This live virtual training will take place July 17, 19, 24, and 26 from 12:00pm-4:00pm EDT with Ashley Fiore, MSW, LCSW. This will be an interactive and participatory training experience with pre-work and action period assignments that build participants’ skills at implementing AF-CBT. This training has been approved for 14 CEs through NASW and NBCC.

Attendees should have an active caseload appropriate for AF-CBT and be ready to apply the model. Supervisors are welcome to attend training. If supervisors are not carrying their own active AF-CBT cases, we will work with them to meet the training requirements.
Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT; www.afcbt.org), is an intervention to improve family relationships for those experiencing high conflict/coercion, harsh/punitive discipline, child physical abuse, and/or child behavior problems.

Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT) is a trauma-informed, evidence-based intervention designed to improve the relationship between children and their caregivers by addressing individual and family problems relating to: 
     • Family conflicts   
     • Behavior problems, including physical aggression
     • Anger and verbal aggression, including emotional abuse
     • Harsh physical discipline, physical aggression, or child physical abuse, or
     • Child trauma-related symptoms secondary to any of the above

These patterns may be shown by an individual caregiver or a child/adolescent, and/or by the family.   Therefore, AF-CBT targets the caregiver, child/adolescent, and the larger family context. 

AF-CBT involves three phases of treatment:
     1) Engagement and Psychoeducation, 2) Individual skills building, 3) Family applications.

Who is Appropriate for AF-CBT?
AF-CBT is appropriate for a broad range of families. The following general criteria have been developed to facilitate the identification of families who may benefit from this intervention.

BACKGROUND CRITERIA
     • A child, age 5-17, can participate now or soon
     • A caregiver (e.g., biological, adoptive, foster, or kin) can participate now or soon
     • Both caregiver and child have an adequate capacity or repertoire to learn/benefit from AF-CBT
CLINICAL CRITERIA
     • The Family has frequent conflict(s) and/or arguments OR
     • A Caregiver shows anger (hostility), uses physical force/discipline (coercion), and/or has allegation/history of child physical abuse OR
     • A Child shows anger, has behavior problems (e.g., defiance, aggression, explosiveness), has trauma symptoms/PTSD after physical discipline/abuse, and/or has prior exposure to harsh discipline/physical abuse
A case is eligible if ALL 3 Background Criteria and 1 Clinical Criterion are met.

Objectives:

1. Describe the intervention model and its content to families in a manner that engages and motivates treatment participation.

2. Implement specific techniques to decrease parent and child aggression, family conflict, and child PTSD symptoms related to physical violence (e.g., complete no-force agree-ment, safety planning, imaginal exposure).

3. Initiate discussions about abusive/aggressive experiences with children and caregivers and follow up with social skills training, social support planning, positive family commu-nication, problem-solving routines, and child behavior management training.

Providers
Prospective AF-CBT trainees must be mental health professionals with a Master's degree or higher. Trainees are asked to commit to implementing AF-CBT with at least 2 families during the course of the training year so they should have an active caseload ready to apply the model. 
AF-CBT should be conducted by individuals who have been formally trained in the model and who are familiar with the content, methods, assessments, and fidelity tools that are required to ensure effective implementation.

Data Collection: This training is offered at a greatly reduced cost. Participants are required to submit monthly data on clients served. More information will be provided.

Pre-Requisite:
There is a free 2.5 hour pre-requisite video course, “Foundations of AF-CBT” which must be completed prior to training. You may access this here  https://learn.nctsn.org/enrol/... 

CE’s are provided for the pre-requisite course through NCTSN.org. Please send your certificate documenting completion to Jami Bolton, jbolon@nca-online.org

There is a cap of 50 attendees for this training. You must be paid in full to count toward the participation cap. It is strongly recommended you pay with credit card to ensure your spot is secure. If you plan to pay by check, you must email leadershipconference@nca-online.org to let us know you are sending a check. The check must be received by July 12, 2024. 

If registration is full, this means that our capacity has been met. Please email leadershipconference@nca-online.org and we will add you to the waiting list. 

The cost for the training is $450 and includes 4 training days, 12 consultation calls, and the AF-CBT Session Guide, Third Edition, Revised. A Spanish language session guide is available upon request.  You may use NCA grant funds for this training. Your spot will not be reserved until payment is received. If you are paying by check, please mail ASAP to ensure your spot. 

To pay by check, select "check" under payment method during check out. After checking out, please save your invoice or email confirmation. 

