Advanced Mandated Reporter Training

This training,  designed for individuals who have already  attended a Children’s Law Center Mandated Reporter  training or Train the Trainer session, includes a review on the role and responsibilities of the mandated reporter, long-term consequences of child abuse and neglect, and recent legislative changes to the statutes that govern mandated reporting. 
This 2-hour training will be offered virtually on the following dates: 
October 5, 2023 (9:00-11:00 am) 
October 5, 2023 (12:00-2:00 pm)
February 7, 2024 (9:00-11:00 am)
February 7, 2024 (12:00-2:00 pm)
April 17, 2024 (9:00-11:00 am)
April 17, 2024 (12:00-2:00 pm)

Best Legal Practices for Status Offense Cases

This training will provide legal professionals with knowledge and enhanced skills in working with status offending youth in the family court system. Topics will include dynamics of children exhibiting status offense behaviors, impact of court involvement and potential incarceration, and best legal practices for handling status offense cases.
The training will be held virtually on: 
October 20, 2023 (9:00 – 10:30 am)
October 27, 2023 (1:00 – 2:30 pm)

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:
November 14, 2023
February 5, 2024
June 10, 2024

Child Death Investigations: The Basics (Virtual)  

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:      
October 10, 2023 (9 am - 12:15 pm); December 18, 2023 (9 am - 12:15 pm); March 4, 2024; May 13, 2024

 Part II:     
October 10, 2023 (1:15 pm - 4:30 pm); December 18, 2023 (1:15 pm - 4:30 pm); March 5, 2024:  May 14, 2024

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 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 on October 23-27, 2023.

Child Physical Abuse and Neglect Investigations: The Basics (In-person)

This training focuses on the basics of child physical abuse and neglect investigations with an emphasis on multidisciplinary coordination. *This 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 October 30, 2023.

Child Physical Abuse and Neglect Investigations: The Basics (Virtual)

This two-part virtual training focuses on the basics of child physical abuse and neglect investigations with an emphasis on multidisciplinary coordination. Part I of the training will focus on understanding the prevalence of child abuse and neglect, recognizing red flags and risk factors, distinguishing between inflicted and accidental injuries, the emergency protective custody process, and interviewing. In the interviewing segment of the training, we will begin with a review of general techniques of interviewing and then broaden the discussion to include all the individuals that need to be interviewed for a comprehensive investigation and the questions that should be asked. Part II will focus on proper documentation and evidence collection and a discussion of applicable definitions of abuse and neglect and criminal laws. *This is the same content that is offered as an in-person training.  It is being offered both virtually and in-person to suit the individual learning needs of attendees. 

Dates and Times:
Part I: Deecember 12, 2023 (9 am – 12:15 pm)
Part II: December 12, 2023 (1:15 am -4:30 pm)

**You are not required to attend both training parts in the same week, but you must  complete Part 1 before attending Part 2.

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 November 20, 2023 from 9-12, and Part II will be offered on November 20, 2023 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:
October 16, 2023
December 5, 2023

Ending the Practice of Incarcerating Children for Status Offenses (Virtual)

This training will address the prevalence of incarceration of youth for status  offenses in South Carolina; the harms associated with incarcerating youth for status offenses; recent updates to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) specific to status offense incarceration; and recommended community-based practices as alternatives to secure confinement.

This training will be offered on a virtual platform on September 13, 21 and 26, 2023. Links will be sent near the date of the training.

Guardian ad Litem Training: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) & Resiliency

This training, offered exclusively for current guardians and attorneys with the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program and Richland County CASA Program, will provide education and resources regarding adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and resiliency. 

This training will be offered  virtually on October 20, 2023. 

Guardian ad Litem and Attorney Training: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

This training, hosted in conjunction with the SC Appleseed  Legal Justice Center and offered exclusively for current guardians, attorneys and staff with the Cass Elias McCarter GAL Program and Richland County CASA and indigent defense contract attorneys for family court, will provide individuals with education and resources regarding special immigrant juvenile status. This  trainig will be offered virtually on October 27, 2023.

Guardian ad Litem Training: Anti-human Trafficking Education and Advocacy

This training, offered exclusively for current staff and volunteer guardians with the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program and Richland County CASA, will provide guardians with education and resources regarding youth and families that may have been affected by trafficking. This training will be offered  virtually on November 17, 2023. 

Indigent Defense Contract Attorney (IDCA) Annual Training

This training, offered exclusively for Indigent Defense Contract Attorneys who represent parents and caregivers in child protection cases, will cover a range of issues parent attorneys encounter in the course of their court appointments including foster parent intervention, working with clients with limited English proficiency, representing youth receiving aftercare services, representing clients with disabilities, evidence and error preservation, and ethics.

This training will be held in Columbia, SC (location TBD) on October 6, 2023.

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 presentations will be conducted by SC Children’s Advocacy Medical Response System qualified child abuse pediatrics medical providers. Each presentation will cover the unique medical aspects of a different form of maltreatment, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, medical neglect, failure to thrive, medical child abuse and abusive head trauma. Medical experts will cover how to recognize the specific maltreatment, what should be documented, red flags, risk factors, and information that is needed to make a medical conclusion or diagnosis related to the form of maltreatment.

The trainings will be offered as follows:
Understanding Medical Aspects of Abusive Head Trauma
September 22, 2023 (1:00 - 2:15 pm)

Medical Aspects of Physical Abuse
October 13, 2023 ( 9:00  – 10:15 am)

Medical Aspects of Sexual Abuse
November 1, 2023  (9:00 – 10:15 am)

Recognizing Medical Child Abuse
November 6, 2023 (1:00 – 2:15 pm)

Recognizing Medical Neglect & Failure to Thrive
November 15, 2023  (9:00 – 10:15 am)

Medical Aspects of Sexual Abuse
November 30, 2023 (11:00 am – 12:15 pm)

Medicolegal Infant Death Investigations

This three-day course is being offered to coroners, law enforcement, and prosecutors in South Carolina to focus on the responsibilities of investigating infant death cases.

This training will be held in Columbia at the SC Sheriff’s Association, 112 Westpark Boulevard on  September 25 - 27, 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:
October 16, 2023
October 26, 2023
November 8, 2023
November 13, 2023
December 5, 2023
This training  is also being offered to organizations upon request.  

Recognizing and Responding to Problematic Sexual Behaviors in Youth (Virtual Training)

This training will identify myths, describe sexual development of children and adolescents, outline considerations in determining whether the behavior is problematic or inappropriate, and identify co-occurring behavioral problems and family dynamics. The presentation will include a discussion of current treatments or commonly used interventions and risk and recidivism.
This training will be offered virtually on:
Thursday, September 7, 2023 (11:00 am – 12:30 pm)
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 (1:00 pm – 2:30 pm)

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:

September 20, 2023 (9:00 am - 4:00 pm); Participants will also be required to conduct a virtual presentation on September 27, 2023.

January 18, 2024 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm); Participants will also be required to conduct a virtual presentation on January 25, 2024.

May 16, 2024 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm); Participants will also be required to conduct a virtual presentation on May 23, 2024.

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. 
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:
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.

Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Webinar

This live webinar for mandated reporters and professionals who have frequent contact with children is being offered to organizations upon request.

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.