MACA 2026 Annual Conference Workshop Session 1
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 1 (10:30 AM – 12:00 PM)
1A. Listening to Learn: Survivor Voices Improving Practice in Child Protection
Jacquelyn Lamont, MA, and Emily Cutts, LICSW, Suffolk County DA’s Office and Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County
Abigail, Adriana, Lina, Sophia, Survivors
This educational panel brings together survivors of child sexual abuse who will share their perspectives on how system and professional responses impacted their safety, trust, and healing. Through facilitated discussion and guided reflection, participants will consider what types of protocols, policies, and specific language and conversations promote engagement, and which may unintentionally cause harm. Attendees can use these insights to best provide a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, victim-centered approach.
About the Presenters:
Since joining the Suffolk County CAC in 2021, Emily Cutts has utilized a trauma-informed approach to bridge MDT collaboration with the specialized skills required to support survivors and gather information safely. Previously, Emily was an ongoing social worker for DCF and a specialist at Big Sister Association of Greater Boston. A Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), she holds a BA in Cross-Cultural Education from UMass Amherst and an MSW from Salem State University. Emily is dedicated to survivor-centered practice and to ensuring every individual has a safe space to be heard and a compassionate path toward healing.
Jacquelyn Lamont has interviewed over two thousand children and adult survivors of physical and sexual abuse, exploitation, and domestic violence, as well as witnesses to community violence and homicide. She uses this experience to help create policies, protocols, and training that best support those affected by trauma and violent crimes. Jacquelyn has a BA in Criminal Justice and an MA in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts with a focus in Victimology and Forensic Criminology. As Director of Youth Safety and a Forensic Interviewer at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Jacquelyn is dedicated to providing a victim-centered approach, delivering proactive prevention programs, and advocating for improved systems in the field of Child Protection.
NCA Accreditation Standards: 1B, 3B, 5B, 11A
1B. Abusive Head Trauma in Children – Crime Scene to Courtroom
Bradley Graham, Senior Investigator, Washington State Attorney General’s Office
Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) is the severe and sudden injury to a child’s head and brain, often leading to permanent injury or death. The injuries are caused by using acceleration and deceleration forces, as well as blunt force trauma – both of which are not accidental. Understanding the mechanics of AHT injuries and the more common factors associated with them will assist the investigator in interviewing both witnesses and suspects.
About the Presenter:
Bradley Graham (Brad) has been in law enforcement since 1987. He retired from the Tacoma Police Department after 30 years as a Detective in the Special Assaults Unit before joining the Washington State Attorney General’s Office – Criminal Division as a Senior Investigator. He specializes in investigating child physical and sexual abuse and child death investigations, and teaches for the National Criminal Justice Training Center, Fox Valley Technical College. He has a Master of Science degree in Law & Justice from Central Washington University and is the author of the book, ‘Effective Child Abuse Investigations for the Multi-Disciplinary Teams.’
NCA Accreditation Standards: 1A, 1B, 13C
1C. Responding to Suicidality at the CAC
Lydia Johnson Grady, LMSW, and Christina Rouse, MSW, Southern Regional Child Advocacy Center (SRCAC)
Many child abuse professionals feel challenged when children make statements about suicidal thoughts or behaviors. We’ll discuss how CAC and MDT professionals can effectively respond when disclosures arise, specifically through pre-interview preparation, navigating concerning statements, and post-interview team coordination. Participants will leave with practical strategies for supporting children and families in crisis, while fostering stronger multidisciplinary collaboration.
About the Presenters:
Lydia Johnson Grady, LMSW, is a child advocacy leader with over 15 years of experience advancing multidisciplinary responses to child abuse and strengthening Children’s Advocacy Centers at the local, state, and national levels. A former CAC executive director and forensic services supervisor, Lydia brings expertise in forensic interviewing, team facilitation, and organizational leadership. She is committed to building trauma-informed systems, mentoring professionals, and strengthening coordinated community responses to protect children and support healing.