Mail your check and invoice, payable to National Children's Alliance, to:

National Children's Alliance P.O. Box 71477 Washington, DC 20024 

Your name and AF-CBT must be on the check memo or on a note with your check, otherwise it will not be approved. Do not mail checks to the former NCA office address, please use the PO Box listed above. 

Join NCA for quarterly discussion calls to exchange ideas with other CACs working with military partners. Join us to share about your collaboration with military partners and learn what other CACs are doing to strengthen services for military families. Each call will include opportunity for highlighting successful practices, discussing challenges, and sharing ideas for improving CAC-military service coordination.  

Calls will take place the second Thursday of January, April, July, and October 2-3pm ET. All CACs are welcome to join calls when they can (attendance at all calls is not required). Please note that calls are live events and will not be recorded. 

Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) stand at the forefront in identifying and addressing the distinctive needs of children who have endured commercial sexual exploitation. Yet, conventional treatment practices often fall short in providing adequate care for this population. Effectively recognizing, engaging, and treating patient-victims of commercial sexual exploitation of a child (CSEC) demands creativity and collaboration among healthcare providers.

This presentation offers a multifaceted, interdisciplinary exploration of the implications of CAC involvement for this population. Through a compelling case study of a child who experienced sexual exploitation, the presenters will illustrate a nuanced approach to engaging a patient-victim. The session will encompass an overview of observable indicators for providers to recognize a child potentially experiencing sexual exploitation, effective strategies for building trust and rapport, defining acute and follow-up care, delineating the process of evaluation at a CAC, and adapting clinic procedures to enhance engagement and rapport-building. Throughout the session, attendees will also become acquainted with the Stages of Change model and its application to the CSEC population, emphasizing the importance of continuity of care and sustained engagement.

Description: This 3-hour training will provide mental health professionals with an understanding of telehealth delivery of evidence-based trauma-focused treatment for children and adolescents. Topics covered will include: (1) specific tailoring of trauma-focused treatment for a telehealth delivery format, (2), demonstration of how to utilize electronic resources to deliver trauma-focused treatment via telehealth and (3) procedures and workflow considerations for telehealth delivery trauma-focused treatment. This training has been approved for 2.5 CEs.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to describe modifications needed to implement trauma-focused treatment for children and adolescents via telehealth
2. Participants will be able to understand the ethics surrounding distance counseling
3. Participants will be able to describe techniques and resources to provide engaging trauma treatment for children via telehealth

Hill Day will take place on June 4th, 2024. This session on May 29th at 4pm ET is geared towards those interested in attending and learning more! Educating and advocating our elected officials in Washington, D.C., on CACs and the kids we serve is critical to helping them better understand the role they play in helping kids and families heal. This Hill Day prep session with NCA’s Government Affairs Department will allow participants to discuss current legislative proposals impacting CACs and help them prepare for their upcoming meetings with their U.S. representatives and U.S. senators.

This live training will take place May 16, 17, 23, and August 20, 2024, from 11:00am - 5:00pm EST with Ashley Fiore, LCSW. There will be 18 CEs by NASW and NBCC. This will be an interactive and participatory virtual training experience with pre-work and action period assignments that build participants’ skills at implementing TF-CBT with children and families with fidelity and clinical competence. Clinicians will receive a training packet which will be mailed to them, private online access to over 800 downloadable clinical resources for TF-CBT, access to a private TF-CBT Clinical Discussion Forum with other participants and includes 12 group consultation calls.  

*Note: Training packets will be mailed on 5/6/24 to participants who have paid their registration in full and have provided their mailing address below. If we do not receive this information by 5/6/24, you will be responsible for downloading and printing these materials for yourself from the handouts.

Pre-Training Assignments are due May 9, 2024 Note: It is important that participants complete all Pre-Training Assignments to maximize their learning during training, which will focus on applying those concepts. The first of 12 group consultation calls will be held Thursday May 9, 2024, 2:00pm-3:00pm EST.

Attendees should have an active caseload appropriate for TF-CBT and be ready to apply the model. Supervisors are welcome to attend training; however, if they are not carrying their own active TF-CBT cases, they will not meet criteria to seek national certification.

There is a cap of 50 attendees for this training. You must be paid in full to count toward the participation cap. It is strongly recommended you pay with credit card to ensure your spot is secure. If you plan to pay by check, you must email Jami Bolton, jbolton@nca-online.org, to let us know you are sending a check. The check must be received by May 3, 2024.

