1st Quarter Newsletter

September 30, 2023

About the Florida Network of Children's Advocacy Centers

Accredited by National Children's Alliance (NCA) as the State Chapter of Florida, the Florida Network of Children's Advocacy Centers (FNCAC) is a membership organization representing the 28 Child Advocacy Centers (CAC) throughout Florida.

CACs are child-focused centers that coordinate the investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse and neglect while helping abused children heal. CACs emphasize the coordination of investigation and intervention services by bringing together a multidisciplinary team to create a child-focused approach to child abuse and neglect cases. CACs are effective, hold offenders accountable, help child victims heal, and promote best practice by all of our MDT Partners.

In addition, the FNCAC and CACs are tasked with providing technical assistance, training, education and prevention outreach to members of their local communities.

Together, the CAC Movement in Florida is positively impacting victim services to child victims throughout the state and improving outcomes for kids and their families.

FY 21/22 CAC Service & Data Report

October is National Depression Awareness Month

Check out some resources below:

Links for more information:

National Institute of Mental Health

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Stopping Technology-assisted Abuse of Rural Kids (STARK) Training December 14-15, 2023

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The Zero Abuse Project, in collaboration with the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association and FNCAC will provide FREE Stopping Technology-facilitated Abuse of Rural Kids (STARK) Training on December 14-15, 2023, virtually, for prosecutors, law enforcement, ICAC, and Protective Investigators. CLE credits are being applied for through the Florida Bar. For more information please contact Jim Jolley at jjolley@fncac.org.

To register for STARK Training, please complete the registration form here.

The agenda includes:

· Freed with a CyberTip: Fighting Child Sexual Abuse with Technology

· Online Account Search Warrants: Getting the Most with What You Have

· Everything Offenders Don’t Want You to Know About Sextortion and Other Forms of Image-Based Sexual Abuse

· Surviving the Stand: How to Testify in Child Exploitation Cases

· Trauma-Informed Approaches to Victims of Technology Facilitated Abuse

· Live Stream Platform and Server Communities Search Warrants

· Introducing Evidence in Forensic Interviews

· The Big Disconnect: Prosecutor and Forensic Interviewer Collaboration

Please share with your colleagues who may be interested in this training.

Congratulations to Alyssa Erickson on your Medical Preceptor Scholarship!

Congratulations to Alyssa Erickson, APRN, FNP-C, CPT Medical Provider,

Manatee Children’s Services, Inc., Child Advocacy Center who was awarded a medical preceptorship scholarship (through the Midwest Regional CAC and SRCAC). The scholarship includes travel, lodging and the preceptor fee.

Alyssa says:

I have been a nurse practitioner for a little over a year and a novice in child abuse has been challenging. I went from a floor RN caring for adult transplant patients to a family nurse practitioner in child maltreatment. I completed additional general pediatric hours as well as didactic training on child maltreatment to be credentialed as a child protection team provider. Since that time, I have evaluated just under 300 patients for child maltreatment. It has also been challenging being the main provider at my office. I have had great support from other team members and consulting providers; however, I must learn how to make decisions regarding child safety in circumstances where I may not have time to consult with my peers. This scholarship is a great opportunity to learn from experts in the field of child abuse as I am looking for ways to improve my history taking and assessment skills. I have had limited exposure to cases involving acute sexual assault, fractures, and abusive head trauma and would like the opportunity to advance my skills.

What do I love about CACs?

I love working with children and practice as an advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. Working at a children’s advocacy center has made me appreciate the underserved and vulnerable population. In addition, my children’s advocacy center has been supportive with advancing my skills since day one and they continue to do so.

2023 Krimes Agsinst Kids Conference

Executive Director, Luzed Cruz, opens the 2023 Krimes Against Kids Conference to over 500 registrants, speakers, and exhibitors.

Janine Kell, Sherry Kitchens, and Special Agent Terry Thomas man/woman the registration desk.

The Zero Abuse Project provided a full day of crime scene investigations training to prosecutors and law enforcement investigators. Participants commented that "The instructors were great and hope they are back next year. They presented in a knowledgeable way and allowed us to use our brains and think outside the box." and "This is the best training conference I have ever attended!!!!! Will be back and will recommend to all of my colleagues."

The Raffle Baskets were a big hit!

The 2024 Krimes Against Kids Conference is scheduled for July 24-26, 2024, at the WYNDHAM GRAND ORLANDO RESORT BONNET CREEK.

If you have additional questions about the event, please email Jim Jolley at jjolley@fncac.org.

Member Spotlight

Emerald Coast Niceville CAC re-opened on May 5th, 2023!

Kristi House

Kristi House’s work to increase community capacity in Miami-Dade County to identify and treat child traumatic stress got a big boost with a new five-year grant award from National Child Traumatic Stress Network and SAMHSA at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Kristi House will continue its “C-START” program with the goal to build agency and community-wide capacity to deliver evidence-based, culturally competent interventions for child trauma.

Community-based learning collaboratives will include trainings and ongoing practice consultation on Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Risk Reduction through Family Therapy, led by master trainers. Mini-trainings by national experts will explore trauma’s intersection with race, pride communities and immigrants/refugees. C-START – which stands for Child Severe Trauma Advocacy, Response and Treatment – is expected to train hundreds of therapists and care workers over the course of the grant. Previously in 2012-2021, Kristi House’s C-START program trained 340 mental health clinicians and care coordinators.

Resources for Parents & Families

Platforms Cheat Sheet

Looking for a way to understand the apps and games your children are using? Ace digital parenting with this one-page guide to the popular platforms your kids are on.

It gives you four key things you can do to sort out the places kids connect online and understand how to keep them safe. Learn More!

Sextortion Survivors Share Their Stories

Sextortion can have a devastating impact on victims, and it can happen to anyone. On our blog, survivors share their perspectives and advice for others who may find themselves in this situation.

Hear their voices.

Find A Safe Friend

Start the Conversation

Tell me more about what's happening.

Offer Support

I want to help. What can I do to help now?

Be a friend.

Tell your friend it gets better; help and support is available.

Link for more information

Collaboration is Key!

FNCAC Staff Partners With Zero Abuse Project!

Impacting the Child Welfare Workforce, Upstream:

The Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers (FNCAC) collaborates with many partners to bring the best possible results for children and families served by the 28 Children’s Advocacy Centers in Florida. This year, Zero Abuse Project will be conducting Stopping Technology-facilitated Abuse of Rural Kids (STARK) training December 14-15, 2023, virtually, for prosecutors and law enforcement who want to improve their knowledge and skills.

In addition, Zero Abuse Project will host a CAST Resources webinar November 8-9, 2023, to provide materials and resources for colleges, universities and communities to use to improve learning.

Find your local CAC here!

Support the FNCAC

FNCAC | (850) 671-4791 | 501 E. Tennessee St Suite B Tallahassee, FL 32308| www.fncac.org