Forensic Interviewing:
The Next Step

November 30 - December 2, 2016
The English Inn, Eaton Rapids 
(Just South of Lansing)

Please note: this is a 3-day training.

The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, Child Abuse Training Services (CATS) Program, in cooperation with the Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council, Department of Human Services (DHS), and Governor's Task Force on Children's Justice (GTF), is pleased to present a regional, cross-professional Specialized Child Abuse Training seminar on the topic of Forensic Interviewing: The Next Step. This training will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 30 and conclude by 5:00p.m.on Friday, December 2, 2016.  

*This seminar is designed for prosecutors, CPS workers, police officers, and interviewers who will be conducting interviews at a CAC. The training is designed to increase your understanding of the primary features of forensic interviewing and provide information to enhance your interviewing skills. The Forensic Interviewing training provided by the Child Abuse Training Services (CATS) department within PAAM is the only DHS and GTF approved Forensic Interviewing training within the state.

Michigan’s Forensic Interviewing Protocol was developed in conjunction with the DHS and the GTF. The goal of a forensic interview is to obtain a statement from a child in a developmentally sensitive, unbiased, and truth-seeking manner that will support accurate and fair decision-making in the criminal justice and child welfare systems. Topics to be covered include: (but not limited to)

• The Forensic/Phased Interview: Preparing for and conducting Forensic Interviews
• Understanding Medical Abuse
• Preparing yourself for court
• What your prosecutor needs
• In-depth report writing from actual case/interview transcript
• Individual (mock) interviewing practice

Please find enclosed a copy of the registration form for the seminar. There is no registration fee for this seminar, however, if an attendee fails to complete the entire three day training, no credit will be given and a fee may be assessed to their county or organization.

Hotel reservations should be made directly with The English Inn at 517-663-2500. You must mention that you are with the Prosecuting Attorneys Association to receive the rate of $75.00 per night single occupancy.  Rooms will be only be held in the block until November 16, 2016.  Attendees (or their agencies) are responsible for payment for overnight accommodations, transportation, meals, and other incidental costs.

If you would like a copy of the registration form to fill out & fax in, please contact Jennifer Doerr at doerrj@michigan.gov.