Southern Illinois teams to participate in child abuse simulation training

The challenges of preventing and responding to cases of child abuse can be difficult, even to professionals familiar in their roles within social welfare agencies. To aid in improving care, child protection teams from two Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) in Franklin and Williamson counties and the seven southernmost counties in Illinois (Two Rivers CAC) will receive simulation training on February 21-22 in Carbondale.

The multidisciplinary groups will include investigators from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), child protection victim advocates, forensic interviewers, law enforcement, prosecutors and medical providers. The University of Illinois Springfield Alliance for Experiential Problem-Based Learning and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine are hosting the simulation training.

“These teams do critical work in children’s advocacy centers,” said Ginger Meyer, clinical director for the Children’s Medical and Mental Health Resource Network and project director of the Trauma-based Behavioral Health Fellowship at SIU Medicine. “Research suggests members work better together after training like this.”

During the training, the teams will simulate a child maltreatment case in a home setting. Participants will use their knowledge and experience to investigate the scenario in a realistic yet safe environment. Problem-based learning and collaborative decision-making will strengthen their communication and critical thinking skills throughout.

The UIS Alliance for Experiential Problem-Based Learning developed the professional program with support from a federal grant secured with the help of U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.