It's the LAST DAY TO ENTER!!!!!
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Greetings,
October 1st - 5th, CACI held the 21st session of ChildFirst Illinois, in Springfield. The curriculum covered the following topics:
Working on a MDT
,
Effective Interviewing
,
Process of Disclosure
,
Child Development
,
Medical Exams, ChildFirst Protocol
,
Dolls
,
Hearsay
,
Potential Blocks
,
Preparing the Child Witness for Court
,
Dynamics
,
Suggestibility
,
Corroboration,
and
Testifying in Court
.
Participants were required to successfully complete a practice forensic interview, and pass a free recall exam. In addition to the ChildFirst class who were studying to become forensic interviewers, 5 Illinois attorneys attended the Monday thru Wednesday attorney observation track. These attorneys gained greater understanding of the dynamics of these cases, and the legalities behind the forensic interview. We appreciate all the agencies who sent staff, CAC’s who endorsed their team members, and the participants for their dedication to this week-long training!
CACI would also like to welcome Melanie Pignotti to the ChildFirst Faculty. Melanie observed the full week ChildFirst session, and will be teaching in 2019. Melanie comes from the North/Northwest Cook County CAC, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. We are delighted to have her as a new faculty member, and look forward to ChildFirst sessions in 2019.
~ Cara
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Pictured are the ChildFirst faculty who are proud of the graduates of the 22nd class of ChildFirst Illinois forensic interviewing course. CACI wants to give a heartfelt thank you to the faculty, their CACs, and their families for allowing this impactful week to happen! (Not pictured, Adam Ghrist and Dr. Channing Petrak.)
Good work and congrats to yet another dedicated class!
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Terror in Taekwondo
Steven Lopez is America's most decorated taekwondo athlete. His brother Jean has been his coach, but according to the athletes who have filed a suit against them, they have used their influence and power to sexually abuse young women for more than a decade.
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Taekwondo stars accused of sexually abusing women
Steven Lopez is America's most decorated taekwondo athlete. His brother Jean has been his coach, but according to the athletes who have filed a suit against them, they have used their influence and power to sexually abuse young women for more...
Read more
www.si.com
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We are honored to announce that childhood sexual abuse survivor turned author, speaker, child advocate and activist Erin Merryn is on a mission to raise $25,000 for CACI by
#GivingTuesday
, November 27th. Erin is also the founder and president of Erin’s Law and a longtime CACI Board Member.
#GivingTuesday
is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Your donation is tax deductible and you will receive an emailed receipt after donating.
Illinois remains one of the top states in the nation in the number of operating children’s advocacy centers (CACs), serving child victims of sexual and physical abuse and non-offending family members. There are 37 CACs in Illinois serving 98 out of 102 counties.
In FY18, 12,424 child victims walked through the doors of a CAC in Illinois to receive a forensic interview & follow up services for them
AND
their family. During that time Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois (CACI) continued to increase services and its ability to support CACs. We also provided 28 trainings to 951 participants and coordinated 42 peer reviews!
Once again, we are humbled and thankful to have Erin take on such an awesome task and from the very bottom of our hearts, we ask that you join her!
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J
essica Friday, Executive Director of the Shining Star CAC, passionately promotes advocacy, awareness, justice, and healing for victims. In addition, Jessica firmly maintains that efficient and effective victim services and community outreach efforts are of the utmost importance to the continued growth of the organization and safety of our communities. Prior to joining the team at Shining Star, Jessica reverently investigated crimes against children for nearly twelve years as a detective with the Dixon Police Department. Jessica has a Bachelor’s of Science in General Studies from Northern Illinois University, and is currently completing her Master’s of Public Administration through Capella University. Jessica currently serves on the Lee County Board of Health, on the Lee County initiative combating domestic violence and violence against women, and volunteers as a mentor in the Dixon Public Schools. In addition, Jessica has been trained in Child First Illinois Forensic Interviewing, and has conducted numerous forensic interviews for Shining Star over the past 9 years.
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1.
What do you do when you’re not working?
When I’m not working I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends and outdoor activities.
2.
What is one thing you’re glad you tried but would never do again?
