can be sustained over time to provide optimal returns.

Ken believes that collaboration is an art form based on learnable skills. "How can we be smarter together and work in ways where we are all enriched or even ennobled by our efforts?" is the question at the heart of Ken's work. He works with both individuals and teams to identify where they are not getting the results they desire and then helps them to develop the competencies required to achieve their aims.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

• Appreciative Inquiry: A Positive Revolution in Change by David L. Cooperride. And Diana Whitney, 2005: https://a.co/d/38PzqTi
• Collaborative Conversations: https://www.kenhomer.net
• Northeast Regional Children's Advocacy Center: https://www.nrcac.org
• Regional Children's Advocacy Centers: https://www.regionalcacs.org

Have an idea for a future Team Talk guest or topic? We want to hear from you! Click here to share your suggestions.

Disclaimer: This project was sponsored by NRCAC from Grant Award Number 15PJDP-22-GK-03061-JJVO 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.

“The development of AI is as fundamental as the creation of the microprocessor, the personal computer, the Internet, and the mobile phone. It will change the way people work, learn, travel, get health care, and communicate with each other. Entire industries will reorient around it. Businesses will distinguish themselves by how well they use it.” – Bill Gates

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 (17:01)
• Cautions (20:55)
• Good and evil uses of AI (30:52)
• Where are we going (32:52)
• Scenario of using AI (34:40)
• AI Policy (36:40)
• Final thoughts (40:03)

GUESTS

Abbie R. Newman, R.N., J.D., is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of External and Global Affairs at Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center. Abbie began her professional career as a registered nurse specializing in pediatrics before returning to law school and obtaining her degree from Fordham University School of Law. She practiced law in Philadelphia and became a shareholder at Post & Schell, P.C., specializing in medical malpractice defense of medical professionals for almost 20 years.

Abbie began her work with Mission Kids as the founding Executive Director in 2008. As Executive Director, she built the collaborative Multidisciplinary Team into a nationally Accredited CAC which has served nearly 7,000 abused children and their families. As CEO of External and Global Affairs, she brings the leadership of Mission Kids statewide, nationally, and internationally to help victims of child abuse. Some of her work includes spearheading original research projects to inform best practices, and developing collaborative response policies to victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Abbie is the past-President of PennCAC (the Pennsylvania Chapter of CACs), and the current and founding Chair of the External Affairs Committee of PennCAC. Abbie has received bi-partisan gubernatorial appointments to several statewide committees, including the CAC Advisory Committee, charged with establishing and sustaining CACs across Pennsylvania. Ms. Newman works with state and national legislators to strengthen child protection laws, increase funding to agencies serving victims of child abuse and neglect, and to develop and sustain child advocacy centers as a model for child abuse investigation and prevention. She has been elected to the Distinguished Advisory Committee of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, where she works on developing collaborative responses to global issues of child abuse.

Leslie Slingsby, MSW, LSW is the Chief Executive Officer of Services and Operations at Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center.  Leslie has a Masters of Social Work with a concentration in non-profit management and social policy from the University of Michigan. Previously, she was the first Continuous Quality Improvement Manager for Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services Agency. Prior to her experience in public child welfare, she was the founding Director of the Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center. In addition, Leslie has over a decade of experience in victim services overseeing mental health services, legal and medical advocacy, hotline and cyber services. She has been responsible for implementing and monitoring several state and federal grant projects and assisted with the coordination of several local program initiatives involving partnership including Child Death Review Team, Sexual Assault Response Team, the Crimes against Older Adults Task Force and the Domestic Abuse Fatality Review Team.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

• UNICEF Policy Guidance on AI for Children: https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/reports/policy-guidance-ai-children#:~:text=The%20policy%20guidance%20explores%20AI,inclusion%20of%20and%20for%20children
• What is Prompt Engineering?: https://www.datacamp.com/blog/what-is-prompt-engineering-the-future-of-ai-communication
• ChatGPT Replicates Gender Bias in Recommendation Letters: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chatgpt-replicates-gender-bias-in-recommendation-letters/
• Looka – free logo maker: https://looka.com/onboarding?company_name=Mission%20Kids
• Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center: https://missionkidscac.org
• Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center: https://www.nrcac.org
• Regional Children’s Advocacy Centers: https://www.regionalcacs.org

Have an idea for a future Team Talk guest or topic? We want to hear from you! Click here to share your suggestions.

Disclaimer: This project was sponsored by NRCAC from Grant Award Number 15PJDP-22-GK-03061-JJVO 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.

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 and 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 (3:17)
• Professional Trauma and Fatigue (5:01)
  • Stress
  • Compassion Fatigue
  • Burnout
  • Vicarious Trauma
• Everyday Stress (12:04)
• Resilience (17:50)
• Five Pillars of Protection (23:07)
  • Awareness
  • Supervision
  • Peer Support
  • Trauma Informed
  • Self Care

GUESTS:

Sass Boucher MSc MBACP, counsellor psychotherapist, lecturer and co-founder of SelfCare Psychology, SelfCare Psychology

Sass is a practicing Counsellor and Psychotherapist, working with a wide range of private clients and referrals from health, social care and education settings.

Her MSc research 'Looking Through a Lens of Terribleness' explored and aimed to understand professionals' needs when working with, and listening to, those affected by trauma, this work led to the formation of SelfCare PsycholoWe'll gy Ltd.

Sass is also a lecturer and practice tutor on the MSc Counselling Psychotherapy course at Keele University. She previously trained as a social work practice educator and worked in specialist domestic abuse services in a variety of roles, frontline support and service management and as a local authority domestic abuse partnership co-ordinator.

Kate Collier, head of learning and development, Black Country Women's Aid and co-founder of SelfCare Psychology

Kate Collier is practice and development director and co-founder of SelfCare Psychology.

