Season 2: Forensic Interviewer Growth Continuum

Episode 1: Building Strong Foundations: The importance of onboarding forensic interviewers

Forensic Interviewing has advanced drastically since its development in the 1980s and continues to evolve every day. We recognize that effective onboarding for forensic interviewers is more than just a checklist - it's a transformative process that shapes the trajectory of forensic interviewers' careers. In this episode, we explore the impact of having a comprehensive and thoughtful onboarding process, so that organizations and professionals can establish a culture of excellence, nurturing the next generation of forensic interviewers.  

Episode Transcript

Show Notes:

In the first episode of Season 2 of The SRCAC Exchange, Christina Rouse, Program Manager for CAC Development at the Southern Regional Children’s Advocacy Center, is joined by experts Liz Ghilardi, Heather Stewart, and Julie Kenniston to discuss the criticality of proper onboarding for forensic interviewers. They stress the movement towards professionalism in the field and the necessity for a comprehensive onboarding process to prepare interviewers for their roles. Key onboarding components are highlighted, including observation, practice, immediate feedback, learning to code interviews, and initiating cases involving child disclosures. The experts also discuss potential repercussions of inadequate onboarding, emphasize mentorship and continual improvement, and underline the importance of a peer review system and individualized coaching. Despite the challenges of time, resources, and expertise required to create an effective onboarding program, they urge new interviewers to connect with others in the field for learning and support. Each expert shares their early-career insights and their advice for CAC leaders, emphasizing the need for new interviewers to be patient with themselves and trust the process. Hit the subscribe button now! 

Host: 

Christina Rouse, MSW 

Guests: 

Liz Ghilardi, MSW, LCSW 

Heather Stewart 

Julie Kenniston, MSW, LISW 

Project Manager: 

Lauren Tanner, MSEd 

 

Links: 

Connect to your Chapter: 

• Midwest Region 

• Northeast Region 

• Southern Region 

• Western Region 

Connect to your Region:  

• Regional Children’s Advocacy Centers 

Contact Host: 

• Christina Rouse 

Contact Guests: 

• Heather Stewart 

• Julie Kenniston, MSW, LISW 

• Liz Ghilardi, MSW, LCSW 

National Children’s Advocacy Center 

The SRCAC Exchange 

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