Embark on a transformative learning journey with our 24.15-hour Child Abuse Advocacy Course, pre-approved for accreditation by the National Children's Alliance (NCA).

This intensive program is tailored for professionals committed to advocating for the welfare of children who have experienced abuse. Our course is underpinned by trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches, ensuring that every interaction with a child is sensitive to their psychological and emotional needs, fostering resilience, and promoting healing. Participants will delve into the complexities of child abuse dynamics, exploring the myriad forms of maltreatment and their potential long-term impacts on children's development and well-being. The course strikes a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application, equipping advocates with the skills to effectively support and empower children and their caretakers through crisis situations and beyond.

This course aims to provide insights into how trauma can affect a child's life and guide participants in developing compassionate and effective strategies for advocacy. By emphasizing a healing-centered framework, we ensure that the course not only educates on the intricacies of the legal and social service systems but also focuses on the holistic recovery and empowerment of the child.

Throughout the course, participants will learn to navigate the multidisciplinary team approach championed by the NCA and will gain a deep understanding of the critical role of child advocacy centers. With a commitment to best practices and ongoing professional development, graduates of this course will emerge as informed and compassionate advocates ready to make a significant difference in the lives of children who have experienced abuse and to contribute to the creation of a more just and caring society.

Course Objectives:
-To create a strong emphasis on self-regulation and self-care
-To ground create an ethical frame around the practice of advocacy
-To create cultural humility through an intersectional lens
-To explore the psychophysiological impact of the body and brain
-To implement a trauma-informed and healing-centered practice
-To explore the dynamics of child abuse, domestic violence, family violence, exposure and poly-victimization
-To overview risk assessments, lethality indicators, harm reduction and safety planning
-To explore MDT (Multi-disciplinary Task Force) work
-To overview systems work (victims rights, court process, victims comp, protective orders, investigation/prosecutions)
-To explore the case management -To overview caregiver resilience building

NOTE: this is part one of two trainings: Part One will meet the accreditation requirements of the National Children's Alliance (24 hours) Part One & Two (together) will meet the accreditation requirements of the National Advocate Credentialing Program (total 40 hours). Waiting 6-8 weeks before enrolling in Part Two is encouraged to allow for integration of Part One into the live work of advocacy.