This training introduces new MDT members to the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model and the collaborative approach used to respond to child abuse cases across Washington State. Participants will learn about the history of the CAC movement and how national, regional, and state networks work together to support CACs, children, and families. The session will also highlight the services provided by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Washington (CACWA), explain how the CAC model works, and explore the benefits of a coordinated response. Attendees will review key Washington State RCWs related to child abuse investigations and MDTs, become familiar with the core disciplines that make up the team, and learn about the case referral and review processes. The training will also discuss the elements of a successful MDT and emphasize awareness of secondary stress—helping participants build a strong foundation for effective, compassionate teamwork.

The purpose of peer review is to provide Child Interview Specialists and MDT Partners with an opportunity to review forensic interviews, discuss specific interview techniques, provide feedback regarding the quality of documentation, and review relevant research
Peer review is for Child Interview Specialists and MDT Partners who completed a 32-hour basic forensic interview training (CAIA or another nationally recognized training) and conduct forensic interviews as part of their work.
Peer review meetings are held quarterly and run from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM. Participants are expected to volunteer to present cases and interviewers will present recorded interviews of adjudicated or closed cases. Please review RCW 26.44.189 Child forensic interview peer reviews – Confidentiality agreements for the full statute text. All recorded interviews will be uploaded within Guardify, a secure digital evidence management platform. Contact Lisette at lisette@cacwa.org for information about Guardify or to be added as a user for peer review. Peer review is conducted via Zoom, a HIPAA-compliant web-conferencing platform.
Please note the date of Peer Review may change due to unforeseen calendar conflicts.
Choosing a case for review:
Choose a closed case.
Don't choose your best interview. Choose one that you would like feedback on how to do things differently or to receive suggestions on how to handle a certain age group, etc.
Review the case and be ready to give an overview of circumstances.
Prepare questions or highlight specifics for the group to address.
Washington Forensic Interview Peer Review Session Orientation Guide – This guide provides information about the peer review logistics, how to join a peer review session, the structure of peer review, and what to expect following peer review.

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.

This training introduces new MDT members to the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model and the collaborative approach used to respond to child abuse cases across Washington State. Participants will learn about the history of the CAC movement and how national, regional, and state networks work together to support CACs, children, and families. The session will also highlight the services provided by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Washington (CACWA), explain how the CAC model works, and explore the benefits of a coordinated response. Attendees will review key Washington State RCWs related to child abuse investigations and MDTs, become familiar with the core disciplines that make up the team, and learn about the case referral and review processes. The training will also discuss the elements of a successful MDT and emphasize awareness of secondary stress—helping participants build a strong foundation for effective, compassionate teamwork.

Victim Advocate Roundtable is open to victim advocates working with CACs and MDTs in Washington state including CAC-based, community-based, and systems-based advocates. This is a supportive space to network, share current practices in the field, and receive input on challenging cases from peers.
An agenda will be sent out before each roundtable session with an article or resource relevant to the field of victim advocacy. Come prepared to share a situation with the group that you want feedback on or share a positive experience with the group.
The Victim Advocate Roundtable has moved to quarterly sessions. Please select the dates you wish to attend – you can choose multiple dates.
Victim Advocate Roundtable sessions may change due to unforeseen calendar conflicts.

This training introduces new MDT members to the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model and the collaborative approach used to respond to child abuse cases across Washington State. Participants will learn about the history of the CAC movement and how national, regional, and state networks work together to support CACs, children, and families. The session will also highlight the services provided by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Washington (CACWA), explain how the CAC model works, and explore the benefits of a coordinated response. Attendees will review key Washington State RCWs related to child abuse investigations and MDTs, become familiar with the core disciplines that make up the team, and learn about the case referral and review processes. The training will also discuss the elements of a successful MDT and emphasize awareness of secondary stress—helping participants build a strong foundation for effective, compassionate teamwork.

Select the date that works for your schedule. This training is a single session.

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.

This training introduces new MDT members to the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model and the collaborative approach used to respond to child abuse cases across Washington State. Participants will learn about the history of the CAC movement and how national, regional, and state networks work together to support CACs, children, and families. The session will also highlight the services provided by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Washington (CACWA), explain how the CAC model works, and explore the benefits of a coordinated response. Attendees will review key Washington State RCWs related to child abuse investigations and MDTs, become familiar with the core disciplines that make up the team, and learn about the case referral and review processes. The training will also discuss the elements of a successful MDT and emphasize awareness of secondary stress—helping participants build a strong foundation for effective, compassionate teamwork.

Select the date that works for your schedule. This training is a single session.

