The SRCAC Exchange – Details, episodes & analysis

Season 2: Forensic Interviewer Growth Continuum

Episode 1: Unlocking the Secrets: A Q&A on developing forensic interviewers

Forensic interviewers play a crucial role in gathering information from victims, especially when it involves vulnerable populations like children. But what does it take to become a skilled forensic interviewer? How do we develop their expertise and ensure their techniques adhere to the highest professional standards? Forensic interviewing requires a unique blend of skills, empathy, and the ability to work with the multidisciplinary team. In this episode, we offer a Q&A with the National Children’s Advocacy Center’s Director of Forensic Interview Training and Services, Linda Cordisco Steele, and explore the strategies and approaches used to develop skilled forensic interviewers, whose work can make a profound difference in the lives of children and families.

Episode Transcript

Show Notes:

Prepare yourself for an insightful deep dive on this episode, as Christina Rouse has an engaging conversation with Linda Cordisco Steele, the Director of Forensic Interview Training and Services at the National Children’s Advocacy Center.  These experts draw from their wealth of experience to shed light on the vital role of continuous skill development, mentorship, and support for new forensic interviewers. They stress the importance of initial observation before formal training, consistent practice post-training, and the necessity of continual development skills. Christina and Linda distinguish between administrative and skills-based supervision, emphasizing the need for a safe a supportive environment for interviewers to reflect on their experiences and build resilience when their administrative supervisors lack the same forensic interviewing experience.  

Our discussion goes beyond training, touching on the multidisciplinary collaboration and peer review in the development and support of interviewers, and they suggest a comprehensive approach involving facilitated discussions, feedback, and ongoing training.  Christina and Linda delve into the challenge of balancing interviewer development with high service demands, offering creative solutions for those with limited resources. The conversation closes with a call to action for those with limited resources to explore innovative solutions for interviewer support, reinforcing the idea that the development of interviewers is a continuous, lifelong learning process.  Tune in to uncover the fascinating, complex world of forensic interviewing, and gain a newfound appreciation for this crucial profession. Hit the subscribe button now!  

Host: 

Christina Rouse​, MSW​ 

Guest: 

Linda Cordisco Steele, M.Ed., LPC

Project Manager: 

Lauren Tanner, MSEd 

Links: 

Contact Host: 

• Christina Rouse 

Linda Cordisco Steele, M.Ed., LPC 

The SRCAC Exchange 

SRCAC Facebook 

SRCAC LinkedIn 

National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) Mentoring and Consultation Groups for Child Forensic Interviewers 

NCAC’s Consultation Group for Supervisors of Forensic Interviewers Continuing Education 

National Children’s Advocacy Center 

Support Programs: 

• Peer Review 

National Children’s Alliance: 

• Standards for Accredited Members for CACs 

Connect to your Chapter: 

• Midwest Region 

• Northeast Region 

• Southern Region 

• Western Region 

Connect to your Region: 

• Regional Children’s Advocacy Centers 

Follow SRCAC on Facebook and LinkedIn for more learning content! 

Season 2: Forensic Interviewer Growth Continuum

Episode 6: Building Resilience: Empowering forensic interviewers for sustainable success

As forensic interviewers bear witness to the harrowing narratives of children who have experienced trauma, these stories can have profound effects on the well-being of interviewers. The cumulative toll of this work can contribute to many facets of secondary traumatic stress. In this episode, we will explore the impact of this work on forensic interviewers and shed light on the crucial role supervisors play in supporting their well-being. Discover how supervisors can be champions of retention, creating environments that prioritize well-being and equip forensic interviewers with the tools to cultivate their resilience.  

Episode Transcript

Show Notes:

Step into the complex world of forensic interviewing in this insightful conversation between Christina Rouse and Lisa Conradi, Executive Director of the Chadwick Center.  In this episode, they discuss the challenging roles forensic interviewers play in child abuse investigations, providing healing and support to victims while acting as witnesses for significant legal proceedings.  This demanding role comes with both physical and emotional burdens, but the interviewers’ resilience and deep-seated concern for the well-being of children and families keep them going.  

We’ll also explore the profound personal impact on these forensic interviewers.  From personal life intrusions and heightened safety awareness to emotional exhaustion, the demanding nature of their work leaves deep imprints.  However, through organizational support, open conversations, self-care, and finding fulfillment in their vital work, they navigate these hurdles.  This conversation also highlights leadership strategies, support mechanisms, and useful resources for addressing secondary traumatic stress among interviewers. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the child welfare system, trauma-informed care, and the resilience of those working on the frontlines. Hit the subscribe button now!  

