Schedule and Daily Agendas
Full Schedule June 6 June 7 June 8 June 9 June 10
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
APSAC's 29th Colloquium
Wednesday, June 8
Navigation
All times in Central.
8:30 am - 9:45 am
Welcome with Stacie Leblanc, JD, MEd and Ernestine C. Briggs-King, PhD
The SAGE CHARLES T. HENDRIX KEYNOTE ADDRESS
We are pleased to announce that SAGE Publications Inc. has agreed to endow the
SAGE Charles T. Hendrix Keynote address at the APSAC Colloquium in honor of the
contributions of C. Terry Hendrix to the field of child maltreatment. The endowment will
be used to fund the expenses of the keynote speaker each year at the Colloquium. APSAC
is indebted to Sage and Terry for their support of the Colloquium and child maltreatment
professionals everywhere.
C. Terry Hendrix, MA, has been a member of APSAC for more than
20 years and was appointed to the APSAC Board of Directors in 1999.
His academic training was in clinical psychology, and he
served in the U.S. Army as a clinical psychology technician. He joined SAGE
Publications in 1984 as an acquiring editor for both journals and books, and
over the next 17 years was instrumental in the development of the SAGE lists
in interpersonal violence and criminology. In his latter years at SAGE, Terry
managed the acquisition, development, and maintenance of all U.S. based
journals in interpersonal violence, including Child Maltreatment, Journal of
Interpersonal Violence, and Violence Against Women.
Plenary with Dr. Stacey Patton
Let’s Talk About the True Meaning of Resilience and Preventing Child Abuse in the Era of Black Lives Matter
In the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and others, there have been many calls to “defund the police” and abolish the child welfare system, including the courts, as part of a strategy to eliminate longstanding racial disparities. Meanwhile, Black children continue to suffer disproportionately higher rates of maltreatment and fatalities than their peers as some professionals “screen out” calls of suspected abuse, excuse physical punishment as intrinsic to Black parenting culture, and opponents continue to push back against prevention efforts such as “No Hit Zones,” public health education on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), and campaigns to eliminate corporal punishment in homes and schools. Those advocating on behalf of maltreated children often ask, “How do we foster resilience in youth so they can rebound from trauma and grow in the face of adversity?” But while resilience, grit, and the ability to bounce back are understandably seductive, it is a misguided approach to child abuse prevention. The real resilience must come from advocates and professionals who need to shift the responsibility off child victims and work to ensure that holistic, culturally responsive systems and protective factors are in place for families and communities so that children do not have to shoulder the burden of adapting to intergenerational traumas.

10:15 am - 11:45 am
Sessions
1. A Survivor Attorney's Perspective and Guide to Trauma-Informed Investigations and Prosecutions of Child Sexual Abuse (Beginning)
A survivor attorney's guide on the do's and don'ts of effective case investigation, management, and prosecution with the two-fold goal of promoting victim resilience and strengthening case outcomes.
Laken Albrink, JD
2. Enhancing Caregiver's Resilience and Ability to Care for Youth with a History of Sexual Exploitation (Beginning)
Empirically supported and effective strategies for caregivers and CSE youth will be discussed. Ways to increase resilience in the family will be highlighted.
Dawn Blacker, PhD; Brandi Liles, PhD; Daniela Barerra-Barajas, MSW; Samantha Corona, LCSW
3. Child Interviewing 2022: Update on Research and Practice (Intermediate)
I will review the latest research on child interviewing and provide case studies of how the research can best be put to use in practice.
Tom Lyon, JD, PhD
4. Addressing Secondary Traumatic Stress and Improving Workforce Resilience Through Reflective Supervision (Intermediate)
This presentation highlights the lessons, strategies, and resources from county child welfare agencies that implemented reflective practice as a model for addressing secondary traumatic stress and improving workforce resilience.
Melissa Bernstein, PhD; Al Killen-Harvey, LCSW; Nicole Ditto, MSW; Andrea Hazen, PhD; Brent Crandal, PhD
5. You can't make this stuff up: unusual, interesting and sometimes bizarre cases of suspected abuse (Intermediate)
This workshop will review unusual, interesting and sometimes bizarre cases of suspected abuse that presented for medical evaluation. The ultimate diagnoses relied on a multidisciplinary approach.
