OPENING SESSION

• Understanding the Map of Child Abuse

The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children - Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families has begun to view Child Abuse Prevention from a more ecological perspective. It has also conducted a meta analysis of the current and past research surrounding this new direction, and will use this workshop to (1) update the participants upon new and exciting ways to organize social services to prevent child abuse, (2) instruct participants how to utilize GIS software to identify and distribute resources, and (3) invite a collaborative discussion in order to encourage organizations to work together to fight child abuse in our communities by sharing information.

Presenters:
Rita Soza, Ph.D., The Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families- Part of the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
Vjolca Capri, M.S., The Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families

THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES TO HEALING TRACK

• Treating Traumatized Youth

Learn practical techniques when working with abused children. This workshop will first help you to understand the effects of abuse, learn how to incorporate knowledge of child’s development in treatment and become familiar with empirically –supported techniques in treating abused children. The hope is to learn how to help heal the child and prevent them from becoming abusers.

Presenter: Jordana R. Reid MA

• The How and Why of Play Therapy

  Children communicate their thoughts & feelings more naturally through play than verbal communication. As the child plays, a therapist can begin to recognize themes and patterns. In this workshop, participants will be able to identify and understand the power of play and how it helps a child identify and control his or her feelings. Participants will also learn the use of ACT and Choices- the natural consequences of their actions

  Presenters:
  Jane Robinson, LMHC, RPT-S
  Roxanne Grobbel, JD, LCSW, RPT

• Family Constellations

  The family constellation is the main technique for revealing the hidden dynamics in a family so they can be worked through and healed. “We are all born in a family as part of the “family soul”. When wounds/scars of past generations are not healed, the future generation unconsciously may take on that burden, out of love and loyalty”. Participants in this workshop will learn how Systemic Family Constellation works at diminishing the unconscious impulses that produce unwanted, destructive behaviors. This technique is widely used in Europe and becoming more popular in the United States.
  
  Presenter:
  Carla Van Walsum Ph.D. c LSHC

CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN TRACK

• Exploited Children

  Every year thousands of children become victims of crime- whether it’s kidnapping, violent attacks, or sexual abuse. In this session participants will discuss the types of child prostitution, issues relating to victims of child prostitution, and learn how to better protect children on the internet. They will learn the power of a victim impact statement, the law, appropriate therapeutic intervention to assist child prostitution victims, and resources and referral options available to providers and their clients.

  Presenters:
  Twiler Smith Victims Specialist, FBI
  Daliah Weiss Esq. Special Victims Unit, State Attorney’s Office
  Susan Newcomer, National Center for missing & Exploited Children

• Human Trafficking

  Human trafficking is modern day slavery and is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. The workshop will include discussions on recognizing signs of human trafficking, as well as the community response to trafficking from a global, national, state and local perspective. Participants will also learn about law enforcement, legal and social service approaches to assist victims of human trafficking and valuable community resources that can be utilized by agencies when faced with a case of human trafficking.

  Presenters:
  Brandy Macaluso, MSW Crime Victim Practitioner
  Susan Larson Office of the Attorney General State of Florida
  Vimala Mongoli Esq., Catholic Charities, Immigration Project

• Shedding Light on Teen Dating Violence

  Teenagers often experience violence in dating relationships and it crosses all racial, economic and social lines. In this workshops participants will understand developmental tasks of adolescents, be able to identify warning signs of teen dating violence and acquire therapeutic interventions/techniques
  
  Presenters:
  Jennifer Jewell M.S. Human Services Faculty Kaplan University

SOCIAL SERVICE TRACK

• Immigration Law: Communicating the Facts

  Participants will learn about immigration laws and benefits available to victims of domestic violence, victims of violent crime and juvenile court dependent children. Participants will learn to identify basic immigration documents necessary to live and work in the United States. Finally participants will learn about employment-related immigration issues, including the basics of complying with I-9 requirements and employer obligations with regards to obtaining, verifying and reviewing work authorization documents.

  Presenters:
  John A. Foley Esq. Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
  Shane O’Meara Esq, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County

• Motivation Interviewing: Engaging Resistant Clients

  Participants will be introduced to the Principles and Strategies of Motivational Interviewing. Motivational Interviewing has gained worldwide acceptance as an Evidenced based Practice with a diversity of populations and presenting problems. This presentation will focus on the Motivational Interviewing strategies to lower resistance, engage clients and increase the probability of change.

  Presenters:
  David E. Duresky Author, National Speaker and Trainer

• Understanding Family Dynamics and the Process of Disclosure in Child Abuse & Neglect Cases

  Child abuse occurs in all segments of our society. In this workshop participants learn about family dynamics and the impact the family has on the child when allegations of abuse arise. Participants will also gain knowledge on child disclosure process and research about child disclosure. The workshop will also address why children recant allegations of abuse and neglect and will have the opportunity to review actual cases.
  
  Presenters:
  Linda Faroni, Forensic Specialist with The Department of Health/Children’s Medical Services.