Host: 

Christina Rouse​, MSW​ 

Guest: 

Lisa Conradi, Psy.D. 

Project Manager: 

Lauren Tanner, MSEd 

Quote: 

“Resilience represents a constellation of characteristics that protect individuals from the potential negative effects of stressors.” – Ivan Robertson 

Links: 

Contact Host: 

• Christina Rouse 

Contact Guest: 

• Lisa Conradi 

Other Resources: 

The SRCAC Exchange 

SRCAC Facebook 

SRCAC LinkedIn 

National Children’s Advocacy Center 

Chadwick Center for Children and Families 

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network 

Reducing Secondary Traumatic Stress: Skills for Sustaining a Career in the Helping Professions by Brian C. Miller 

Love and Work by Marcus Buckingham 

Secondary Traumatic Stress Informed-Organizational Assessment  

Secondary Traumatic Stress Consortium  

SRCAC: Reflect. Refuel. Reset. Hub 

The CE-CERT Model 

Follow SRCAC on Facebook and LinkedIn for more learning content! 

Season 1: It Takes A Podcast: Conversations on PSB with the Experts 

Episode 4: Paula Condol

Jimmy Widdifield Jr. hosts a conversation with Paula Condol, Executive Director and Clinician at the Dakota Children's Advocacy Center in Bismarck, ND. This conversation revolves around how Condol built a program to treat children with PSB in the state of North Dakota, where each of the three CACs has a considerable rural service area. Condol also discusses the challenges of providing access to children from around the state and strategies that she has employed herself and in collaboration with a sister CAC to mitigate these challenges. 

Paula Condol has been the executive director of Dakota Children's Advocacy Center in Bismarck, ND since 2000. Condol has expertise in providing mental health services to children and families in rural and frontier communities. She is trained in providing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Alternatives for Families-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT) and Problematic Sexual Behavior-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT), and is a trainer for both TF-CBT and school-age PSB-CBT. 

Resources:  

PSB Whitepaper: “Children with Problematic Sexual Behavior: Recommendations for the MDT and CAC Process” https://www.srcac.org/research-to-practice-resources/

Episode Transcript: https://www.srcac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Paula-Condol-transcript-final.docx

Credits: 

Music credits: "Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) 

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License 

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This podcast is funded through a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components, operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this podcast (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). 

Season 1: It Takes A Podcast: Conversations on PSB with the Experts 

Episode 5: Matthew Roberts

Jimmy Widdifield Jr. hosts a conversation with Matthew Roberts, Unit Manager at the Jackson County Family Court in Kansas City, Missouri. Roberts discusses the implementation of a PSB-CBT program in Kansas City in partnership with MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault), how the partnership with MOCSA originated, what the impetus was for implementing a PSB program, and what shifts needed to occur not only within the court system but also with community partners who treat these cases. 

Matthew Roberts is the Unit Manager for the Case Assessment Unit at the Jackson County Family Court in Kansas City, Missouri. His background of work in community-based programs and mental health prepared him for implementing a PSB-CBT program in Kansas City in partnership with MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault). 

Resources:  

PSB Whitepaper: “Children with Problematic Sexual Behavior: Recommendations for the MDT and CAC Process” https://www.srcac.org/research-to-practice-resources/

YPSB Training Series from NCA: https://learn.nationalchildrensalliance.org/psb

MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault): https://www.mocsa.org/

Episode Transcript: https://www.srcac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Matthew-Roberts-transcript-final.docx

Credits: 

Music credits: "Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) 

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License 

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This podcast is funded through a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components, operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this podcast (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). 

Season 1: It Takes A Podcast: Conversations on PSB with the Experts 

Episode 6: Julie Donelon​

Jimmy Widdifield Jr. hosts a conversation with Julie Donelon, President and CEO of MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) in Kansas City, Missouri. In this episode, Donelon talks about her background as a child abuse and neglect investigator and forensic interviewer and what the impetus was for her to identify and get children with PSB referred into the system. She discusses utilizing her existing relationships with community partners to develop an effective response once a child is referred and witnessing firsthand the overwhelming benefits to treating children with PSB and their families as opposed to adjudicating these cases in family courts. Donelson also talks about how a change in state statute changed the way these cases were reported and how agencies responded. 

Julie Donelon, MSW, is the current President and CEO of the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) in Kansas City, Missouri. Donelon was instrumental in MOCSA obtaining a grant through OJJDP to provide education and training around PSB to mandated reporters, Child Protective Services, and MDTs throughout the state of Missouri. She has more than 20 years experience in the field of child abuse and sexual violence, including a background in social work and experience as a Forensic Interviewer at the Child Protection Center CAC in Kansas City. 