Christina Rouse, MSW, is a seasoned child advocacy professional with more than 18 years of experience in forensic interviewing, multidisciplinary team coordination, and trauma-informed practice. She has previously served in leadership and training roles supporting Child Advocacy Centers and statewide child protection initiatives. Christina is known for strengthening team systems, elevating best practices, and improving outcomes for children and families impacted by abuse.
NCA Accreditation Standards: 1B, 2B, 3B, 5B
1D. Learning by Doing: Simulation-Based Approaches to Trauma-Informed Practice for MDTs
Kerri Bergendahl, LICSW, Deidre Hussey, PsyD, and Jessica Wozniak, PsyD, Child Advocacy Training and Support Center (CATS), Baystate Health
Join the Child Advocacy Training & Support (CATS) Center team to explore what it can look like when Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) and their multidisciplinary team (MDT) partners provide children and families with a trauma-informed response. There will be a brief overview of NCTSN’s 12 Core Concepts for Understanding Traumatic Stress Responses in Children and Families, followed by a demonstration of UMSL’s FORECAST Model. This model utilizes Problem-Based Learning simulations with a “choose your own adventure” style of training, which allows participants to see the impact of decisions they make on the child, family, and multidisciplinary team. Each FORECAST simulation is a full-day training, so we are choosing one of our favorite modules to share with you. The FORECAST model is interactive and requires audience engagement!
About the Presenters:
Kerri Bergendahl, LICSW, is the Program Coordinator for The Child Advocacy Training and Support Center, a nationwide training grant funded by NCTSN. In this position, she provides multidisciplinary team trainings for children’s advocacy centers, highlighting the importance of providing a trauma-informed team response. She is a certified Trauma Organizational Coach, and a national trainer in Foundations for OutReach through Experiential Child Advocacy Studies Training (FORECAST) and NCTSN’s Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma.
Deidre Hussey, PsyD, is a Clinical Program Manager at Baystate Health and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School-Baystate (UMMS). In her role, she oversees clinical programming, student training, and implementation of trauma-focused evidence-based treatments. She is trained in a variety of therapy models and is a national trainer in TF-CBT, Foundations for OutReach through Experiential Child Advocacy Studies Training (FORECAST), and NCTSN’s Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma.
Jessica Wozniak, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and the Clinical Research and Development Manager at Baystate Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry in Springfield, MA, and an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate (UMMS). In her role, she oversees community-based projects, clinical research, and training, including oversight of all projects funded by SAMHSA/NCTSN. She is the Director of the Child Advocacy Training and Support Center, a national training and consultation center for Children’s Advocacy Centers.
NCA Accreditation Standards: 1A, 1B ,5B
1E. Shifting the Narrative: A Collaborative Approach to Sibling Sexual Abuse
Kelly Hagenbaugh, Clinical Supervisor, Creative Health Services
Intrafamilial sexual abuse, particularly between siblings, presents unique challenges for multidisciplinary team (MDT) members working in child welfare, mental health, and the legal system. Unlike cases of abuse involving adults or non-family perpetrators, sibling sexual abuse involves complex family dynamics, developmental considerations, and treatment challenges. This training provides an in-depth understanding of childhood sexual behavior, best practices for assessment, intervention strategies, and guidance for family reunification when appropriate.
About the Presenter:
Kelly Hagenbaugh is a Licensed Social Worker with over 17 years of experience in the field of trauma treatment. Kelly works at Creative Health Services, a behavioral mental health agency that partners with their local Child Advocacy Center (Mission Kids CAC) to provide trauma counseling on-site, as well as starting and supervising the Promoting Safe Behaviors Program that works with youth with problematic or illegal sexual behavior. Additionally, Kelly currently works with the University of Oklahoma through the National Center on Sexual Behavior in Youth (NCSBY) as a member of their clinical training team, providing clinical training, consultation, and support to YWPSB program sites across the country.
NCA Accreditation Standards: 1B, 3B, 5B
