This intensive three-hour advanced course provides a focused environment for experienced forensic interviewers to refine and strengthen their practice in child sex trafficking cases. Through expert-led peer review, participants will critically analyze the structure, clarity, and defensibility of their forensic interviews, identify areas for improvement, and implement best practices to enhance the quality and integrity of their work. Emphasis is placed on trauma-informed interviewing techniques, legally sound documentation, and effective communication of complex case details to multidisciplinary partners and within judicial proceedings. Participants will leave with strengthened skills to ensure interviews are developmentally appropriate, victim-centered, and defensible in court.

Learn the best approach with children who are alleged victims of child abuse in the initial phases of a case, after a concern has been identified. Develop the basic skills and techniques necessary to engage a child in such a way as to minimize suggestibility but still provide support, beyond what is taught in a First Responder Training. Review best practices in identification of a concern and learn to engage these children in a way that maximizes positive case outcomes and minimizes potential behaviors that can hurt cases.

This six-hour facilitated session aims to enhance collaboration across social services, behavioral health, and justice system partners. Aligned with the Nez Perce Tribe’s focus on coordinated, culturally responsive care, the session addresses common challenges in cross-system communication, role alignment, and engagement. Through guided discussion and practical application, participants will develop strategies to improve alignment, enhance communication, and strengthen engagement with justice system and service provider partners. The session emphasizes coordinated, team-based responses that better support individuals and families impacted by substance use, trauma, and co-occurring conditions.

Missing child investigations demand immediate, disciplined crime scene assessment where early decisions can determine case direction. Examine the Locard Principle and analyze how environmental conditions alter, degrade, or preserve evidence. Evaluate the impact of first responder actions on scene integrity and recognize how training influences contamination, preservation, and documentation. Assess the legal authority of search warrants and consent in guiding lawful processing. Identify essential equipment and apply appropriate collection procedures for blood, footwear, tire impressions, points of entry, and vehicles. Integrate these factors to strengthen forensic strategy and protect the evidence-based foundation of the case.

Test your community’s response in conducting an initial investigation, search and canvass activities for a missing or abducted child scenario occurring on tribal lands. Employ strategies and responses in mitigating and resolving the emergency. Participate in a multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional tabletop exercise to build cohesiveness with tribal, state, local and federal partners when responding to an emergency.

Join other child-serving professionals to create a plan of action for preventing child sexual abuse of youth in your care. Learn the signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse, mandated reporter and stakeholder responsibilities. Identify strengths and weaknesses of current prevention practices, and develop an action plan, using the Strategic Prevention Dashboard, for your organization. This course is open to all members of child serving organizations such as preschool, after-school care, summer camps, church groups, athletic associations or others responsible for the care of minors.

Understand, recognize, and investigate cases involving missing and abducted children. Determine scope and scale issues and how to manage a missing or abducted child case. Explore crime scene evidence collection and processing, profiling suspects, and legal issues, including search warrants and interrogation related to a missing or abducted child.

This presentation will provide community members with critical knowledge and strategies to help prevent child abductions and respond effectively when they occur in tribal communities. Participants will learn to distinguish the dynamics of different types of abductions, from those committed by strangers, acquaintances, family members, and child sex traffickers and understand the motivations behind each. Attendees will discover practical, culturally appropriate prevention strategies they can implement and share within their communities to keep children safe. Additionally, the session will provide an overview of the AMBER Alert activation process, highlighting the roles of partners, stakeholders, and resources available to assist law enforcement and tribal communities when responding to these incidents.

Provide participants with the knowledge and tools to better serve victims of crime. The goal of this conference is to provide examples of positive victim assistance programs as well as resources for multidisciplinary approaches to serving victims of crime. Attend this conference to build upon your services and systems to best fit the needs of our communities.

Child Sex Trafficking (CST) is a crime that is hidden yet in plain sight. First responders are often the first system members to make contact with a CST victim. A CST victim has been heavily groomed for system contact, is fearful of their trafficker, and often not forthcoming about their exploitive situation. Deconstruct the crime of CST and identify common scenarios in which you may come in contact with a CST victim. Discover victim-centered contact practices you can implement which are specific to CST victims. Recognize how to secure vital evidence which may only be available during your initial contact with the victim. Practice group exercises and develop contact and response plans to common scenarios you may encounter.