Resources:  

PSB Whitepaper: “Children with Problematic Sexual Behavior: Recommendations for the MDT and CAC Process” https://www.srcac.org/research-to-practice-resources/

MOCSA: https://www.mocsa.org/

Episode Transcript: https://www.srcac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Julie-Donelon-transcript-final.docx

Credits: 

Music credits: "Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) 

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License 

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This podcast is funded through a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components, operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this podcast (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). 

Join us for a conversation with three team facilitators about the challenges and benefits of the MDT model, common struggles that teams experience, best ways to support the facilitator role, and what advice they would offer to other teams in the field.

Greg Flett has over 15 years of experience working with child-serving non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. He has served as Executive Director of CACs in New York and Colorado and has facilitated trainings with MDTs and team facilitators from across the country. Greg joined SRCAC in October of 2017 and continues to provide training and technical assistance to CACs with a focus on building strong and lasting MDTs.

Recorded remotely on November 4, 2021.

Online Training: Cultivating the Role of Team Facilitator https://www.ncacvtc.org/#/online-courses/8fbca2e9-1612-41e5-a7f6-4f45954c506a

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Music credits: "Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This podcast is funded through a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components, operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this podcast (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).

Rural and Resourceful

Rural Children’s Advocacy Centers across the US are faced with determining how to provide direct services to children and families with limited resources in often uniquely large service areas. In this episode, Melissa Brunner talks with two rural CAC Directors in Georgia, who are part of a larger group of rural directors participating in a Rural Think Tank project. These directors share how they handle the challenges of finding creative ways to provide services as well as highlighting how they want to shift the narratives surrounding rural CAC’s.

Natima Walker is the Director of The Greenhouse CAC in Dalton, Georgia. Amy Boney, MSW, is the Director of The Lighthouse CAC in Americus, Georgia. Melissa Brunner is a former CAC and State Chapter Executive Director and is currently a Regional Training Specialist for Southern Regional Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Recorded remotely on August 13, 2020.

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Music credits: "Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This podcast is funded through a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components, operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this podcast (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).

Transitioning Services During COVID-19.

Children’s Advocacy Centers across the US are faced with determining how to transition in-person direct services for children and families to a process that takes precautionary measures against the spread of COVID-19. In this episode, Jerri Sites talks with Dr. Paula Wolfteich, Intervention and Clinical Director of the National Children’s Advocacy Center. Paula shares how NCAC has transitioned their services in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Paula is the Intervention and Clinical Director at the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) in Huntsville, AL. Paula is a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience as a practitioner, trainer, and researcher in the field of child maltreatment. She has experience working within child protective agencies and Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) conducting psychological evaluations, forensic interviews, therapy, program evaluation, and research. She has also had over 10 years of teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate level teaching courses primarily in child and developmental psychology, assessment and child therapies.

Recorded remotely on April 30, 2020.

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Music credits: "Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This podcast is funded through a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components, operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this podcast (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).

Season 2: Forensic Interviewer Growth Continuum

Episode 5: Nurturing Growth: Mentorship and supervision in forensic interviewing

In the realm of forensic interviewing, mentorship and supervision are not mere luxuries—they are indispensable pillars of growth and development. A mentor’s steady guidance and a supervisor’s watchful eye can make all the difference in developing interviewers. In this episode, we will discuss the possibilities of what mentorship and supervision can look like at your CAC. Through check-ins, constructive feedback, opportunities for self-reflection, and continuous learning opportunities, we acknowledge the significance of these relationships in shaping the future of forensic interviewing.  

Episode Transcript

Show Notes:

In this episode, host Christina Rouse is joined by guests Kelly Bober and Lydia Johnson Grady to discuss the critical role of mentorship and supervision in the field of forensic interviewing. Kelly is the Executive Director of the ChildSafe Center-CAC and Lydia is the Program Manager for MDT Development at SRCAC. Drawing form their extensive experience in the field, they delve into the nuances of these two roles, highlighting the importance of guidance and support for interviewers.  They also share personal stories about their own experiences with mentorship, emphasizing the profound impact it had on their professional development.  The conversation further explores the current state of mentorship and supervision in the field, stressing the need for a balance between productivity and ongoing professional development.  

