Child Abuse Professionals to Participate in Training Designed to Advance Efforts Throughout Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. (October 27, 2021) – Child abuse professionals from Garfield, Blaine, Canadian and Kingfisher Counties will receive foundational training about the multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach to investigating and management of allegations of child abuse. The training will be held at the Autry Technology Center in Enid, Oklahoma and is scheduled for Thursday, October 28th and Friday, October 29th, 2021.

“It is an honor to sponsor a training that shows how MDTs are essential for addressing child abuse,” said Jimmy Widdifield, Jr., Freestanding Multidisciplinary Teams Program Manager for the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY). “This training will enhance the great work already being done in the four Counties, and will be used statewide to help all MDTs do the same.”

The MDT approach to investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect is considered best practice and this training is designed around that belief. Multidisciplinary teams are responsible for collaborating on investigations of child abuse so that children are safe and not negatively impacted by the investigation process. Having foundational knowledge about the MDT approach is essential for healthy team functioning which, in turn, has a positive impact on children served.

“Providing a consistent statewide response is critical in child abuse investigations and every child and family deserve access to professionals who are trained in best practices,” said Jerri Sites, Child Protection Concepts Trainer. “This curriculum will provide that foundational consistency for child abuse professionals across the great state of Oklahoma, and I am honored to be a part of the development of that process.”

OVERVIEW: WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE TRAINING?

On day one, MDT members will learn the history of MDT and Children’s Advocacy Centers movement and relevance to member’s work roles and responsibilities of the team as a whole and individual disciplines, how to structure case reviews for effectiveness, how to manage the impact of secondary traumatic stress; and understanding team development concepts and high-performance team components.

On day two, leaders from local MDTs and Children Advocacy Centers will participate in activities that will support effective leadership of an MDT. Leaders will learn how to:

• Differentiate between Compassion Fatigue/Empathic Strain, Vicarious Trauma, Secondary Traumatic Stress, and Burnout

• Identify ways to promote self-assessment of how this work impacts professionals

• Identify tips for creating a psychologically safe work environment

• Identify micro strategies and resources to help child abuse professionals become more resilient in dealing with the cost of caring

“We have an obligation to protect Oklahoma's children,” said Carrie Little, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Oklahoma. “By providing quality best practice training and supporting professionals in our field who investigate and respond to child abuse in our state, we can improve outcomes for children and provide a brighter future for vulnerable families."

The event is co-sponsored by the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Oklahoma (CACO). Applicable participants are eligible to receive continuing education units for trainings attended.