Kids at Court Conference: Trauma Sensitive Strategies for Attorneys

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Join us for the Kids at Court Conference to learn how to utilize trauma sensitive strategies to support your work with child victims and/or witnesses.

This conference is open to all attorneys who interact with children and youth in their courtroom practice, including, but not limited to, criminal, dependency, delinquency, civil, and domestic relations across Pennsylvania.

The conference includes an online pre-requisite session and a live, full-day event. Topics will include oppression-based trauma, the neurobiological impact of trauma, understanding and utilizing forensic interviewing, experts and motions, strategies when children are in-trial and on-the-stand, and more. The content includes the perspective of those with lived experience. 

  • Includes both pre-recorded content and the in-person conference.
  • 9.0 CLE credits available (2.5 substantive/0.5 ethics for the online pre-requisite training; 4.5 substantive/1.5 ethics for the in-person conference)
  • Space is limited, pre-registration required, no walk-ins will be admitted. 

CONFERENCE DATES

Montgomery Bar Association

Friday, May 17, 2024 

8:30 am to 5:00 pm

(100 W Airy St, Norristown, PA 19401)

 

Click here to register.

 

Penn State Law

PENN STATE DICKINSON LAW

Thursday, July 11, 2024

8:30 am to 5:00 pm

(Lewis Katz, University Park, PA 16802)

Click here to register.

 

 

Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law

Friday, September 13, 2024

8:30 am to 5:00 pm

(1719 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19122)

Click here to register.

 

Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University

September 20, 2024

8:30 am to 5:00 pm

(900 Locust St, Pittsburgh, PA 15282)

Click here to register.

 

Pre-Requisite online training

All conference registrants will have access to a 3-hour pre-requisite online training. This online training will cover foundational information about secondary-traumatic stress, oppression-based trauma, the neurological impact of trauma, trauma-sensitive strategies for attorneys when interacting with kids, and interviews with individuals with lived experience. 

The online trainings is eligible for 3.0 CLE credits (2.5 substantive/0.5 ethics) and will be hosted on our online learning center, Child Advocates Online.

The online training will prepare registrants for the in-person training and ensure a shared understanding of relevant terms and concepts. 

SPEAKERS AND ADVISORS

Susan Abramowich
Judicial Hearing Officer
Allegheny County, Family Division, Juvenile Section
Crystal L. Austin, Ph.D., L.P.
Assistant Professor of Instruction & Associate Program Coordinator,
Temple University, Psychology Program
       
Nadeem A Bezar, Esq.
Partner,
Kline & Specter
Shakira Hansley Ellerson, J.D
Policy & Advocacy Coalition Director,
Voices for Children Coalition,
CASA Youth Advocates
 
 
  
 
Brenda Harkavy, Esq.
Trial Attorney,
Raynes & Lawn,
Child Advocates Volunteer Attorney
Constance Iannetta
3rd Generation Foster Care Alumna,
Founder & Executive Director,
FosterStrong
 
 
  
 

Kristin Flory,

Supervising Attorney,

Kids Voice
Karen M. Galbraith, LSW
Social Work Supervisor,
Children’s Advocacy Clinic,
Dickinson Law, Pennsylvania State University
 
 
  
 
Marcia Hopkins, MSW
Project PROTECT Program Manager

Support Center for Child Advocates
Yalonda Houston, Esq.
Executive Director, 
Philly Voice for Change
 
 
  
 
Lucy Johnston-Walsh, MSW, JD
Assistant Professor of Law
Children’s Advocacy Clinic, Director
Penn State Dickinson Law
Sarah Katz, Esq.
Senior Fellow, Stoneleigh Foundation; and Clinical Professor of Law,
Temple University Beasley School of Law
 
 
  
 
Jane Kim, Esq.
Program Director,
Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center
Alexis Krieger
FBI Victim Specialist
 
 
  
 
Amy Lynch, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, TBRI® Educator, SCFES
Associate Professor
Program In Occupational Therapy,
Temple University, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
  

Emily Marks, Esq.

Kline & Specter
 
 
  
 

Dana Masciantonio, Esq.
Deputy City Solicitor,
Child Welfare Unit, City of Philadelphia Law Department

Judge Jennifer McCrady

Judge Court of Common Pleas Fifth Judicial District Family Division,

County of Allegheny 
 
 
  
 

Katherine L.W. Norton, Esq.
Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquense University
Co-Associate Dean for Faculty Scholarship
Director of Clinical and International Programs
Director of the Family Law Clinic
Assistant Professor of Law
Mary C. Pugh, Esq.
Executive Director,
Montgomery Child Advocacy Project, MCAP
 
 
    
Erin P. O’Brien, Esq.
First Assistant District Attorney,
Chester County District Attorney’s Office
Nathan Riley
Project CARE Faculty,
Support Center for Child Advocates, 
Co-Founder,
Philadelphia Community LifeLine
       
Brianna Ringwood
Deputy District Attorney,
Chief of Professional Standards, Office of the District Attorney,
Montgomery County, PA
Clara Roberti, MSW
Lead Forensic Interviewer,
UPMC Child Advocacy Center of Central Pennsylvania
       
Sandra Simkins, Esq.
Interim Dean of Students,
Rutgers University
Judge Tiffany Sizemore
Judge, Court of Common Pleas,
Allegheny County
       
Tito Valdes, Esq.
Assistant District Attorney,
Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit,
Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office
Tamara L. Wilson, JD.
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,
Chester County Program Manager,
CASA Youth Advocates serving Delaware and Chester Counties
 
 
  
 
Adriana
Youth Voices Council Founding Member,
CASA Youth Advocates Board of Directors Member
Kiera D
Youth Voices Council Founding Member
 
 
  
 
Patricia
Youth Voices Council Founding Member
    

Thank you to our sponsors

 

 

This project was supported by PCCD Subgrant #40052 awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The awarded funds originate with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The opinions, findings and conclusions expressed within this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of PCCD or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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