If registration is full, this means that our capacity has been met. Please email jbolton@nca-online.org, and we will add you to the waiting list. 

The cost for the training is $450 and includes 12 consultation calls. You may use NCA grant funds for this training. Your spot will not be reserved until payment is received. If you are paying by check, please mail ASAP to ensure your spot. 

To pay by check, select "check" under payment method during check out. After checking out, please save your invoice or email confirmation. 

Mail your check and invoice, payable to National Children's Alliance, to:

National Children's Alliance P.O. Box 71477 Washington, DC 20024 

Your name and TF-CBT Intro must be on the check memo or on a note with your check, otherwise it will not be approved. Do not mail checks to the former NCA office address, please use the PO Box listed above.

The Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) training is appropriate for Master’s level therapists and above or those who are working on a Master’s degree and providing mental health services under the supervision of a licensed professional. TF-CBT has more data (25 + randomized trials and a number of quasi-experimental studies) to support the model’s effectiveness in helping children and families overcome the impact of child abuse and trauma than any other therapy model available. TF-CBT has been recognized by the federal government as a model program and is included on numerous websites for evidence-based practices. 

At the conclusion of this TF-CBT training, participants will be able to: 

•  Evaluate which cases would benefit from TF-CBT and successfully engage families in treatment
•  Create session agendas and structure TF-CBT sessions to meet fidelity standards
•  Explain how to integrate gradual exposure into every TF-CBT session
• Support children and teens in developing skills that enhance coping and symptom reduction in the aftermath of trauma 
• Support caregivers in developing coping skills and parenting strategies for responding to children’s therapeutic needs in the aftermath of trauma 
• Apply and implement the PRACTICE components of TF-CBT with families impacted by trauma 

Upon completion of the virtual training, participants will have most of the requirements for formal certification in TF-CBT (obtained through the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy National Therapist Certification Program). The Virtual Training and group calls count toward the requirements for national certification in TF-CBT. However, a few additional guidelines for national certification must be met as established by the developers. (For more information, please see www.tfcbt.org). Training participants are required to have a web camera (i.e., on a laptop computer or cell phone) in order to participate in the TF-CBT 4-day training via web-platform. 

The training will be offered over 4 days including:

3-day Learning Session 1: 

Thursday, May 16, 2024: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT  

Friday, May 17, 2024: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT  

Thursday, May 23, 2024: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT 

1-day Learning Session 2:

Tuesday August 20, 2024: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT

Pre-Requisite: TF-CBTWeb *please note that there is a $35 fee that is NOT covered as part of your registration and which is paid to the Medical University of South Carolina through TF-CBTWeb.

Completion of TF-CBT Web2.0 is required as a prerequisite to the virtual TF-CBT training and proof of completion should be submitted to Jami Bolton at NCA 3 days prior to Day 1 of the virtual training.  Email your certificate of completion to jbolton@nca-online.org 

Registration:

To register for this training, you will need an NCA Engage account. If you do not have one, visit NCA Engage Getting Started page for step-by-step instructions to request an NCA Engage account. The account request form will include a field that asks for an Organizational ID number. The Organizational ID number will inform us that the person signing into NCA Engage is employed at or partnered with a member organization. Please email membership@nca-online.org if you need your Organizational ID. If you are not employed at or partnered with a member organization, please enter MH24 as your Organizational ID for non-member access to NCA Engage. Non-member access will provide access to the training. 

 ** As a reminder, if you are paying by check, your training registration is incomplete, and your spot will not be reserved, until your check is received and is manually approved by our staff. Your name and TF-CBT Intro must be on the check memo or on a note with your check, otherwise it will not be approved. Do not mail checks to the former NCA office address, please use the PO Box listed above. 

If you need any disability accommodations for this training, please reach out to Jami Bolton, jbolton@nca-online.org

By registering for this training, I agree to the following:

-I will complete all Pre-training assignments and email proof of my certificate of completion for TF-CBT Web 2.0 to Jami Bolton, jbolton@nca-online.org

-I will provide brief monthly data regarding my caseload to meet funder requirements; this enables NCA to offer training at a reduced rate for trainees

-Successful completion of TF-CBT Training includes: participating in all training activities, including didactic portion and interactive breakout activities and discussions; having my camera on during training and consultation calls; remaining in a stationary, private space during training and consultation; attending and participating in at least 75% of all scheduled group consultation calls (9 of 12), presenting my own TF-CBT treatment case during group consultation at least once. 

