The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) recently hosted statewide Forensic Interviewer training at the Campus of Healing for fifteen Child Protection Team Case Coordinators and law enforcement officers from across Florida.
Forensic interviews are child-friendly, non-leading, and legally sound conversations with alleged victims of child abuse. They are critical in determining whether abuse has occurred. Having Child Protection Team Case Coordinators trained in forensic interviewing alleviates the need for children to be interviewed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or at local police stations after an abuse report is made to the FL Abuse Hotline. Streamlining this process through specialized Child Protection Teams reduces the stress and trauma of disclosures. Case Coordinators establish trust, ensure children are comfortable, and gather disclosure details in a safe environment. Each interview is recorded and submitted as evidence.
Professionals from Sarasota, Polk, Brevard, Collier, Escambia, Orlando, Pasco, and Palm Beach completed the specialized 40-hour training, which included instruction and scenario sessions. Assistant State Attorney Ethan Dunn, among the speakers, was recognized by the Department of Health with a Challenge Coin for his work in protecting children.
“We are excited to showcase our North Port Campus of Healing as a training hub,” said Douglas Staley, Executive Director of CPC. “This training is critical to the work of Child Protection Teams and law enforcement statewide. Hosting this reinforces local expertise and creates better consistency statewide. We look forward to educating and training professionals with a focus on the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse.” Learn more at cpcsarasota.org.