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School of Law

  • This is a photograph of Dean Wilcox presenting to a large audience in the law school auditorium.

Training

We offer trainings throughout the year on various topics related to children's law and child well-being. All of our programs are developed by former practitioners with years of experience and expertise in the topic area and are designed to ensure you get the most out of your training experience. Please check back for updates - trainings are added throughout the year.

  

ChildFirst® South Carolina

ChildFirst® South Carolina is an intensive five-day course in which students learn the necessary skills to conduct an investigative interview—also known as a forensic interview—of a suspected child abuse victim. This interactive course combines lectures and demonstrations supplemented with homework assignments and a written examination at the end of the course.

This training will be offered on the following dates: 
July 10-14, 2023
October 23-27, 2023

This registration is for non-DSS employees. DSS staff should register using the links below.

ChildFirst® South Carolina - For DSS Staff   

ChildFirst® South Carolina is an intensive five-day course in which students learn the necessary skills to conduct an investigative interview—also known as a forensic interview—of a suspected child abuse victim. This interactive course combines lectures and demonstrations supplemented with homework assignments and a written examination at the end of the course.

This training will be offered onthe following dates: 
July 10-14, 2023
October 23-27, 2023

Child Sexual Abuse Investigations: The Basics (In-person)

This training focuses on the basics of child sexual abuse investigations with an emphasis on multidisciplinary coordination. *This training is the same content that is offered as a 2-part virtual training. It is being offered both virtually and in-person to suit the individual learning needs of attendees.

This in-person training is being offered  at the Children’s Law Center’s Training Center in Columbia on June 12, 2023.

Conducting Reenactments in Child Death Investigations

This training is designed for law enforcement officers and coroners or their designees who have completed “Child Death Investigations: The Basics” training offered by the Children’s Law Center.   This is a 1-day, in-person training that focuses on conducting reenactments with caregivers in child death investigations and incorporates hands-on practice in a mock crime scene apartment.

This training will be held in  the Children's Law Center Training Center in Columbia on June 20, 2023

Investigating Child Abuse and Neglect among   Children with Special Needs

This presentation will focus on recognizing, investigating, and documenting abuse and neglect among children with special needs. This training wil take place at the Children’s Law Center Training Center in Columbia on June 6, 2023.

Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Webinar

This is a live webinar, designed for mandated reporters and professionals who have frequent contact with children. This webinar is being offered to anyone wishing to attend, from 11:00 am  - 12:30 pm on the  following dates:
June 22, 2023 
July 10. 2023
July 20, 2023
This training  is also being offered to organizations upon request.  

Trauma-Informed Care in South Carolina

This training is open to those who serve youth (e.g., frontline service provider, school employee, law enforcement officer, church employee, medical provider, coach, childcare provider, family court employee, mentor). Interest and commitment among individuals and entities at the local level can lead to paradigm shift in statewide responses to trauma. South Carolina’s efforts continue, and we’ll teach you how to do what you can.

Participants will:
1) Be provided with copy of / detailed look at The Core Competencies of Trauma-Informed Care for Agencies and Organizations in South Carolina That Serve Children, Adolescents, and Their Families 
2) Examine SAMHSA standards for TIC which can be expected in knowledge, values and attitudes, communication, practice, organizations and systems, and communities.
3) Receive additional resources to guide both individual and agency development of TIC.

This training wil be held on the following dates:

May 23, 2023 in Bishopville, SC
July 25, 2023 in  Newberry, SC
September 13, 2023 in Mullins, SC
November 14, 2023 in St. Matthews, SC

The  Child Maltreatment and Juvenile Justice Connection:  Delinquency Prevention Through Resilience Development (Recorded Webinar)

This training will provide an overview of South Carolina’s juvenile justice system and explore the dynamics behind why abused or neglected youth are more likely to become delinquent. Topics will include the prevalence of and risk factors associated with juvenile justice and child welfare involvement and the role of complex trauma. The training will also cover best practices and current efforts that effectively serve these youth and their families.

Communication Challenges with Special Populations of Children (Recorded Webinar)

This recorded webinar is a multidisciplinary training designed for professionals who may have contact with potentially abused or neglected children with communication barriers. This includes children with autism, speech impairments, intellectual disabilities, visual impairments or blindness, and trauma- induced communication barriers; and children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The training will provide participants with a basic overview of these disabilities, communication challenges that may be encountered, and strategies to effectively communicate with these children. Part 1 will address children with autism, speech impairments, and intellectual disabilities. Part 2 will address children with a visual impairment or blindness, children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and children with trauma-induced communication barriers.

Identifying Child Sex Trafficking in South Carolina

This self-paced online training, designed with input from local law enforcement officers, focuses on identifying child sex trafficking in South Carolina. This training will provide a basic overview of the South Carolina child sex trafficking law, prevalence of child sex trafficking, risk factors and red flags of child sex trafficking, and resources to assist with your response to child sex trafficking.

Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

This interactive online training is designed to equip mandated reporters with information regarding their role and responsibilities as mandated reporters and to increase their awareness, knowledge, and skills in reporting child abuse and neglect.

South Carolina Child Abuse Response Protocol Training

This on-line, self-paced training consists of approximately 3.5 hours of instruction and includes the following topics: Introduction to the SC Child Abuse Response Protocol; The Initial Child Abuse Response for DSS and Law Enforcement First Responders; Referral to a SC Children’s Advocacy Center and Services Provided; The Forensic Medical Exam and the SC Children’s Advocacy Medical Response System; The Investigative Process, Joint Investigation (DSS and law enforcement), and Special Issues; The GAL and Court Appointed Special Advocate; The Court Process and Preparing the Child for the Courtroom; and Resources, Revisions, and Maintenance of the Protocol.


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