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.
Child Abuse Dynamics Expert Witness Testimony Training
This training is designed for prosecutors and forensic interviewers in the state to
improve skills related to the presentation of child abuse behavioral dynamics evidence
in the form of blind expert testimony. The training will begin with a foundational
review of the caselaw that allows for the expert testimony and provides guidance on
the best practices to offer such testimony. Strategies related to how to properly
prepare, communicate, and defend the testimony will be provided.
This free training will be held at the Joseph F. Rice School of Law in Columbia on
Friday, May 17, 2024.
Child Death Investigations: The Basics (In-person)
This training on the basics of child death investigations will address the following
topics: causes and manners of child deaths; response and review of a child death,
to include an overview of the Child Death Investigation Task Force; proper procedures
for conducting reenactments; interviewing parents/caregivers and witnesses; collecting,
documenting, and preserving evidence; procedures for photographic documentation; documenting
investigative findings; multi-disciplinary coordination of investigations; and the
appropriate roles of DSS and law enforcement. *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 full-day training will be held in the Children's Law Center Training Center
in Columbia on June 10, 2024
This is a 2-part, virtual training that focuses on the basics of child death investigations.
This training will be broken up into 2, 3-hour blocks. Topics will include causes
and manners of child deaths; response and review of a child death, to include an overview
of the Child Death Investigation Task Force; proper procedures for conducting reenactments;
interviewing parents/caregivers and witnesses; collecting, documenting, and preserving
evidence; procedures for photographic documentation; documenting investigative findings;
multi-disciplinary coordination of investigations; and the appropriate roles of DSS
and law enforcement. Applicable definitions from the Children’s Code and criminal
statutes will also be addressed. *This is the same content that is offered as a 1-day, in-person training. It is being
offered both virtually and in-person to suit the individual learning needs of attendees. Part I will be held from 9 am - 12:15 pm on May 13, 2024. Part II will be held from 1:15 - 4:30 pm onMay 13, 2024.
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 at the Children’s Law Center's Training Center. 2024 Dates: May 6-10, August 26-30, October 14-18
This registration is not for DSS staff. If you are a DSS employee, register for this
course on the DSS LMS only. This registration is for non-DSS attendees only.
Child Sexual Abuse Investigations: The Basics (In-person)
This 1-day, in-person training focuses on the basics of child sexual abuse investigations
with an emphasis on multidisciplinary coordination. Part I of the training will focus
on the roles and function of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), the dynamics of child
sexual abuse, legal issues in child sexual abuse cases such as applicable definitions
from the S.C. Children’s Code and related criminal statutes, common evidentiary hearsay
exceptions used in child abuse cases, and unique child hearsay statutory exceptions.
Part II will focus on interviewing techniques and methods and strategies to corroborate
a child’s disclosure of abuse. *This training is the same content that is offered as a virtual training. It is being
offered both virtually and in-person to suit the individual learning needs of attendees.
This training will be held in the Children's Law Center Training Center in Columbia
on May 21, 2024.
Child Sexual Abuse Investigations: The Basics (Virtual)
This two-part virtual training focuses on the basics of child sexual abuse investigations
with an emphasis on multidisciplinary coordination. Part I of the training will focus
on the roles and function of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), the dynamics of child
sexual abuse, legal issues in child sexual abuse cases such as applicable definitions
from the S.C. Children’s Code and related criminal statutes, common evidentiary hearsay
exceptions used in child abuse cases, and unique child hearsay statutory exceptions.
Part II will focus on interviewing techniques and methods and strategies to corroborate
a child’s disclosure of abuse. *This training is the same content that is offered as a 1-day in-person training.
It is being offered both virtually and in-person to suit the individual learning needs
of attendees.
Part I will be offered on May 8th from 9-12, and Part II will be offered on May 8th
from 1-4. **You are not required to attend both parts of the training in the same week, but
you must complete Part 1 before attending Part 2.
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 18, 2024.
GAL/CASA Training: Exploring the DSS Case from the Defendant’s Viewpoint
This training, offered exclusively for current staff, guardians, and attorneys with
the Cass Elias McCarter GAL Program and Richland County CASA, will explore the DSS
case from the viewpoint of the defendant. The panel will feature an Indigent Defense
Contract Attorney for family court, a GAL/CASA staff professional, a DSS supervisor,
and the SC GAL Program General Counsel. This training will take place virtually on
May 17, 2024 from 9-10:30 am.
Medical Aspects in Child Abuse Investigations (Virtual Trainings)
The Children’s Law Center is offering focused presentations on various medical aspects
of child abuse investigations. These virtual presentations will be conducted by South
Carolina Children’s Advocacy Medical Response System (SCCAMRS) qualified child abuse
pediatrics medical providers. Each presentation will cover the unique medical aspects
of a different form of maltreatment. Medical Aspects of Sexual Abuse May 7, 2024 (10:30 - 11:45 am)
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: Monday, April 29, 2024 Monday, May 13, 2024 Wednesday, May 29, 2024 Wednesday, June 5, 2024 Monday, June 17, 2024 This training is also being offered to organizations upon request.
Training of Trainers: Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
This training is for professionals interested in conducting mandated reporter training
within their organization. All registrants must have previously attended a basic mandated
reporter training with the Children’s Law Center. This training is being offered on May 16, 2024 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm); Participants will also be required to conduct a virtual presentation
on May 23, 2024.
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.
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.