The purpose of peer review is to provide Child Interview Specialists and MDT Partners with an opportunity to review forensic interviews, discuss specific interview techniques, provide feedback regarding the quality of documentation, and review relevant research
Peer review is for Child Interview Specialists and MDT Partners who completed a 32-hour basic forensic interview training (CAIA or another nationally recognized training) and conduct forensic interviews as part of their work.
Peer review meetings are held quarterly and run from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM. Participants are expected to volunteer to present cases and interviewers will present recorded interviews of adjudicated or closed cases. Please review RCW 26.44.189 Child forensic interview peer reviews – Confidentiality agreements for the full statute text. All recorded interviews will be uploaded within Guardify, a secure digital evidence management platform. Contact Lisette at lisette@cacwa.org for information about Guardify or to be added as a user for peer review. Peer review is conducted via Zoom, a HIPAA-compliant web-conferencing platform.
Please note the date of Peer Review may change due to unforeseen calendar conflicts.
Choosing a case for review:
Choose a closed case.
Don't choose your best interview. Choose one that you would like feedback on how to do things differently or to receive suggestions on how to handle a certain age group, etc.
Review the case and be ready to give an overview of circumstances.
Prepare questions or highlight specifics for the group to address.
Washington Forensic Interview Peer Review Session Orientation Guide – This guide provides information about the peer review logistics, how to join a peer review session, the structure of peer review, and what to expect following peer review.

This training introduces new MDT members to the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model and the collaborative approach used to respond to child abuse cases across Washington State. Participants will learn about the history of the CAC movement and how national, regional, and state networks work together to support CACs, children, and families. The session will also highlight the services provided by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Washington (CACWA), explain how the CAC model works, and explore the benefits of a coordinated response. Attendees will review key Washington State RCWs related to child abuse investigations and MDTs, become familiar with the core disciplines that make up the team, and learn about the case referral and review processes. The training will also discuss the elements of a successful MDT and emphasize awareness of secondary stress—helping participants build a strong foundation for effective, compassionate teamwork.

Select the date that works for your schedule. This training is a single session.

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.

Victim Advocate Roundtable is open to victim advocates working with CACs and MDTs in Washington state including CAC-based, community-based, and systems-based advocates. This is a supportive space to network, share current practices in the field, and receive input on challenging cases from peers.
An agenda will be sent out before each roundtable session with an article or resource relevant to the field of victim advocacy. Come prepared to share a situation with the group that you want feedback on or share a positive experience with the group.
The Victim Advocate Roundtable has moved to quarterly sessions. Please select the dates you wish to attend – you can choose multiple dates.
Victim Advocate Roundtable sessions may change due to unforeseen calendar conflicts.

This training introduces new MDT members to the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model and the collaborative approach used to respond to child abuse cases across Washington State. Participants will learn about the history of the CAC movement and how national, regional, and state networks work together to support CACs, children, and families. The session will also highlight the services provided by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Washington (CACWA), explain how the CAC model works, and explore the benefits of a coordinated response. Attendees will review key Washington State RCWs related to child abuse investigations and MDTs, become familiar with the core disciplines that make up the team, and learn about the case referral and review processes. The training will also discuss the elements of a successful MDT and emphasize awareness of secondary stress—helping participants build a strong foundation for effective, compassionate teamwork.

Select the date that works for your schedule. This training is a single session.

This training introduces new MDT members to the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model and the collaborative approach used to respond to child abuse cases across Washington State. Participants will learn about the history of the CAC movement and how national, regional, and state networks work together to support CACs, children, and families. The session will also highlight the services provided by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Washington (CACWA), explain how the CAC model works, and explore the benefits of a coordinated response. Attendees will review key Washington State RCWs related to child abuse investigations and MDTs, become familiar with the core disciplines that make up the team, and learn about the case referral and review processes. The training will also discuss the elements of a successful MDT and emphasize awareness of secondary stress—helping participants build a strong foundation for effective, compassionate teamwork.

Select the date that works for your schedule. This training is a single session.

The purpose of peer review is to provide Child Interview Specialists and MDT Partners with an opportunity to review forensic interviews, discuss specific interview techniques, provide feedback regarding the quality of documentation, and review relevant research

Peer review is for Child Interview Specialists and MDT Partners who completed a 32-hour basic forensic interview training (CAIA or another nationally recognized training) and conduct forensic interviews as part of their work.

Peer review meetings are held quarterly and run from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM. Participants are expected to volunteer to present cases and interviewers will present recorded interviews of adjudicated or closed cases. Please review RCW 26.44.189 Child forensic interview peer reviews – Confidentiality agreements for the full statute text. All recorded interviews will be uploaded within Guardify, a secure digital evidence management platform. Contact Lisette at lisette@cacwa.org for information about Guardify or to be added as a user for peer review. Peer review is conducted via Zoom, a HIPAA-compliant web-conferencing platform.

Please note the date of Peer Review may change due to unforeseen calendar conflicts.

Choosing a case for review:
Choose a closed case.
Don't choose your best interview. Choose one that you would like feedback on how to do things differently or to receive suggestions on how to handle a certain age group, etc.
Review the case and be ready to give an overview of circumstances.
Prepare questions or highlight specifics for the group to address.

Washington Forensic Interview Peer Review Session Orientation Guide – This guide provides information about the peer review logistics, how to join a peer review session, the structure of peer review, and what to expect following peer review.

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.