Debra Esernio-Jenssen, MD; Barbara Knox, MD
6. The Missing Piece: Trauma in Youth with Disruptive Behavior Disorders (Intermediate)
Trauma is common amongst youth with disruptive behavior disorders. We explore the role of trauma and survival coping in such behaviors and approaches to evaluating trauma-related symptoms in these youth.
Lara Cox, MD, MS; Akeem Marsh, MD
7. When Trauma Hits Close to Home: Navigating Practice and Supervision When Clinician and Client Trauma Histories Align (Intermediate)
Application of the Components for Enhancing Clinician Experience and Reducing Trauma (CE-CERT) model to practice and supervision when a clinician's primary trauma intersects with a client's trauma will be reviewed.
Elena Doskey, PhD; Elizabeth Risch, PhD
Research Sessions (10:15 am - 11:45 am)
10:15 am - 10:45 am
8. Public Perceptions in the United States of the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (Beginning)
Child sexual abuse imagery online is a problem on an almost unfathomable scale. Results from a national poll to assess public awareness and views on this crisis will be described.
Mary Pulido, PhD; Jacqueline Holloway, PhD
10:45 am - 11:15 am
8. The Effect of Victim Age on the Detection of Grooming Behaviors in Child Sexual Abuse (Intermediate)
We examined the effects of child age (5/6-years-old, 14/15-years-old) on the detection of grooming behaviors and extent of participant intervention in child sexual abuse cases.
Kayla Spenard, BS; Laura Pazos, BS; Daniella Cash, PhD
11:15 am - 11:45 am
8. Preventing Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in Youth Serving Organizations (YSOs) (Intermediate)
A CDC Foundation/CDC Division of Violence Prevention project to examine the best available evidence and develop resources to support diverse YSOs in preventing CSA and ensuring safe environments for youth.
Jessica McCain, PhD
11:45 am – 1:00 pm
Lunch on your own
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Sessions
1. Observing Caregiver-Child Dyads: How to detect relationship clues in a brief observation (Beginning)The emotional nuances within a caregiver-child relationship tell us about their strengths and needs. This workshop will teach you how to get the most information out of brief interactions.
Lindsay Armendariz, MS; Deanna Boys, MA; Colleen Allen, BA
2. Curriculum Development & Adaptation: The Science for Success with Adult Learners (Intermediate)
This workshop guides leaders to maximum workforce excellence through training by designing and delivering curriculum around participants' needs, effective adult learning principles, and making presentation adaptations for on-line.
Nan Beeler, MSW; Amanda Beach, MPA
3. Benefits and Pitfalls of Narrative Event Practice in Forensic Interviews (Beginning)
Now that most forensic interview trainings/models teach some type of narrative practice in the early stage of interviews, interviewers are raising questions about implementation across a diverse child population.
Julie Kenniston, MSW, LISW
4. Controversies Regarding Parental Alienation: Authentic Voices, Critique of Current Research, and Practical Applications (Beginning)
Presentation will describe the history of Parental Alienation, critically evaluate the research used to support Parental Alienation, and discuss strategies for determining the causes of child fear of parental contact.
Kathleen Faller, PhD; Jean Mercer, PhD; Madelyn Milchman, PhD; David Corwin, MD
5. Building Resilience through Harm Reduction: Working with Sexually Exploited & Trafficked Young People (Intermediate)
This presentation examines the conceptual framework of harm reduction, reviews data on the approach with sexually exploited youth and provides practical risk reduction strategies for professionals serving sexually exploited youth.
Brandi Liles, PhD; Dawn Blacker, PhD
6. Ubuntu: Moving Toward Racial Equity through Universal Humanity and the Therapeutic Alliance (Advanced)
This workshop will explore how clinicians navigate cultural differences during treatment, focusing on ways to strengthen the therapeutic alliance while working with clients of diverse identities.
