CACI has remained steadfast in our determination to keep the important work moving forward during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering virtual trainings. We are committed to promoting excellence in Illinois CACs through leadership, education and collaboration; providing training opportunities to strengthen CACs and multi-disciplinary partners, in accordance with the best practices and  National Children's Alliance  standards for accreditation, which result in better service to Illinois children and their families.

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We are thrilled to share that as of June 1st, Kathy Murphy has joined CACI in a full time capacity, serving as the VOCA Program Manager. As some of you already know, Kathy has been working with the Chapter, contractually, on the fiscal side of our VOCA grant. The CACI staff and Illinois CACs are fortunate to have her knowledge, talents, and patience on our team! Kathy has worked for local accounting firms as a bookkeeper for twenty years. For the last few years she has worked for her husband’s firm and has served as the VOCA Fiscal Monitor on a contractual basis. Prior to becoming a bookkeeper, she enjoyed working with young children for many years as a daycare teacher. She is happy to be working with CACI on the VOCA Grant, knowing it is providing important resources to help make a difference in the lives of children. Kathy and her husband Allen live in Chatham. They have two children and two grandchildren. Kathy enjoys spending time with her family, reading, music, and traveling. Her favorite destination is St Augustine, Florida and hopes to retire someday there.

Please join us in welcoming Meryl Daskal Paniak, MSW, JD, to the Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois (CACI) Board of Directors. Meryl has worked in child welfare either as a social worker or an attorney for the past 35 years. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1985, and a law degree from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1991. Her social work experience includes work as a child welfare/intact family worker, a psychiatric social worker, and a private therapist for victims of domestic violence. As an attorney with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS/Department) for 20 years, Meryl held numerous positions. She served as the Inspector General for the DCFS from 2018 to 2020, Ethics Officer and Chief Counsel for Legislative Affairs, and Associate Deputy Director of Child Protection. Meryl has also held the position of Chief Administrative Law Judge for the DCFS, Administrative Hearings Unit, coordinating and administering a system of hearings on a variety of child welfare, child protection, and licensing issues.

The CACI staff wish the dads in our lives a happy Father's Day

 This month, CACI hosted a digital training titled: "Excelling as a Supervisor" for CAC directors and CAC mid-level managers. This course was taught by IllinoisBIS consultant Francene Pelmon who has 25 years experience in organizational leadership, and 10 years of experience in strategic consulting and executive coaching. Subjects covered in this training included: Leading Change, Communication Skills, Resolving Conflicts, Coaching for a Higher Performance, and Customer-Focused Teamwork. 32 participants attended this 3-day training. An overview of the program evaluations revealed that participants believed the strengths of this program were that the instructor demonstrated knowledge of the subject, what participants learned will be useful at work, and that the materials met the stated objectives.  ~ Cara

June 30 - July 1 9:30 A.M.-2:00 P.M  By reviewing keys aspects of the forensic interview including child development, language and memory development, the impact of trauma and the practical applications of approaches to enhancing rapport with youth, this training will strengthen skills of interviewers at the beginner and intermediate levels. Research supports that narrative practice increases a child’s narrative competence as well as the details provided in the substantive portion of the interview ( Roberts, Brubacher, Powell, & Price, 2011 ) . Attendees will build upon prior knowledge and experience, and enrich their techniques in engagement, gathering of details and fluidity of their forensic interviews. For information on how to join, please contact your CAC Executive Director.

Webinar: Having a Peer Support Program and Help During... Staff wellness is more important now than ever. Prosecutors and victim advocates whose work includes domestic violence and animal abuse are often exposed to emotionally taxing cases and can experience vicarious trauma on a consistent basis. Given ... Read more www.apa-inc.org

Equity and Inclusion Webinar This 2 part series will take a look at the relationship between diversity, inclusion, equity and culture by defining each element and providing actionable steps that individuals can take to enhance their skills and advocate within their organization. Equity and Inclusion. What Is It and How Do We Build It? Part 1 Equity and Inclusion. What Is It and How Do We Build It? Part 2

CACI held 2 virtual trainings, led by Victor Veith , for Prosecutors in June. The first training held on June 5th, "When the Child Stands Alone: The Search for Corroborative Evidence", had 31 participants The second training held on June 22nd, "When the Smoke Clears: Cross Examining the Defense Expert's Attack on a Forensic Interview" 2 additional trainings with Zero Abuse Project will be in August and October.

The Damage Done by Racism Good morning. Just last week, thousands gathered in Houston, Texas, to bid farewell to George Floyd. His relatives expressed their wish that his funeral would mark the beginning, and not the end, of long-lasting change. So, I want to start this... Read more mailchi.mp

Your COVID-19 Questions Answered: Daily Life, Social... CEU: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is authorized by IACET to offer 0.1 CEU's for this program. CECH: Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH)... Read more emergency.cdc.gov

Watch the Powerful Trailer for Netflix's USA Gymnastics... Five years ago today, Maggie Nichols' gymnastic coach submitted the first report of doctor Larry Nassar's sexual abuse of gymnasts to officials at USA Gymnastics. More than 300 women would eventually come forward to accuse Nassar of sexually... Read more www.elle.com Safe Sleep Resources for Child-Care Providers Millions of babies across the country attend child-care, which makes child-care providers invaluable allies for championing infant safe sleep: Child-care providers can make sure that all babies in their care sleep in a safe environment and they... Read more www.nichq.org

How to Have Difficult Conversations, with David Harris | ... Subscribe to A Bit of Optimism: bit.ly/abitofoptimism I have a desire to have necessary and difficult conversations. But I don't always know how to start the... Read more www.youtube.com Evidence-Based Policing in 45 Small Bytes Evidence-based policing (EBP) is using data, analysis, and research to complement experience and professional judgment in order to provide the best possible police service to the public. This publication offers a practical framework to... Read more nij.ojp.gov

The 31st edition of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT® Data Book describes how children across the United States were faring before the coronavirus pandemic began. This year’s publication continues to deliver the Foundation’s annual state rankings and the latest available data on child well-being. It also identifies multi-year trends — comparing statistics from 2010 to 2018. As always, policymakers, researchers and advocates can continue using this information to help shape their work and build a stronger future for children, families and communities.

View How Illinois Ranks

I want to thank everyone for the warm welcome I have received since joining CACI. My new email is kathy@cacionline.org . UPCOMING VOCA FISCAL DUE DATES: Tuesday, June 30 th – FY20 Grant Period ends. All expenditures must be made by this date. Wednesday, July 10 th – June Fiscal Reports Friday, July 24 th – FY20 Closeout Fiscal Reports due. All invoices should be paid before report is submitted. Monday, August 10 th – FY21 July Fiscal Report due.

PRC Virtual Trivia Night! Causes event in Peoria, IL by Pediatric Resource Center on Thursday, June 25 2020 Read more www.facebook.com

OSF St. Joseph’s Medical Center became a full treatment facility in 2019 and have since been performing all acute pediatric sexual assault exams locally. Many of the children who receive an exam are then referred to the Children’s Advocacy Center and are eligible for services. There is a current need of new and packaged underwear and new clothing to keep on hand for children when their clothing is taken as part of evidence collection. Items will be collected until Friday, July 10th. - You can drop off new items at the McLean County Children’s Advocacy Center (200 W. Front St. Bloomington, IL 61701). Please call ahead for drop off instructions at 309-888-5656. - You can see our Amazon wish list HERE if you prefer to shop online

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