Please find the full list of NCA Accreditation Standards here.
Note: These do not satisfy the requirements for foundational training but are for continuing education in practice areas.
Workshop Session One (10:30 AM – 12:00 PM)
1a. Pediatric and Adolescent Non-fatal Strangulation
Cynthia Moore, NP, Samantha Dias, MSW, LCSW, Andrew Giarolo, J.D.
This workshop will provide multidisciplinary team members with information regarding the importance of recognizing strangulation as part of a sexual assault, domestic violence, or physical abuse incident. Content will include information on not only the physical strangulation of a pediatric/adolescent patient, but also choking (The Choking Game), suicide by hanging, Auto-erotic asphyxiation, smothering, and the child witness to strangulation. Participants will learn about the research, anatomy, and mechanisms of injury of the pediatric and adolescent strangulation victim.
MDT members will hear about how and when a forensic interview might be beneficial. Lastly, participants will learn about current Massachusetts statutes regarding strangulation and prosecution of perpetrators of this crime.
Workshop Level: Intermediate
NCA Accreditation Standards:
MDT (B)
ME (B)
FI (B)
Physical Abuse (C)
VA (B)
1b. Trafficking Risk Factors for Migrant Youth
Sofie Suter, LSW, Brianna Breuer, MA, Henry Chavez
In this workshop, participants will receive an in-depth training on factors that put unaccompanied children at risk for trafficking. We will discuss the differences between labor and sex trafficking, and how to recognize the signs of both. Participants can also expect to walk away with a deeper understanding of who unaccompanied children are, why they migrate to the United States alone, and what resources are available to them once they arrive here.
Workshop Level: Foundational
NCA Accreditation Standards:
MDT (B)
DEA (E) (F)
CSEC (A)
1c. Empirically Based Prosecution for Youth with Problematic Sexual Behaviors
Paul Stern
One of the most difficult decisions that prosecutors make is what to do with juveniles accused of sexually aggressive behavior. The decision process is hampered by misguided laws, misperceptions of risk, poor public policy, and a system that is typically counterproductive to thoughtful prosecution in these cases. This career prosecutor offers a review of the articulated rationales for the creation of significant legal and social policies regarding juvenile sex offenders and examines the empirical evidence that challenges or supports those policies. He argues it is incumbent upon prosecutors to ensure that their decisions are guided by the best available research and an understanding of empirical information when they’re faced with the difficult task of prosecuting juvenile sexual offenders.
Workshop Level: Intermediate
NCA Accreditation Standards:
MDT (A) (B)
1d. Kids, Cases, and Consequences: Child Sexual Abuse Reported to the Criminal Legal System
Stephanie D. Block, Ph.D.
This talk will review a retrospective analysis of 500 child sexual abuse (CSA) cases referred for prosecution in 4 counties in one state. The purpose of the study was to explore case trajectories and barriers to prosecution. Case attrition rates and the CSA case characteristics associated with prosecution outcomes will be discussed. Only a small portion of cases move forward with prosecution. Delays in disclosure and what triggered children to disclose will be reviewed. The talk will also highlight recent follow-up work, including qualitative interviews with non-offending caregivers of sexually abused children and other non-prosecutorial outcomes in these cases.
Workshop Level: Intermediate
NCA Accreditation Standards:
MDT (B)
FI (B)
1e. Hitting Reset: Addressing Gaming with Those Who Sexually Harm Others
Dr. David Delmonico, LPC, Dr. Steve Kuniak, LPC
Apex. Halo. Minecraft. Fortnite. LoL. GTA. WoW. Roblox. According to a Pew Research study in 2018, an estimated 90% of 13-17-year-old adolescents play video games on their computer, gaming console, or cell phone. Sexual innuendos, online sexual interactions, and direct conversations about sex between gamers is common. Chances are the adolescents you treat play some form of video games. Understanding the “Gamer Culture” is critical to the assessment and treatment process, especially for children and adolescents.
This workshop will use lecture and demonstrations to introduce participants to various forms of gaming and gaming culture. There will be discussion regarding how gaming may intersect the world of sexuality, including in-game pornography and sexual behavior. Further, Internet Gaming Addiction is a diagnosis being considered for inclusion in the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) – this diagnosis will be discussed in terms of its possible overlap with sexual offense behavior.
Additionally, this workshop will address how gaming can be a positive addition to the treatment process. Gaming can provide a positive leisure activity, help to develop problem solving skills, improve patience and resilience, and create a positive social network – all of which are protective factors for sexual offense behavior.
The latest trends in therapeutic gaming will be discussed, including the risks and benefits of directly gaming with your adolescent clients. This workshop will provide thought-provoking, practical ideas for working with adolescents who game.
Workshop Level: Foundational
NCA Accreditation Standards:
MDT (B)
MH (B)
Workshop Session Two (1:15 PM – 2:45 PM)
2a. Treatment work with Black Girls: The Impact of Adultification, Racial Trauma, and Systems on Their Well-Being and Treatment Needs
Dr. Tyffani Monford Dent
Research has demonstrated the failure of systems intended to provide needed supports for Black girls to be emotionally healthy. When Black girls engage in problematic decisions or experience trauma, system responses are often disproportionately harsh and do not meet their needs. This presentation will discuss research addressing biases against Black girls, system failures, adultification biases, cultural expectations, and the role of intersectionality in meeting the mental health needs of Black girls.