One thing I’m glad I tried but would never do again is skydiving. It took a leap of faith and a lot of adrenaline.
3.
What would be the title of your memoir?
A memoir of my life would be titled “Think About It, Pray About It, Act Upon It!
4.
What would be the WORST "buy one get one free" sale of ALL TIME!?!?
The worst buy one get one free sale of all time would be buy one coffin get one free.
5.
If you could go back to anytime in history, where would you go?
If I could travel back in history I would go back to the 1930’s and 1940’s, to better understand one of our countries most pivotal era’s including the Great Depression and World War II.
6.
What do you say more often in life: yes or no?
I find myself saying yes more often than no throughout life, “Should I eat this piece of cake….Yes!” “Should I go for a run since I ate this piece of cake…..Yes!” “Should I always enjoy the moments in life that mean the most…Yes!”
7.
What is the luckiest thing that has happened to you?
The luckiest thing that has happened to me is that my parachute didn’t fail me while I was skydiving.
8.
If you could take only three (3) items with you to a deserted island, what would they be?
If I could take only three items to a deserted island they would include a fishing pole, a boat, and my kids.
9.
My CAC is:
My CAC is an amazing and safe place to talk about anything, Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center!
10.
Ask your staff to finish this sentence: "If I had to describe Jessica in one word, that word would be __"
My staff would say, “If I had to describe Jessica in one word, that word would be enthusiastic!”
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Save the Date!
The 2nd Collaborate Demonstration will be held on:
Thursday, Nov 1st from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Directors please invite any key staff members to attend.
~ Jean
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Hello!
I would like to let you know that the main speaker for both the Upstate and the Downstate MDT Coordinators Training, will be Rick Ringer, Ph.D., from Illinois State University.
He will be speaking on "Leadership without Authority."
~ Mike
Deadline to register for both trainings is 11/16/2018.
To register for the Upstate Training click
HERE
To register for the Downstate Training click
HERE
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Champaign County CAC held their second annual MDT training. Juan Ortiz was the morning keynote speaker and Cara Vock and Mike Burns provided the Building Resiliency in CACs and MDTs training. MDT members really enjoyed the day.
You can see us lined up to have Juan sign a copy of his book, and participating in the creating Resiliency action plan ideas.
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On October 13, 2018,
The Guardian Center hosted the Candy Corn Run. The event was a success thanks to the wonderful support of the community. There were 75 registered runners and walkers, ranging in ages from 7 to 74.
Awards were distributed to the top three individuals in each age bracket. The overall male winner was Timothy Roser with a time of 19.15.2. Jenny Howard topped the female runners with a time of 21:34.6.
To see a complete listing of 5K times, please go to the Guardian Center website:
Race results can be seen
here
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We are so excited to be moving into a new building…date yet to be determined!
We have a new Crisis Counselor /Outreach Coordinator. Her name is Thea Myers and she has been very busy with implementing our new CHANCES (Creating Hope & Awareness: Non-Offending Caregiver Education & Support) Program.
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A Night of Heroes
On Wednesday, October 10th Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center held their fall event, A Night of Heroes to celebrate heroes throughout Chicago who work every day to protect children from child sexual abuse. Proceeds from the event benefited ChicagoCAC and their work to restore the lives of children and families impacted by sexual abuse. Over 300 guests joined to show their support!
The fundraising event helped raise awareness of child sexual abuse and more than $130,000 for Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center. Honored guests included Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and Superintendent Eddie Johnson.
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JOB OPENING
Director, Child Advocacy Center, Behavioral Health, Broadview
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The Program Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center is responsible for the implementation of the overall mission and policies of the Proviso Children’s Advocacy Center through the clinical, financial, and administrative management of the program.
The Program Director represents the Child Advocacy Center in the community and assures effective working relationships among the disciplines, agencies, and departments essential to the success of the program.
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The LaRabida CAC is hiring a MDT Coordinator. This is a bilingual-Spanish position and the staff member will be cross trained in forensic interviewing.
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National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation
Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center was proud to host the 2018 annual meeting of the National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation at the center on September 25th! ChicagoCAC is a member of this coalition that works at the national level to promote policies and legislation that advance child sexual abuse prevention efforts.
