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- March 31 - April 4, 2025 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.

Attorney Only Course March 31 - April 2, 2025 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.

Protocol Refresher for previously trained forensic interviewers April 1, 2025 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 March 18th, 2025. 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 cancellation and refund policy Written cancellations must be submitted via email to [email protected] at least 14 days prior to the scheduled event to be eligible for a refund, minus a 5% processing fee. Transferability: Registrations can be transferred to another qualified applicant within the same organization. No Refunds: No refunds will be issued for cancellations received less than 14 days before the event or for "no-shows" who fail to attend. Event Cancellation by CACI: If CACI cancels the event for any reason, 100% of the registration fee will be refunded.
• Registration fees can be refunded until March 10th, 2025. 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 $129 + tax a night at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Schaumburg, 1939 North Meacham Road, Schamuburg, IL 60173.
• This room block closes on March 19th, 2025. Reservations can be made by clicking the following link:     

        Embassy Suites by Hilton, Schaumburg