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DIANNA SMOOT Chief Education & Training Officer
LANA AHRENS, LMSW Director of Training & Community Outreach
BRITTANY MCGOWAN, MSW
Assistant Director of Training & Community Outreach
YURI BETANCOURT-BOYA, MSW
Bilingual Training & Community Outreach Specialist
CARLOS RUBIO, MSW
Bilingual Training & Community Outreach
Specialist
DCAC believes education and training are one of the community’s best defenses against those who seek to harm children. DCAC’s education team delivers high-quality training for professionals working in the field of crimes against children, mandated reporters, parents, and the community at large. Our in-person and video-based curricula addresses a gap in the marketplace for comprehensive child abuse training.
DCAC’s education team first began its community education initiative in Dallas County and has now made its programs appropriate for national use.

The DCAC Lecture Series is held at various times throughout the year in DCAC’s stateof-the-art training facility. Lecture Series is designed for the sole purpose of providing training to only those people employed by governmental and non-profit agencies in the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, social work, children’s advocacy, therapy, probation, parole, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime and whose intent is to help children in their healing process.
Registration is limited to professionals employed in governmental and non-profit agencies who work directly with children and families. Please note, some trainings are further restricted to only those professionals in the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, social work, children’s advocacy, therapy, probation, parole, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime whose intent is to help children in their healing process.
DCAC staff reserves the right to refuse registration and/or admissions to any individual who does not meet these criteria. If you have any questions about your registration, please email Lana Ahrens at lahrens@dcac.org
LEARN MORE
https://dcac.org/training/lecture-series/




LARRY BRAUNSTEIN, J.D. Braunstein & Zuckerman, Esqs
JIM TANNER, PH.D. President | KBSolutions Inc.
GRAHAM HILL, PH.D. Criminologist & Former Senior Detective
In-Person Only
https://cvent.me/MbzORg
Trident Training was created by three internationally recognized experts each of whom train thousands of professionals annually. Trident Training is offering a unique two-day in person masterclass that aims to promote and strengthen multi agency discussion in relation to adults who sexually assault children. This special two-day masterclass is designed for an audience that includes law enforcement, CPS/DSS case workers, forensic interviewers, prosecutors (civil and criminal), medical professionals, probation officers, therapists, victim advocates, and CASA volunteers.
OCTOBER 9 - 10, 2025 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM CT




NANCY OGLESBY
Trainer & Consultant | Justice 3D
MIKE MILNOR
Trainer & Consultant | Justice 3D
ROBIN FOSTER
Trainer & Consultant | Justice 3D
REGISTER HERE
In-Person Only
https://cvent.me/ZMzA3a
Child abuse and child homicide cases are extremely difficult to investigate. This is not only because of highly-charged emotions, but also because at first glance these cases frequently appear to be accidents. This course will be taught from a multi-disciplinary perspective with each instructor providing a unique viewpoint to these investigations. This intensive 3-day course will include:
• Preserving the Scene
• Documenting Corroborating Evidence
• Scene Re-enactment
• Empathy Based Interrogation
• Identifying Burns, Fractures and Bruises
• Understanding Difficult Medical Evidence
• Investigating Abusive Head Trauma
OCTOBER 15 - 17, 2025
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT




ELI MOLINA
Director of Forensic Services | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
HOLLY DOTSON
Sr. Director of Therapeutic Services | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
MEGGIE EVANS
Director of Clinical Services | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
This course is an introduction to the dynamics of child sexual abuse. Attendees will be educated on the dynamics of an investigation, the disclosure process, grooming behaviors, compliant victim characteristics, and trauma.
In-Person https://cvent.me/9wyRWk
Virtual https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/7015356325516617823
NOVEMBER 5, 2025 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT

NOVEMBER 6, 2025 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT SUSTAINING


ELENA DOSKEY DE LOBÓN, PH.D
Director of Clinical Training | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
In-Person https://cvent.me/WyqAva
Virtual
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/3784949378260725340
This training will provide a thorough overview on the Components for Enhancing Career Experience and Reducing Trauma (CE-CERT) model. Developed by Dr. Brian Miller, CECERT is a skills-based approach to improving provider well-being and effectiveness in working with primary traumatic stress. Drawing from what is known about trauma impacts and treatment, CE-CERT posits that secondary traumatic stress is not developed in response to mere exposure to others’ trauma stories but occurs when feeling overwhelmed or helpless. This and other past assumptions of clinician impacts will be discussed. In contrast to selfcare strategies that require the individual to engage in a restorative practice after-work, the CE-CERT model proposes micro-interventions done throughout the day.



