Response Training Program- Educating the Frontlines of Justice
This program enhances local community’s response to childhood trauma through trainings, supervision, peer review, and consultation. Director Mary Beth Nelson, LCSW supports CACs, District Attorney’s Offices, lawyers, DFCS, Law Enforcement, and other frontline professionals working with at-risk children across Georgia.
Program Offerings:
Forensic Interview Trainings
- Child First Training – intensive nationally recognized forensic interview training program offered at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Nelson is a certified trainer, working with the Cherokee County Anna Crawford Children's Center to conduct these trainings regularly
- Back to Basics Training – unique course for seasoned forensic interviewers looking for a refresher course in order to gain knowledge on the latest evidence-based interviewing strategies
- Specialized FI Training - works with the CACGA CSEC Response Team to deliver Conducting High Risk Forensic Interviews & Conducting CSEC Forensic Interviews
Skill-Building Learning Collaborative
- Our learning collaborative combines peer review, ongoing supervision, and mentorship to increase professional development for interviewers throughout Georgia. Research shows that following an initial forensic interview training, ongoing supervision yields dramatic improvements on the quality of interviews and court testimony. Standard groups each meet once a month for approximately three hours
Specialized Consult Services
- Expert Consultation & Testimony – assists District Attorney’s Offices in GA so that jurors understand FI, process of disclosure, and children’s responses to abuse.
- Specialized Forensic Interviewing - Conducts forensic interviews for the Receiving Hope Center for trafficking victims. Conducts complex forensic interviews such as those involving adults with disabilities, or children on the autism spectrum
If you are interested in any of these services, please connect with Mary Beth Nelson at marybethn@gacfca.org.