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UCAN Executive Director, Sharon Clagg, received the "Making A Difference" award from the Carlinville Chamber of Commerce!
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Trivia Night - Get your friends together and join UCAN at Trivia Night!
Friday, November 16th @ Jerseyville KC Hall
Doors open at 6 PM Trivia starts at 7 PM
$100 per table with a limit of 8 players per table. Please call 618-494-6430 Ext 401 to reserve your table!
Teams are allowed to bring your own snacks. Beverages/snacks/candy will be available for purchase.
50 / 50 Drawing and Raffle Baskets!
If you wish to donate a basket or items for the raffle, please contact our office.
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Chefs enter the Winners Circle at 10th Annual
MEN WHO COOK
JOLIET – The chefs have crossed the finish line and the results are in from the 10th Annual MEN WHO COOK culinary competition and fundraiser benefit the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center.
State’s Attorney James Glasgow, who established the Children’s Advocacy Center in 1995, presented 1st place winner medallions to the following amateur chefs who were voted the best cooks at this year’s wildly successful competition at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 22.
Appetizers: NASCAR Nachos by Craig Gunty, Andrew McClellan, Paul Potts of the Channahon Police Department and Brian Wellner of Mahoney, Silverman & Cross.
Side Dishes: Corn Cakes by Patrick, Brett, Tyler, and grandfather, Jim Marcum
Entrée: Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Homemade Applesauce and Fennel Slaw.by Joe Garbin of Farmer’s Insurance.
Dessert: Baklava by - Joliet Police Department Interim Chief Al Roechner
The State’s Attorney also presented a winner medallion to Chef Rick Jerding of the Joliet Country Club who received the most first place votes for his Duck Confit Quesadillas in this year’s newly created commercial/professional category.
The 2018 MEN WHO COOK, the first ever at the spacious Chicagoland Speedway location, was a huge success attended by well over 1,200 hungry guests who dined on bite-sized samples of food presented by our chefs. This year’s registered cooks included police chiefs and police officers, judges, local elected officials, candidates, and union tradesmen.
“I am always amazed by the incredibly creative dishes that our amateur chefs serve our guests at MEN WHO COOK,” said State’s Attorney Glasgow. “They raise the stakes and outdo themselves each and every year. And it’s as much fun to talk with our cooks about their dishes as it is to sample their cuisine as I make the rounds.”
State’s Attorney Glasgow also honored Pipefitters Local 597 with the Glen Marcum Selfless Dedication To Community Service Award during this year’s competition. He presented the honor to the Pipefitters for graciously opening the doors to their Mokena training center for the annual competition for seven years. The honor also recognizes the hard work performed by Pipefitters apprentices every year on the evening of the event. MEN WHO COOK has outgrown the large training center.
All proceeds from the annual event benefit the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, which has been bringing hope, healing, and justice to sexually abused children for more than two decades. State’s Attorney Glasgow thanked all of the cooks, sponsors, and guests whose attendance and support help the not-for-profit center continue its important mission.
Presenting sponsors of the 2018 MEN WHO COOK include CITGO, Leopardo Companies, Waste Management, Midland States Bank, Sewer & Tunnel Miners Laborers Local 2, Ed Czerkies, D Construction, and Chicagoland Speedway.
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[State’s Attorney Glasgow with Joe Garbin of Farmer’s Insurance and his first-place entrée winning Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Homemade Applesauce and Fennel Slaw.]
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[State’s Attorney Glasgow with Team Marcum: Patrick, Brett, Tyler, and their grandfather, Jim Marcum and their first-place winning Corn Cakes in the side dish category.]
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[State’s Attorney Glasgow with members of the MEN WHO COOK team from the Channahon Police Department and Mahoney, Silverman & Cross Law Firm & their award-winning NASCAR Nachos. The team dressed up as characters from “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.”]
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AmazonSmile is donating
5%
(
ten times the usual amount
)
to
C
hildren's
A
dvocacy
C
enters Of
I
llinois
when you shop at
through Nov 2nd
#AmazonSmile #StartWithaSmile
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400 South Ninth Street, Suite 400
Springfield, Illinois 62701
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