Akeem Marsh, MD; Jennifer Cabrera, MD
7. A Wound Without a Cure: Finding Justice for Child Victims (Intermediate)
This session discusses methods demonstrated to increase criminal convictions, the concept of justice and various approaches through which justice may be realized for children outside of the criminal arena.
Amy Russell, MSEd, JD, NCC
8. The Medical Evaluation of Suspected Maltreated Children (Advanced)
Our training will provide education for general practitioners, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and forensic nurses who want to gain a greater understanding of the medical evaluation of child.
Debra Esernio-Jenssen, MD; Barbara Knox, MD; Stacie LeBlanc, JD
9. Bias in the Investigative Process of Child Abuse Cases (Intermediate)
This workshop will strengthen MDTs effectiveness by exploring Explicit, Implicit, and Confirmation Biases and the impact biases have on the investigative process. A skills-based workshop utilizing case scenarios.
Michelle Greenburg, MSW; Renee Roman, MSW
Research Sessions (1:00 pm - 2:30 pm )
10. Social and demographic characteristics of child maltreatment fatalities among children ages 5-17 years (Intermediate)
We used data from the U.S. National Fatality Review Case Reporting System to examine maltreatment deaths among children ages 5-17 years and describe the differences from infants and young children.
Vincent Palusci, MD, MS; Patricia Schnitzer
10. The Accrual of Adverse Childhood Experiences Following a Child Protective Services Investigation: A Prospective Approach (Beginning)
This presentation prospectively tracks the accumulation of adverse childhood experiences, as individual items and as cumulative risk, in a national sample of children left in-home following a child protection investigation.
Jesse Helton, PhD
10. Pediatric Forensic Analysis: The Benefits of DNA Collection Beyond 24 Hours (Intermediate)
Describe forensic evidence findings in acute child sexual abuse after implementing more inclusive indications for collection of evidence in a pediatric emergency department; and identify factors associated with yield of DNA.
Gail Hornor, DNP, CPNP, SANE-P
2:45 pm - 4:15 pm
Sessions
1. Importance of Differentiating between Autistic Spectrum Traits and Sexual Abuse Indicators in Children and Adolescents (Intermediate)
There are many traits that are shared or 'crossover' between youth with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and youth that are survivors of sexual abuse. Differentiating is helpful to effective treatment.
Lisa Donze Jacob, LCSW
2. Engaging Biological Caregivers in Trauma Treatment for Young Children in Foster Care: CPP, PCIT, TF-CBT considerations (Intermediate)
This presentation will discuss the impact of complex trauma on parenting and considerations for how to effectively include biological caregivers in trauma treatment for young children exposed to trauma.
Sufna John, PhD; Glen Mesman, PhD
3. Benefits and Pitfalls of Narrative Event Practice in Forensic Interviews (Beginning)
Now that most forensic interview trainings/models teach some type of narrative practice in the early stage of interviews, interviewers are raising questions about implementation across a diverse child population.
Julie Kenniston, MSW, LISW
4. Penetration, Injury and Evidence: A Visual Review Examining Three Decades of Research (Intermediate)
This workshop, using case examples with anogenital images, reviews three decades of child sexual abuse research in the context of exam findings and data from a large outpatient medical clinic.
Hollye Gallion, MSN, PPCNP-BC; Lori Littrell, MSN, NP-C
5. Why 'Do As I Say, Not As I Do' Doesn't Work - Unpacking The Impact Of Trauma On Parenting (Beginning)
Unaddressed trauma responses in parents can result in perpetuation of the cycle of trauma. Strengths-based and culturally-informed strategies that mitigate the effects of trauma while fostering resilience will be discussed.
Sasha Stok, PhD; Felicia McNair, PhD
6. Trauma Resilience & Protective Factor Overview and Implementation with Youths Experiencing Complex PTSD (Advanced)
Training will provide an overview of protective factors relevant to trauma resilience and specific individual and group assessment & intervention applications for use following trauma & with complex PTSD cases.
Machelle Madsen Thompson, PhD, LCSW; Savannah Smith-Collier, MSW, LCSW
7. Prevent-It Certification: Taking Action to Stop Child Sexual Abuse (Beginning)
This training session will present the Prevent-It Program to all Participants. This program is a community-based prevention program to address awareness of Child Sexual Abuse.