MENTAL HEALTH TRACK

• Building Resilient Young Children

  Promoting young children's resilience should start as early as possible and has the potential to positively impact a child for life! This session explores the opportunities available to foster parents, birth parents and other child welfare professionals for building the protective factors and resilience of infants, toddlers and young children in foster care. An evidence-based and strength-based model for building the resilience of young children is presented. Participants will have ample opportunity to participate in guided discussion and activities that will reinforce the material presented. A DECA assessment checklist (a standardized, norm-referenced assessment of protective factors) will be available for participants to complete on an infant or young child in their life.

  Presenters:
  Deborah Alleyne, MS, Ed. National Trainer for The Devereux Center for Resilient Children at
  Heartland for Children in Bartow, Florida

• Socio-Emotional and Neuropsychological Regulation in Infants of Depressed Mothers

Developmental psychophysiology recognizes that both biological factors and social factors interact during development. Participants will learn the biological and socio-emotional factors that influence the development of an infant thru early childhood and how maternal psychopathology influences infant and childhood development. A series of studies that we have conducted will be presented that examine mother-infant bonding, physiological and emotional development in the context of feeding and play interactions.

Presenters:
Nancy A. Jones Ph.D. Associate Professor, FAU
Research Area: Developmental, Behavioral Neuroscience

• Managing Aggression in School

  Aggression in school is on the rise! This workshop will include discussions on the biological and psychological factors that influence aggression, steps schools and other agencies might take to proactively manage aggression, and strategies to assist adults and youth who might be the targets of aggression. Strategies to expand the social and emotional skills of students acting aggressively will also be discussed.

  Presenter:
  Rick Lewis Training Coordinator, Department of Safe Schools

SURVIVOR TRACK

• The Many Faces of Homelessness

  Homelessness does not discriminate. Contrary to the stereotype of men sleeping in doorways or pushing overloaded shopping carts with their worldly belongings, families are quickly comprising a large percentile of the homeless population in Florida. No one should have to call a car, abandoned building, or a park bench home, especially a child. Listen to the inspiring story and original song that was composed by this young person, once a homeless child who shares his journey into adulthood.

  Presenters:
  Rita Clark, Miami Coalition for the Homeless
  Luis Martinez

• In Her Own Words - Her Story

  Back by popular demand! During this workshop participants will hear the very personal testimony of Charlotte Wilkins. Her story is one of great triumph. She will tell how faith can make a difference and change a person’s life. Her story will help to educate professional what they can do differently, the right questions to ask and signs of things they might otherwise miss that can make a difference.

  Presenter:
  Charlotte Wilkins-Minister

• Teen Violence in Schools and on the Internet and
  Question and Answer time with The Keynote Tina Meier

  In this day and age of computers, there is a great need for resources for parent, educators and children for staying safe online. In this workshop Detective John Young educate about the dangers teenager face at school, on the internet, and on cell phones. Thanks to modern day technology, the influence from others does not stop when teens leave school. Dangers are not only physical but also include peer pressure through photographs, text messages and Internet postings. Attendees will be made aware of actual cases of cyber bullying and will be informed bow to spot signs and combat it. Also present will be Keynote Speaker Tina Meier for question and answers her own personal experience with cyber bullying and the loss of her daughter.

  Presenters:
  Detective John Young, Delray Beach Police Department
  Detective Steve Chin-Que Palm Beach County Gang Task Force
  Tina Meier (Tina Meier will have a question and answer period for the last 30 minutes of the workshop.)

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRACK

• Silent Victims: Understanding the Impact of Domestic Violence on Children

  Domestic violence affects every member of the family, including children. Family violence creates a home environment where children live in constant fear. In this workshop participants will learn about the common behavioral and developmental effects of childhood exposure to domestic violence as well as local resources that are available to help children exposed to domestic violence.

  Presenter:
  Dr. Laura Finley - Founder and Director of Center for Living and Teaching Peace

• Impact of Media on Youth Violence

  Teens face pressures to conform to societal norms from multiple sources in our society; parents, schools, peers, religion and media. Most people state they are not impacted by media, they just ignore it. This is difficult to do when we are exposed to 3,000 advertisements per day, spend 2 years of our lives watching television commercials and advertisers spend almost 2 billion dollars per year to sell products. This workshop will explore the way youth are molded into gender norms through film, television, commercials and the music industry impacting the way they interact in interpersonal relationships.

  Presenter:
  Jennifer Rey - National Certified Trainer for Domestic Violence Competency

• Navigating Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Issues in Family Court

  Nothing can be more frustrating than when a victim feels victimized once again by a system that is suppose to protect. This session will help Advocates to understand the rights of victims in family courts. Familiarizing Advocates with the options available to victims in domestic violence, family and juvenile court system. Inform advocates what resource are available to victims in the court system.

  Presenters:
  Kathryn Oleksy Esq. Supervising Attorney, Domestic Violence Project, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
  Vicky Tucci, Esq. Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Former Director of the Guardian Ad Litem Program for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County Florida