FORENSIC INTERVIEWING OF CHILDREN

An Introduction to the Forensic Interviewing Protocol

February 20-21, 2017
 Bay College
Escanaba, MI  49829
(906) 786-5802

The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, Child Abuse Training Services, in cooperation with the Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council, Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), 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 of Children. This training will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, February 20 and conclude by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2017.

This seminar is designed for prosecuting attorneys, assistant prosecuting attorneys, CPS workers, police officers, and CAC interviewers who are involved with child abuse investigations or prosecution. 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:

 Preinterview preparation.

 Interviewer guidelines.

 Conducting a phased interview.

 Special topics/children with special needs.

 Guidelines for questioning children.

There is a $50 charge for registration & materials for this seminar for this date/location only - payable to the Delta County Prosecutors Office. Attendees are responsible for overnight accommodations, transportation, meals, and other incidental costs.

Please register early since registration is limited to 30 people.  When space at seminars is available, we welcome participation from professionals in addition to DHS CPS workers, law enforcement, and prosecutors.

Confirmation regarding seminar attendance will be sent out approximately 2 weeks prior to the seminar date.

Attendees (or their agencies) are responsible for payment for overnight rooms.