Community Education

Children’s Expo and Public Safety Day:

The CAC conducts public awareness campaigns and organizes the Annual Children’s Expo & Safety Fair every fall, bringing together hundreds of children and their families in a fun-filled atmosphere to learn about safety issues.

 

New York State Mandated Reporter Training:

Training on the identification and reporting of child abuse. It is approved by the NYS Education Department and is required by all licensed professionals involved in reporting child abuse and neglect. New York State recognizes that certain professionals are especially equipped to fill the important role of mandated reporter. Mandated Reporters are required to report when, in their professional capacity, they are presented with reasonable cause to suspect child abuse and maltreatment.

 

Less is More:

Designed to give Mandated Reporters the tools to optimally respond when a child discloses or indicates that he or she may be a victim of child abuse. The goals are to:

  • Support the safety and well-being of the child
  • Clarify the role of the mandated reporter
  • Provide response procedures

 

First Responder: Understanding and Responding to Child Abuse Allegations:

The goal of training is to ensure best practice first response in child abuse cases for all first responders.

Responding to child abuse allegations is a challenging undertaking. During the investigation it can be difficult to find the balance of child safety, while minimizing the potential for negative effects. This training breaks down common misconceptions and explains correct procedures. This ensures that children receive the help they need, in a timely and sensitive manner. 

 

Protecting Our Children: Lessons Learned from Sex Offenders
English & Spanish

The workshop educates adults about the warning signs of sexual abuse using information provided by child sex offenders. The program is taught by trained Prosecutors, Investigators, Advocates and Clinicians who have direct experience working with child abuse victims and offenders.

Topics include:

  • How and why adults sexually abuse children.
  • Common “grooming tactics” used by offenders.
  • Practical child and family “rules” for safety.
  • Addressing the growing number of offenders and “predators” living in our community.

 

Online Safety –for parents and/or children

Keeping children safe is more challenging today than in years past.  The Internet has changed the way we live. Children and teenagers benefit from being online, but they can also become targets of crime and exploitation and need to learn how to safeguard themselves.  Parents need to balance awareness of kids’ online activities while respecting their privacy. Parents and educators need to work together and stay up to date in technology to best protect our children.

Training topics are customized to the audience and address cyber bullying, sexting, online privacy and digital citizenship.

 

Identifying and Supporting Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth Trafficking for Child Serving Professionals

  • Part I: Identifying and Supporting Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC): Part One of this training promotes awareness of CSEC and provides foundational knowledge of youth trafficking for child serving professionals. This training will help those who work with children:
    • Recognize that CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children) youth are victims of crime and survivors of abuse.
    • Identify the red flags of CSEC and child trafficking and what makes youth vulnerable to these crimes.
    • Use trauma-informed principles in interactions with CSEC or trafficked youth.
    • Engage CSEC youth in health and safety based conversations regarding their sexual experiences.
  • Part II: Youth Trafficking for Child Serving Professionals:  Part Two of the training builds on the foundational knowledge gained in Part One and reinforces practical skills for working with survivors and youth trafficking.  This training will help child serving professionals:
    • Describe and discuss CSEC and youth trafficking with colleagues and vulnerable youth.
    • Use basic engagement techniques to enhance interactions with CSEC and trafficked youth.
    • Explain how the stages of change model can be applied to CSEC and trafficked youth.
    • Develop individualized safety plans to support CSEC and trafficked youth emotionally and physically.
    • Recognize vicarious trauma and its impact on professionals who work with CSEC and trafficked youth.

       *These trainings can be delivered individually or as a pair.