Nord Center to address child abuse during conference

The Kidz First Children’s Advocacy Center, a program of the Nord Center Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare, is hosting a conference to address child abuse awareness and prevention May 25-26 at the Spitzer Conference Center at Lorain Community College, 1005 N. Abbe Road in Elyria.

National and local experts will gather at the conference to educate professionals, advocates and caregivers on child abuse prevention, intervention and best practices.

Presenters include Detective Brad Graham, special assault unit at the Tacoma Police Department in Tacoma, Wa., and Christopher Pierre, assistant prosecuting attorney at the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office, who will discuss model practices in the investigation and prosecution of child abuse.

Mary Sawicki, a senior attorney with the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and Child Abuse Prevention Project, will present on the ethics of child abuse; testifying as an expert witness; prosecution of cases with limited evidence; and recantation in cases of child abuse.

Dr. Melissa Peters, medical director at Children’s Hospital Intervention and Prevention Services (CHIPS) Center, Children’s of Alabama, University of Alabama, will discuss medical evidence in child physical abuse and sexual abuse.

Rita Adballah, a social worker at Turning Point Services Ltd., will provide a lunch presentation each day with a focus on identifying burnout and self-care.

Anyone who works with children and families can benefit from this conference, including social workers, teachers, health care professionals, administrators, law enforcement and court personnel, mental health professionals, prevention workers, substance abuse counselors, parents, adoptive/foster parents, home visitors and community volunteers

The cost for two-day registration is $50 and single-day registration is $25.

A limited amount of scholarship funds also are available. For scholarship applications and questions regarding the conference, call Amanda Thomas at 440-204-4351.

For more information, or to register, visit https://www.nordcenter. org/events/.

National and local experts will gather at the conference to educate professionals, advocates and caregivers on child abuse prevention, intervention and best practices.