Description

ChildFirst is an intensive five-day course in which students learn the necessary skills to conduct a forensic interview of an alleged child abuse victim. ChildFirst is designed for investigative teams of law enforcement officers, social workers, prosecutors, and forensic interviewers.  Students receive training on the ChildFirst Forensic Interview Protocol, memory and suggestibility, child development, testifying in court, legal issues, and preparing children for court. ChildFirst is rigorous and interactive.  Each participant completes homework assignments, a critiqued mock forensic interview, and a written examination.  Successful participants will receive a certificate of completion.  ChildFirst is an ideal course for investigators and prosecutors seeking to enhance their ability to speak to and for abused children. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS IS AN INTENSIVE COURSE.  ChildFirst Illinois will send you a mandatory reading assignment prior to the training sessions.  Homework is assigned in the evening to supplement each training session.  Each student will be given a written examination at the end of the course.  Students who fail to attend all the workshops, complete homework, or pass the exam will not receive the certificate of completion.

Full Week Course- September 30 - October 4, 2024 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.

Attorney Only Course September 30 - October 2, 2024 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.

Protocol Refresher for previously trained forensic interviewers October 1, 2024 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.

• All applicants MUST be endorsed by the Children's Advocacy Center in the applicant's service area. 
• All participants MUST attend all days of their training in order to receive a certificate of completion. If someone is unable to make this commitment, he or she should not apply. 
• Registration deadline is September 14, 2024. Participants will be notified ASAP if they are accepted or not. 
• Registration is limited to 40 participants per session. 
• Acceptance will be based equally on the following factors; the order in which the application was received by our office, coordination with the sponsoring CAC, and applicants who will be in the primary role of forensic interviewer.
• Registration fees can be refunded until September 15th, 2024. After that time, the participant forfeits registration funds.
• All participants are responsible for making their own hotel room reservations. This will be at the expense of the participant's agency. A hotel block has been set up for the rate of $107 + tax a night at the Hilton Garden Inn located at 3100 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL. This room block closes on September 15, 2024. Reservations can be made by clicking the following link:        Hilton Garden Inn Reservations