 For any questions or concerns related to this training, or your participation, please contact Jami Bolton, jbolton@nca-online.org

Join NCA to learn about Part 2 of Sexual Violence Prevention for Children with Disabilities and Support for Survivors of Abuse: Recommendations and Best Practices for Practitioners and Family Members on April 30, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. EDT. This one-hour webinar will be presented by Kate Brendli Brown, Ph.D.; Ruth Brown, Ph.D.; Margaret DeRamus, MS, CCC-SLP;  and Morgan Parlier, MSW, LCSW. Last year's webinar on this topic was very popular and well-attended, so we've invited the presenters back to share more information. If you missed Part 1 last year, it's available on-demand, but you do not need to have attended Part 1 to join us for Part 2.

National Children’s Alliance is pleased to offer members free training about Financial Management Practices for Managing Federal Grants.  This three-part training series will provide organizations with an understanding of effective grants management practices and Federal compliance requirements. The content over the three trainings will cover pre-award and post-award activities such as: 

planning and budgeting practices;
internal financial controls;
tracking and reporting expenses; and
policies and procedures necessary to help ensure Federal grant compliance.
 

These trainings will offer practical strategies and recommendations best suited for small and midsized organizations. 

Training #1 - Thursday, April 25, 2024 - 1-3pmET / 10am-12pmPT

Training #2 - Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 1-3pmET / 10am-12pmPT

Training #3 - Tuesday, June 18, 2024 - 2:30-4:30pmET / 11:30am-1:30pmPT

Note:  These sessions are open and available to ALL NCA Members.  These sessions will be recorded and on-demand versions provided shortly after the live sessions have completed.  

This live training will take place April 16, 17, 19th and July 23 2024, from 11:00am - 5:00pm EST with Ashley Fiore, LCSW. There will be 18 CEs by NASW and NBCC. This will be an interactive and participatory virtual training experience with pre-work and action period assignments that build participants’ skills at implementing TF-CBT with children and families with fidelity and clinical competence. Clinicians will receive a training packet which will be mailed to them, private online access to over 800 downloadable clinical resources for TF-CBT, access to a private TF-CBT Clinical Discussion Forum with other participants and includes 12 group consultation calls.  

*Note: Training packets will be mailed on 4/5/24, to participants who have paid their registration in full and have provided their mailing address below. If we do not receive this information by 4/5/24, you will be responsible for downloading and printing these materials for yourself from the handouts.

Pre-Training Assignments are due April 3, 2024. Note: It is important that participants complete all Pre-Training Assignments to maximize their learning during training, which will focus on applying those concepts. The first of 12 group consultation calls will be held Wednesday April 3, 2024 at 2pm EST. Join using this link: https://zoom.us/j/4834429186

Attendees should have an active caseload appropriate for TF-CBT and be ready to apply the model. Supervisors are welcome to attend training; however, if they are not carrying their own active TF-CBT cases, they will not meet criteria to seek national certification.

There is a cap of 50 attendees for this training. You must be paid in full to count toward the participation cap. It is strongly recommended you pay with credit card to ensure your spot is secure. If you plan to pay by check, you must email Jami Bolton, jbolton@nca-online.org, to let us know you are sending a check. The check must be received by April 3, 2024.

If registration is full, this means that our capacity has been met. Please email jbolton@nca-online.org, and we will add you to the waiting list. 

The cost for the training is $450 and includes 12 consultation calls. You may use NCA grant funds for this training. Your spot will not be reserved until payment is received. If you are paying by check, please mail ASAP to ensure your spot. 

To pay by check, select "check" under payment method during check out. After checking out, please save your invoice or email confirmation. 

Mail your check and invoice, payable to National Children's Alliance, to:

National Children's Alliance P.O. Box 71477 Washington, DC 20024 

Your name and TF-CBT Intro must be on the check memo or on a note with your check, otherwise it will not be approved. Do not mail checks to the former NCA office address, please use the PO Box listed above.

The Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) training is appropriate for Master’s level therapists and above or those who are working on a Master’s degree and providing mental health services under the supervision of a licensed professional. TF-CBT has more data (25 + randomized trials and a number of quasi-experimental studies) to support the model’s effectiveness in helping children and families overcome the impact of child abuse and trauma than any other therapy model available. TF-CBT has been recognized by the federal government as a model program and is included on numerous websites for evidence-based practices. 