The discussion then shifts to practical aspects of implementing mentorship and supervision in Child Advocacy Centers (CACs).  Lydia and Kelly offer insights on how to create a conducive environment for mentorship, emphasizing the need for dedicated time, purposeful sessions, and mentors who are not only skilled but also enjoy teaching.  They also touch upon the role of peer review in supervision, viewing it as a valuable tool that complements but does not replace mentorship or supervision. They also discuss the challenges of learning from inappropriate sources, such as team members who are not well-versed in the discipline. Christina ends the episode with a powerful quote from J. Loren Norris, noting the importance of seeking guidance in the field of forensic interviewing.  This episode promises to be a deep dive into the nuances of mentorship and supervision, offering valuable insights for both new and experienced professionals in the field. Hit the subscribe button now! 

Host: 

Christina Rouse

Guests: 

Kelly Bober 

Lydia Johnson Grady 

Project Manager: 

Lauren Tanner, MSEd 

Quote: 

“If you cannot see where you are going, ask someone who has been there before.” 

-J. Loren Norris 

Links: 

Contact Host: 

• Christina Rouse 

Connect to Guests: 

• Lydia Johnson Grady 

• Kelly Bober 

The SRCAC Exchange 

SRCAC Facebook 

SRCAC LinkedIn 

National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) 

ChildSafe Center-CAC 

AIM RADAR Tool: Taking AIM: Advanced Interview Mapping for Child Forensic Interviewers 

The National Children’s Alliance Salary Survey 

The National Children’s Advocacy Center’s Mentoring and Consultation Groups for Child Forensic Interviewers 

The National Children’s Advocacy Center’s Consultation Group for Supervisors of Forensic Interviewers Continuing Education 

Follow SRCAC on Facebook and LinkedIn for more learning content! 

Season 2: Forensic Interviewer Growth Continuum

Episode 4: Unleashing Potential: Exploring cutting-edge programming for forensic interviewer skill enhancement

In a world where forensic interviewers are yearning to enhance their skills, building innovative programs is necessary. These programs equip forensic interviewers with the tools they need to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of their work. In this episode, we are featuring two remarkable guests who have revolutionized the landscape of forensic interviewing in their states. Join us as we dive into a captivating discussion with these trailblazers, uncovering the inspiration behind their programs and the transformative impact they’ve had on forensic interviewer skill development.

Episode Transcript

Show Notes:

On this episode, join Christina Rouse and her guests, Josh Bissell and Kristina Taylor-Porter, as they share their experiences in developing innovative programming for forensic interviewers in Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC).  Josh is the Program Director for Children’s Advocacy Centers of Michigan and Kristina is a Board Member and Education Committee Chair, Consultant, and Contract Forensic Interviewer at Children’s Advocacy Centers of Pennsylvania. Today, they discuss the importance of networking, support, and mentorship for interviewers, especially in rural areas. Kristina and Josh highlight the challenges faced with programming in Pennsylvania and Michigan and the initiatives implemented to address them, including peer review sessions and personalized coaching. They emphasize the significance of creating a strong professional network and providing ongoing development opportunities for interviewers.   

The conversation further explores the value of networking at the organizational level, collaboration among CAC directors, and the benefits of monthly forensic interviewer support circles.  They discuss the importance of recognizing the emotional toll of the work and the development of resources to address bias and cultural sensitivity.  Kristina shares insights from the FI Preceptorship Program in Pennsylvania, which pairs new interviewers with seasoned mentors for support and growth. Joshua emphasizes the need to understand interviewers’ needs and provides guidance on developing programming that goes beyond technical skills.  The episode concludes with a reflection on the long-term impact of investing in the growth and support of forensic interviewers for the benefit of children and families.  Don’t miss this captivating episode as Christina, Josh, and Kristina share their expertise, ignite innovation, and inspire collaboration among forensic interviewers in the field.  Hit the subscribe button now! 

Host: 

Christina Rouse 

Guests: 

Josh Bissell 

Kristina Taylor-Porter 

Project Manager: 

Lauren Tanner, MSEd 

Quote: 

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”    -Nelson Henderson 

Links: 

Contact Host: 

• Christina Rouse 

Contact Guests: 

• Joshua Bissell, MSW 

• Kristina Taylor-Porter, MA 

The SRCAC Exchange 

SRCAC Facebook 

SRCAC LinkedIn 

National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) 

Regional Children’s Advocacy Center 

Michigan Chapter 

Pennsylvania Chapter 

• Contact Megan Leader about programming 

Coming soon! Midwest Regional Children’s Advocacy Center: Practical Guide to Managing Bias 

Connect to your Chapter 

Follow SRCAC on Facebook and LinkedIn for more learning content!