She develops new training and tools and has taken SelfCare Psychology's training online with the development of interactive live workshops and e-learning.

She has a special interest in early intervention in wellbeing through education for social care and health professionals born out of her personal struggle with professional trauma and fatigue.

Her experience spans training as a social worker and independent domestic violence adviser and designing, delivering and managing services for women facing multiple disadvantages.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

• Professional Quality of Life (proQOL): https://proqol.org
• SelfCare Psychology Ltd: https://www.selfcarepsychology.com
• Northeast Regional Children's Advocacy Center: https://www.nrcac.org
• Regional Children's Advocacy Centers: https://www.regionalcacs.org

Have an idea for a future Team Talk guest or topic? We want to hear from you! Click here to share your suggestions.

Disclaimer: This project was sponsored by NRCAC from Grant Award Number 15PJDP-22-GK-03061-JJVO 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.

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 professionals can shift their mindset and practices to better serve and support families of color.

Topics in this episode:

• Definitions (4:04)
• Intergenerational trauma approach (9:02)
• Working with families of color (11:33)
• Life experiences and Intergenerational Trauma (17:00)
• Understanding history (20:30)
• Enhance professional skills (28:37)
• Recommendations (37:48)
• Organization support for workers of color (39:35)

GUEST:

Kristina Coleman LMSW, MPA, is the Vice President of Child Advocacy and Mental Health Programs at Safe Horizon the nation’s largest victim service agency, and the Founder/CEO of youRmore counseling & services. She has served in the social services for over 14 years specializing in child welfare, family reunification, trauma treatment, mental health, program implementation, development, and non-profit leadership. Kristina holds a master’s degree in social work leadership from Hunter College and a Master of Public Administration from Mercy University. She has held multiple roles at both the direct service and leadership level. Kristina provides training and consulting around engagement and mental health practices for families of color and the impact intergenerational trauma. Through her teachings she aims to reform systems and create true diversity, equity, and inclusion. She believes if people want to see real change, they must first understand history. Kristina serves as a board member for the National Association of Social Workers NYC Chapter, The New York State Children Alliances, Center for Safety and Change, and the YMCA OF Rockland. 

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

• Spare the Kids: Why Whupping Children Won’t Save Black America by Stacey Patton: https://a.co/d/ajfCyNa
• Black Families in Therapy: Understanding the African American Experience by Nancy Boyd-Franklin: https://a.co/d/6oDQVZD
• My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem: https://a.co/d/aoKr01r
• Virtues and Values: The African and African American Experience by Peter J. Paris: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0800636619?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_JMZG1C5GGNV3M6Y1Y4G9 
• Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting by Terrie M. Williams: https://a.co/d/21aQAaj
• Connect with Kristina Coleman at [email protected]
• Safe Horizon: https://www.safehorizon.org
• Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center: https://www.nrcac.org
• Regional Children’s Advocacy Centers: https://www.regionalcacs.org

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 15PJDP-22-GK-03061-JJVO 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. 

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 importance of having a trauma-informed mindset, explores ways CACs and teams can enhance their response, and provides insights for building resiliency.

Topics in this episode:

• Human trafficking (3:35)
• CSEC (8:09)
• CAC/MDT response (9:57)
• The impact of the work (26:20)
• Advice and tips to enhance response (35:25)
• Building resiliency (38:32)
• Moral injury, moral distress, moral suffering (44:30)
• For more information (49:10)

GUEST:

Melissa Kaiser, LBSW is a licensed social worker specializing in anti-human trafficking work, secondary trauma, working with victims of trauma, and developing/maintaining multi-disciplinary teams. Melissa is a certified trainer in Green Dot, Compassion Fatigue, GEMS, Stand to Protect, My Life My Choice, and SHARP, and has additional training in Child Welfare and PRIDE/Safe Zone. She has seven years of experience providing national/international training and technical assistance, and case management to victims of human trafficking. Melissa has trained over 11,000 students and professionals, and currently sits on the Badges of Unity Board for Fargo PD. Melissa's past experience includes treatment foster care, prevention education, and psychiatric and addictions. She was the first Human Trafficking Navigator and Victim-Witness Specialist in ND, with seven years of program development. Melissa was a member of the North Dakota Human Trafficking Task Force, vice-chair of labor trafficking subcommittee, for six years. She developed a human trafficking program, toolkit, and protocol response for ND, per grant deliverables. Melissa also assisted in the development of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Victim/Witness Program. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

• Building Resiliency Together: https://buildingresiliency.org
• Building Resiliency Together | Strategies for Resiliency: https://buildingresiliency.org/strategies-for-resiliency/
• Melissa Kaiser, LBSW | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaisermel/
• Northeast Regional Children's Advocacy Center: https://www.nrcac.org
• Regional Children's Advocacy Centers: https://www.regionalcacs.org

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 15PJDP-22-GK-03061-JJVO 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.

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 Children's Advocacy Center located in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Chris is a retired police officer and worked in Whitefield and Lancaster, New Hampshire, and Essex County, Vermont. He recently retired as a Command Sergeant Major in the New Hampshire National Guard with over 40 years of service. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration and completed Executive Development Course at Justice System Training and Research Institute at RWU. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

• NRCAC Team Talk Episode #40 – Succession Planning with Southern Regional Children's Advocacy Center Director Emily Chittenden-Laird: https://nrcac.libsyn.com/episode-40-succession-planning
• Emergency Preparedness and Response Guide for CACs: Planning for the Unexpected: https://www.srcac.org/resources/
• Northeast Regional Children's Advocacy Center: https://www.nrcac.org
• Regional Children's Advocacy Centers: https://www.regionalcacs.org

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 15PJDP-22-GK-03061-JJVO 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.