At the conclusion of this TF-CBT training, participants will be able to: 

•  Evaluate which cases would benefit from TF-CBT and successfully engage families in treatment
•  Create session agendas and structure TF-CBT sessions to meet fidelity standards
•  Explain how to integrate gradual exposure into every TF-CBT session
• Support children and teens in developing skills that enhance coping and symptom reduction in the aftermath of trauma 
• Support caregivers in developing coping skills and parenting strategies for responding to children’s therapeutic needs in the aftermath of trauma 
• Apply and implement the PRACTICE components of TF-CBT with families impacted by trauma 

Upon completion of the virtual training, participants will have most of the requirements for formal certification in TF-CBT (obtained through the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy National Therapist Certification Program). The Virtual Training and group calls count toward the requirements for national certification in TF-CBT. However, a few additional guidelines for national certification must be met as established by the developers. (For more information, please see www.tfcbt.org). Training participants are required to have a web camera (i.e., on a laptop computer or cell phone) in order to participate in the TF-CBT 4-day training via web-platform. 

The training will be offered over 4 days including:

A 3-day initial training period: 

Tuesday, April 16, 2024: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm EST  

Wednesday, April 17, 2024: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm EST  

Friday, April 19, 2024: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm EST 

A 1-day Booster training:

Tuesday July 23, 2024: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm EST

Pre-Requisite: TF-CBTWeb *please note that there is a $35 fee that is NOT covered as part of your registration and which is paid to the Medical University of South Carolina through TF-CBTWeb.

Completion of TF-CBT Web2.0 is required as a prerequisite to the virtual TF-CBT training and proof of completion should be submitted to Jami Bolton at NCA 3 days prior to Day 1 of the virtual training.  Email your certificate of completion to jbolton@nca-online.org 

Registration:

To register for this training, you will need an NCA Engage account. If you do not have one, visit NCA Engage Getting Started page for step-by-step instructions to request an NCA Engage account. The account request form will include a field that asks for an Organizational ID number. The Organizational ID number will inform us that the person signing into NCA Engage is employed at or partnered with a member organization. Please email membership@nca-online.org if you need your Organizational ID. If you are not employed at or partnered with a member organization, please enter MH24 as your Organizational ID for non-member access to NCA Engage. Non-member access will provide access to the training. 

 ** As a reminder, if you are paying by check, your training registration is incomplete, and your spot will not be reserved, until your check is received and is manually approved by our staff. Your name and TF-CBT Intro must be on the check memo or on a note with your check, otherwise it will not be approved. Do not mail checks to the former NCA office address, please use the PO Box listed above. 

If you need any disability accommodations for this training, please reach out to Jami Bolton, jbolton@nca-online.org

By registering for this training, I agree to the following:

-I will complete all Pre-training assignments and email proof of my certificate of completion for TF-CBT Web 2.0 to Jami Bolton, jbolton@nca-online.org

-I will provide brief monthly data regarding my caseload to meet funder requirements; this enables NCA to offer training at a reduced rate for trainees

-Successful completion of TF-CBT Training includes: participating in all training activities, including didactic portion and interactive breakout activities and discussions; having my camera on during training and consultation calls; remaining in a stationary, private space during training and consultation; attending and participating in at least 75% of all scheduled group consultation calls (9 of 12), presenting my own TF-CBT treatment case during group consultation at least once. 

 For any questions or concerns related to this training, or your participation, please contact Jami Bolton, jbolton@nca-online.org

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It's also an opportunity for a social media sprint that can build momentum with your audience, challenge them to think of ways they could do more for kids, and even simplify your comms workstream. Let's build our launchpad for the rest of the year!

Join us to hear what NCA will be doing for the month of April, and how you can use existing campaign assets that you can co-brand for your agency to blast off and build engagement for months to come. We'll cover:

• New campaign assets for #ItsYourBusiness
• A quick co-branding workshop in Canva
• Building the launchplan with scheduling tools
• Blasting off with small-dollar ads

We'll also cover assets from #SHINE, #CACsRespondFirst, and other evergreen public awareness campaigns developed by CACs over the years. Each of these campaigns features customizable assets and messaging for your CAC to brand, adapt, and share to boost your CAC's visibility in healing and preventing child abuse, and in activating ordinary people to take this work personally. Join us to learn about these campaigns and how to use them with Adam Varahachaikol, NCA's social media guru, and Blake Warenik, NCA's Director of Communications, the CAC movement's communications leader, and creator of the #ItsYourBusiness prevention campaign.