Wanda Polzin, MA, RCSW, EdD
8. Assessing Resiliency Using the Forensic Team Assessment Approach (Intermediate)
Trauma experiences can have a detrimental impact on one's overall mental health and functioning. A full assessment of resilience provides useful insights to assist in treatment planning for positive outcomes.
Stephanie Kurilla, MA, LPC; Melissa A. Ciottone, PsyD
9. Faith & Trauma: How Theology and Neuroscience Can Work Together to Promote Overall Health & Well Being for Our Children
Much has been written about the intersection of religion and mental health. However, not much research has been done on how to get faith-professionals and social service professionals to better understand, learn from, and work with each other to promote protective factors and overall family wellbeing. This workshop will feature a panel of faith-leaders from various faith-traditions, many of whom are also trained and/or certified in mental health fields, who will speak about best practices to this work. The panel will also include social service professionals who have obtained theological and/or religious training to enhance their effectiveness in their professional settings. Emphasis will be placed on how to accomplish the overall goal of promoting healthy family engagement and outcomes using a multi-disciplinary approach.
Rabbi Pam, Frydman, [Jewish Faith]; Rev. Dr. Sanghoon Yoo; [Christian Faith]; Amman Seehra, NJ [Sikh Faith]; Rev. Darrell Armstrong
Research Sessions (2:45 pm - 4:15 pm)
10. The Development and Findings of a Youth Survey for Child Advocacy Centers: Empowerment for Child Victims of Abuse (Beginning)
This presentation outlines the development and pilot study findings of a youth feedback survey for Child Advocacy Centers and how it can serve as a tool of empowerment and resilience.
Elizabeth Cross, PhD; Wendy Walsh, PhD; Theodore Cross, PhD; Kaitlin Lounsbury, MA
10. A New Helpline for Youth with Concerns about Sexual Interests and Behaviors: Findings of Usability and Feasibility (Beginning)
Although most sex offenses are committed by juveniles, resources for youth at risk for perpetrating sexual offenses are limited. Here we present a new youth-focused helpline and early evaluation findings.
Melissa Bright, PhD; Joan Tabachnick, MBA; Brittany Gordon, LCSW; Jenny Coleman, MA, LMHC
10. Relationship of Maternal Age and of ACEs with Self-Harm and Suicidal Gestures in Exploited, Trafficked and Abused Youth (Intermediate)
This presentation will explore the relationship between early maternal age and exposure to ACEs as related to self-harming behaviors and suicidal gestures in trafficked, exploited and sexually abused youth.
Kirsten Byrnes, PsyD; HaeSung Han, Psy.D., ATR-BC, LCAT; Lacy Starnes, LPC
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Sessions
1. Trauma-Informed Care, Resilience, and Empowerment for Survivors of Child Abuse (Intermediate)
This presentation on the topic of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) for survivors is an in-depth review of TIC techniques, resilience, and the use of an evidence-based treatment model.
April Dirks, PhD, MSW
2. Increasing Resilience Yours and Theirs: Learn, Model & Teach (Intermediate)
Learn, Model & Teach resilience skills. Professionals will be better able to prevent burnout and teach their clients resiliency skills with concrete suggestions anchored in research and professional experience.
Laura Gaines, MSW, LISW-S
3. Forensic Interview Approaches for Technology-Facilitated Crimes (Intermediate)
Due to the nature of sex offender manipulation, it is crucial for forensic interviewers to understand the methods employed by offenders to gain compliance from children. Interviewers can elicit information that helps law enforcement identify additional victims, items to be searched for and seized, as well as potential interrogation strategies.
Dave Peifer, LT (Ret)
4. Hurt People Hurt: The Link Between Trauma and Chronic Pain (Intermediate)
This presentation describes the physiological link between childhood trauma reactions and chronic pain and offers specific tools therapists can use to assess and address chronic pain with their clients.