Workshop Level: Intermediate
NCA Accreditation Standards:
MDT (B)
MH (B)
DEA (E) (F)
2b. Massachusetts Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
Lt. Jeff Perry, Sgt. Matt Prescott
This presentation will provide an overview of the Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crime Unit and the Massachusetts Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and how they can assist CACs and MDTs in protecting children. We will discuss resources used by the ICAC Task Force, such as the ICAC national network and collaborative digital evidence collection and analysis.
Workshop Level: Foundational
NCA Accreditation Standards:
VA (B)
MDT (A)
CSEC (A)
FI (B)
2c. Hitting Reset: Addressing Gaming with Those Who Sexually Harm Others
(Repeated workshop, please refer to workshop 1e for description)
2d. Addressing Recantation in Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Cases
Kristina Korobov, J.D.
Adults and children recant for a number of reasons. If prosecutors routinely dismiss cases involving recanting victims, these victims and potential future victims may not be safe. This presentation will address recantation, how it looks and the process involved. We will discuss ways to mitigate the risk of recantation and the need to investigate recantations. Finally, we will look at building strong cases so that we can hold offenders accountable even when there is a recantation.
Workshop Level: Intermediate
NCA Accreditation Standards:
MDT (B)
FI (B)
2e. CE-CERT: A New Paradigm for Addressing Secondary Traumatic Stress, Moral Distress, and Burnout in Child Abuse Professionals
Jimmy Widdifield, Jr.
All professionals who work in child maltreatment are at risk of experiencing burnout, moral distress, and secondary traumatic stress (STS). While there is an increase in recognizing and addressing these experiences, typical strategies often focus on aftercare which fall short of providing a long-term meaningful impact. Components for Enhancing Career Experience and Reducing Trauma (CE-CERT) is a paradigm shift in how we conceptualize and address burnout and STS. Based on current evidence, CE-CERT organizes easily acquirable practical skills to support well-being throughout the day and establishes new habits that more effectively mitigate the impact of burnout and STS.
This session will overview the conceptual foundation and five practice components of CE-CERT. Participants will learn skills they can immediately use to support their well-being and that of others.
Workshop Level: Foundational
NCA Accreditation Standards:
MH (B)
MDT (A)
VA (B)
Workshop Session Three (3:00 PM – 4:30 PM)
3a. Identifying, Recognizing and ‘Working With’ Bias in the Investigative and MDT Process
Renee Roman, LMSW
Bias and its implications for child abuse investigations and multidisciplinary teamwork is a new and emerging topic. This workshop focuses on bias and how it will impact the investigation and potential outcome of cases. This is a practicum workshop; participants will participate in several case scenarios during the investigative and the case conferencing process. Attendees will learn to distinguish three types of bias and recognize their own bias as cases unfold. The purpose of this workshop is to provide attendees with knowledge to strengthen MDT teams in the recognition of bias and the skills to mitigate its impact on children, families, and case outcomes.
Workshop Level: Intermediate
NCA Accreditation Standards:
MDT (A)
DEA (E) (F)
FI (B)
VA (B)
3b. Crafting Assistance for Underrepresented Groups: One Survivor's Journey
Jose Alfaro
In this workshop, Jose Alfaro shares his personal journey as a survivor of domestic child sex trafficking, youth homelessness, and navigating life as an LGBTQ+ Latino individual in Texas. Through his presentation, Jose sheds light on the vital role that service providers have in supporting marginalized youth. He urges participants to confront their biases, acknowledge systemic barriers, and understand the vulnerabilities that shape the experiences of young people. By fostering awareness and creating supportive systems, we can uplift and empower youth impacted by these challenges.
Workshop Level: Foundational
NCA Accreditation Standards:
MDT (B)
DEA (E) (F)
CSEC (A)
3c. Promoting Safe and Stable Families while Enhancing Community-Based Services
José F. Monteiro, Daniel Lewis
This workshop will demonstrate the importance of preventing maltreatment and unnecessary involvement of families with state agencies, courts, and governmental agencies. It will discuss the importance of locally based resources and child protective service partnerships with community-based organizations. It will reflect on how prevention driven intervention can reduce overall Adverse Community Experience.
Workshop Level: Foundational
NCA Accreditation Standards:
MDT (B)
FI (B)
VA (B)
3d. Victim Considerations in Sextortion Cases
Kristina Korobov, J.D,
As the world becomes more digitally connected, offenders can now commit multiple, virtual sexual assaults without ever leaving their homes. Sextortion – the use of coercion to compel a victim to engage in some form of sexual conduct – has been steadily increasing over the years, and now may involve international actors and financial components. This presentation will focus attendees on factors to consider when working with the victims traumatized by these offenses, including victim interviewing and evidence gathering, protecting victims during the court process, and addressing victim needs for physical safety and their mental health.
Workshop Level: Intermediate
NCA Accreditation Standards:
MDT (B)
CSEC (A)
FI (B)
VA (B)
3e. Calling All Allies! Developing Affirming Services for LGBTQ+ Children and Teens
Jimmy Widdifield, Jr.
Youth who are LGBTQ+ have unique needs when it comes to services. When these youth have experienced adversity and trauma, including child abuse, because of who they are authentically, it is especially important for professionals to provide services in a way that promotes youth engagement and healthy outcomes. This session will present affirming strategies and ideas that professionals can immediately use to enhance the delivery of services to LGBTQ+ youth.
Workshop Level: Foundational
NCA Accreditation Standards:
DEA (E) (F)
FI (B)
VA (B)
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