FAQs about ChildFirst™ Training
What should I bring to training?
Binders will be provided for you and are included in your registration cost. You may want to bring some water for the day. All other supplies will be provided. Lunch is provided only on Monday.
Can I use an iPad or laptop instead of a binder?
No.
How is the class structured?
ChildFirst is conducted daily for five consecutive days. A mix of traditional classroom instruction, lectures, breakout sessions, reading, and role-playing are used to ensure participants are prepared to understand the complexities and variability of forensic interviews. An exam will be held at the end of the week.
What if I need to miss part of the week?
Participants must attend the entire week in order to receive a certificate of completion.
How is the role-playing done?
One of the key parts of ChildFirst™ training is live mock interviews. Professional adult actors play the role of children and a trained and experienced forensic interviewer facilitates this teaching experience and provides feedback while a small group of students observes and also provides feedback. Actors respond, mimic, and speak with a vocabulary similar to a young child’s.
What makes ChildFirst™ better than other training programs?
ChildFirst stands out because it is interactive, research-based, and focused on the whole multidisciplinary model that is a hallmark of CACs. ChildFirst™ addresses all forms of maltreatment and focuses on the child’s well-being.
Are there any prerequisites to ChildFirst™ training?
Participants must be a qualifying member of a multidisciplinary team. Most attendees are law enforcement officers, forensic interviewers, or directors new to their roles. However, caseworkers, nurses, victim advocates, prosecutors, and medical and mental health personnel are frequently enrolled based on space and demand.
Is there an online option for training?
No. All training, like high-quality forensic interviews, is conducted in person.
Will I receive a certificate after completion?
Yes, participants who successfully complete 100% of the program, the mock interview, pass the exam, and have paid the registration costs will receive a certificate soon after completing training.
Are there scholarships or other ways to pay for the cost of training?
ICACC does not offer scholarships, but local grant sources may be available. Check with your local partners and foundations for options. The Indiana Youth Institute is another possibility.
What is the refund policy?
All courses are restricted to professionals tasked with investigating and/or assessing crimes against children. All applicants must be a member of an active MDT. Payment with application does not confirm registration. All applications will be reviewed. Applicants will receive an email informing them of acceptance or denial for the course prior to the course start. If an applicant is denied but has paid the fee, a refund will be issued to the original form of payment.
We do not offer refunds for paid registrations for any other reason. Applicants may request they change their registration to another date that the course is offered; however, you must use the registration within one year or forfeit the paid registration. You can request a modification by using the contact form below.
What is ICACC’s EIN and how can I pay?
Upon admission into the course, you will be charged or invoiced for the full cost. Invoices are due within 30 days. Online payment can be made with any major credit or debit card, and a 3% fee will be added to recover card processing costs. The Indiana Child Advocacy Center Coalition, Inc. handles billing. Our EIN is 38-3676759.