Brandi Hawk, PhD
5. Thresholds for Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect from an Interdisciplinary Perspective (Intermediate)
This presentation examines how university trainers teach soon to be community-based mandated reporters how to understand and interpret the phenomenon of 'reasonable suspicion' of abuse and/or neglect.
George Hebert, PhD; Krystal Vaughn, PhD; Rachel Chappell, PhD
6. What About the Baby: the Intersection of High Conflict Caregiving, Infant Mental Health, and Child Advocacy Centers (Beginning)
This session will clearly define Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health, explore high conflict caregiving dynamics, and offer considerations for clinicians working within Child Advocacy Centers.
Sarah Kliman, LCSW, MT-BC, IMH-E
7. Trauma Sensitive Yoga: An Overview and Practice to Support Wellbeing of Child Maltreatment Professionals (Beginning)
This session will include an overview of trauma sensitive yoga, a review of vicarious trauma affecting the work of child maltreatment professionals, and an accessible trauma sensitive yoga chair practice.
Mandy O'Hara, MD, MPH, TCTSY-F
8. Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths and Fatal Child Abuse (Intermediate)
This session presents new information about the risk factors, pathology and investigation of sudden infant deaths that can assist investigators in the determining the cause of death and preventing future.
Vincent J. Palusci, MD, MS
9. Intrafamilial Child Torture: Impact on Child Survivors and Need for Multidisciplinary Interventions (Intermediate)
This training will discuss the impact of Intrafamilial Child Torture on child survivors, and the comprehensive interventions needed from multiple disciplines, including mental health, child welfare, medical, and spiritual interventions.
Pamela Miller, JD, MSW, LISW-S
Research Sessions (4:30 pm - 5:30 pm)
10. Expanding the Workforce: Getting More Pediatric SANEs Into Practice (Intermediate)
This presentation focuses on the creation of a 40-hour pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner training and the transition of the program to an online format due to the pandemic.
Janice Ceccucci, DNP, FNP-BC; Nancy Harris, NP-C, NYSAFE, SANE-A, SANE-P
10. The Psychosocial Impact and Effectiveness of Psychoeducational Groups for Coping with COVID-19 among Essential Workers (Intermediate)
The purpose of this research was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the well-being of essential workers and to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention for these groups.
Becky Antle, Ph.D., MSSW, LMFT; Ashley R. Logsdon, MSSW; Anita Barbee, PhD, MSSW
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Welcome Reception & Posters
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Uncharted Territory: Barriers to the Effective Management of Medical Child Abuse Cases
Giana L. Angotti, BA; James C. Hamilton, PhD
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A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study to Evaluate the Implementation of a No-Hit Zone in an Urban Homeless Shelter
Ellen Chiocca, PhD, CPNP
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Implementation of the Florida Guardianship Assistance Program
Morgan Cooley, PhD, LCSW; Martie Gillen, PhD; Selena Garrison, MS
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Foster Parent Preservice Training: Perspectives of Foster Parents and Child Welfare Workers in Florida
Morgan Cooley, PhD, LCSW; Heather Thompson, PhD, LCSW; Marianna Colvin, PhD; Martie Gillen, PhD; Robin Jimenez-Bean
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How School and Community Supports Influence Psychosocial Outcomes of Children Experiencing Emotional Maltreatment
Karissa DiMarzio, MS; Michaela Sisitsky, BS; Suggizett Satoba; Geraldine Cadet, BA; Kate Wright; Justin Parent, PhD
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Baseline Nurturing Behavior in Caregivers as a Predictor of Optimal Outcomes for the ACT Raising Safe Kids Program
Dilpreet Kaeley, MD Candidate, BS
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Physical and Emotional Sibling Violence in Childhood and Its Influence on Sibling Relationships in Adulthood
Nathan Perkins, PhD, MSW, MS;
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Augmenting Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Mobile Apps
Manderley Recinos, BS, MS; Kathryn O'Hara, BS
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Medical Consultations Within Child Protective Services Offices
Erica Mariani, MS, CPN, FNP; Melissa Nieman, LCSW-R
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Reducing Health Disparities by Understanding the Emergence of Alcohol Use Disorder in Maltreated Adolescents
Victoria Swaine, MA