The Southwest Virginia Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is participating in National Children’s Alliance (NCA) videoconference training again this year. The training is provided through a grant from NCA and regional CAC centers. Each regional center awards programs within their region to participate in NCA net videoconferences. The Southern CAC awarded the CAC a grant to participate in forensic interview peer reviews each month. The CAC also can participate in educational trainings held twice monthly. The grant covers part of the cost for bridging the call to MEOC. The training is provided free to local agencies who attend at MEOC.  

During July, August and September the CAC staff and multidisciplinary team members participated in (3) forensic interview peer reviews and two educational calls. The educational calls during this quarter were “Introduction of the Extended Forensic Evaluation into Communities”: Presenter discussed the extended interview process, which may be useful in children who have difficulty adapting to the demands of the one-interview model and “Interviewing Developmentally Disabled Victims of Child Abuse”: Presenter discussed The ability to effectively communication with children with disabilities who are reported to be abused is critical for the investigation process. Presenter will help the practitioner find ways to accommodate children with communication barriers in a child-friendly, developmentally appropriate way. The educational calls are presented by national trainers who are considered experts in their field and are very helpful to those working with child abuse victims and their families. The CAC will continue this project until 2008 and apply again for funding in order to provide national training at a local level. November and December calls will be forensic interview peer reviews.