The Children’s Alliance of Montana provides assistance to Children’s Advocacy Centers and Multi-Disciplinary teams across Montana. Current programs available include:
CAM and MCSART host an Annual Children’s Justice Conference. This training is attended by numerous MDT professionals across the State.
Law enforcement and Child Protective Services respond to numerous calls and complaints each year. All investigators are trained in basic investigative skills, however, crimes involving children require specialized training to be effectively investigated and prosecuted. Prosecutors need specialized training to prosecute these sensitive cases. Each year, CAM partners with other agencies across the state to bring in affordable investigative trainings for Law Enforcement, Child Protective Services, and Prosecutors specifically related to crimes against children.
The Medical and Mental Health professionals who ensure the health and well being of our
children are very crucial MDT members as well. CAM commits to working with partners to bring foundational and advanced training for these disciplines.
Forensic Interviewers, Victim Advocates, MDT Coordinators and CAC Staff are instrumental for the successful implementation of CACs and MDTs. CAM works with state, regional and national partners to ensure these disciplines receive initial and advanced trainings.
For specific dates and programs, please refer to our training calendar or the latest edition of our CAM Newsletter.
CAM members are dedicated to providing the best services possible to the children and families we serve. Numerous trainings are conducted across the state by individuals and groups associated with CAM, and it is our goal to provide any assistance possible to help with these trainings. Specific trainings will be advertised on our training calendar, and can be accessed here (link to calendar). Though financial assistance may not be directly available, our members can offer valuable insight into funding sources, training dynamics, and the planning of trainings across the state. Please feel free to contact the board members for assistance in preparing for, and hosting trainings.
If you are interested in finding out more information about Children’s Advocacy Centers or Multi-Disciplinary Teams, or if your community would like assistance in starting a team, please contact the CAM Executive Director or any one of our board members. CAM can send a team to your area to help you start the process and provide information to help with the accreditation process for CAC’s.
It is the goal of the CAM that every child has access to the services of a Children’s Advocacy Center. CAM and our members are dedicated to the children of Montana and are happy to share their expertise with your community. Below are links to documentation that can help with the process of setting up a CAC, expanding services, achieving accreditation and supporting staff.
Please take a minute to look at the resource below regarding National Accreditation Standards and Trauma Informed Care. These are great resources for CACs, MDTs and community and MDT partner agencies.
National Children’s Alliance Standards for Accreditation
NCA-Standards-for-Accredited-Members-2017
Putting Standards Into Practice – Practical application guide on how to meet the standards.
NCA2017-StandardsIntoPractice-web
Did you know that the 10 NCA Accreditation Standards are research based? See the Annotated Bibliography containing this research.
annotated-bibliography-standards-2nd
Additional resources are available on this Resource List.
The following websites may be useful to learn about child abuse, resources for victims, training opportunites, and reporting and identifying crimes against children:
National Children’s Alliance: http://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/
The National Children’s Advocacy Center: http://www.nationalcac.org/
The Midwest Regional CAC’s Online University — EduNet: http://mrcac.org
The Western Regional CAC: www.westernregionalcac.org
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children: http://www.apsac.org/
Prevent Child Abuse America: http://www.preventchildabuse.org/index.shtml
Child Welfare Information Gateway: https://www.childwelfare.gov/
Cornerhouse Interagency Child Abuse Evaluation and Training Center: https://www.cornerhousemn.org/index.html
Montana Department of Justice Childrens Justice Center: https://doj.mt.gov/childrensjustice/
Montana Department of Justice Sexual or Violent Offender Registry: https://doj.mt.gov/svor/
For more information regarding resources in your area, please visit our Members page and contact the representative closest to your community.