ELENA DOSKEY DE LOBÓN,
PH.D
Director of Clinical Training | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
In-Person https://cvent.me/G1b707
Virtual https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/4503080004779842136
The potential deleterious impacts on professionals working with survivors of trauma are often discussed with limited attention to methods to minimize this secondary traumatic stress. This training will focus on implementing the CE-CERT skills into your supervisory roles within your agency. Developed by Dr. Brian Miller, CE-CERT is a skills-based approach to improving provider well-being and effectiveness in working with traumatized clients. Drawing from what is known about trauma impacts and treatment, CE-CERT posits that secondary traumatic stress is not developed in response to mere exposure to others’ trauma stories, but occurs when feeling overwhelmed or helpless. This and other past assumptions of clinician impacts will be discussed.
NOVEMBER 7, 2025 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT


JONAH STEWART
Interim
Executive Director
| Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE)
In this training, we present our findings and what they teach us about the unique risks that abused homeschooled children face. We provide an overview of homeschooling policy and research. We share our findings related to unique red flags, risk factors, and patterns of abuse associated with abusive homeschool environments, with a special focus on potential risks surrounding child sexual abuse. We conclude by discussing how policy and procedural gaps can lead to devastating outcomes for abused homeschooled children and potential interventions.
NOVEMBER 13, 2025 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT
5 Powerful Faith: The Hope and Harm of Spirituality in Abuse Cases
9 The CAC’s Role in Medical Coordination
* DCAC STAFF & PARTNERS ONLY | ** HOSTED TRAINING



JENNA QUINN
Namesake of Jenna’s Law & Founder of Reveal to Heal
ROBERT PETERS Founder | Coursing Justice
Virtual Only
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_IYUpVYFhTW2OR1jUC2vzIA
The session will include two impactful presentations:
• False Shepherds: Recognizing Spiritual Abuse and Distorted Theology in Exploitation Cases Presented by Robert Peters
• Restoring Hope Beyond the Evidence: Revealing the Hidden Spiritual Impact of Abuse Together Presented by Jenna Quinn
Following the presentations, there will be an extended Q&A segment where attendees can engage directly with the speakers. Submit your questions in advance during registration.
DECEMBER 5, 2025 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT



KELSEY MOORE
Doswell Foundation Medical Liason Coordinator | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
SARAH CONANT
Senior Social Work | REACH Clinic Children’s Medical Center Dallas
Virtual Only
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/ WN_eXwvdX2iRsyNI1xCU4MzIg
Per NCA Standards, CAC clients are entitled to trauma-informed medical care at our partnering medical clinics, but not all eligible clients receive this specialty healthcare. This session will provide an overview about why and how the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center’s Medical Coordination Program was developed, what the relationship looks like between DCAC and the partnering REACH Clinic, and how the Medical Coordination Program is implemented to serve CAC clients. Reassurance from medical professionals can be an integral part of the healing process for child victims, and by the end of this session attendees will be able to tailor the discussed strategies, policies, and procedures to their own CAC to enhance client access to care.
DECEMBER 9, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
Sustaining


ANDREW PADRUTT Detective | Irving Police Department
This comprehensive course is designed to equip participants with the best practices in search warrant writing, with a particular emphasis on electronic devices, cellular data, location history, and social media accounts. This course is beneficial for both experienced and newly assigned investigators. By the conclusion of the course, students will possess a robust understanding of the search warrant writing process and be well prepared for future investigations.
It is highly recommended that attendees bring a laptop with Google Earth Pro (free to download) and CastViz (free to download) for the class exercises on day 2.
In-Person https://cvent.me/eAKQEz
JANUARY 14 - 15, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT



ELENA DOSKEY DE LOBÓN, PH.D
Director of Clinical Training | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
This training will provide a thorough overview on the Components for Enhancing Career Experience and Reducing Trauma (CE-CERT) model. Developed by Dr. Brian Miller, CECERT is a skills-based approach to improving provider well-being and effectiveness in working with primary traumatic stress. Drawing from what is known about trauma impacts and treatment, CE-CERT posits that secondary traumatic stress is not developed in response to mere exposure to others’ trauma stories but occurs when feeling overwhelmed or helpless. This and other past assumptions of clinician impacts will be discussed. In contrast to selfcare strategies that require the individual to engage in a restorative practice after-work, the CE-CERT model proposes micro-interventions done throughout the day.
In-Person | DCAC Staff & Partners Only https://cvent.me/XM9l2Z
JANUARY 22, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT




Trainer & Consultant | Justice 3D


DR. JOEL COX
Trainer & Consultant | Justice 3D
This training is open to all first responder groups, including, but not limited to, law enforcement, prosecutors, fire/EMS, EMTs, dispatchers, corrections, probation, forensic nurses and child protection workers. Additionally, retired first responders, as well as civilian peer support and mental health clinicians who are working in first responder wellness, are encouraged to attend. Anyone working in the criminal justice arena would benefit from this course.
In-Person
https://www.justice3d.com/events/wellnessfor-front-line-supervisors-feb-2026
Registration is $325 per student.
FEBRUARY 11, 2026
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM CT




Trainer & Consultant | Justice 3D


DR. JOEL COX
Trainer & Consultant | Justice 3D
This training is open to all first responder groups, including, but not limited to, law enforcement, prosecutors, fire/EMS, EMTs, dispatchers, corrections, probation, forensic nurses and child protection workers. Additionally, retired first responders, as well as civilian peer support and mental health clinicians who are working in first responder wellness, are encouraged to attend. Anyone working in the criminal justice arena would benefit from this course.
In-Person https://www.justice3d.com/events/ resiliency-training-for-first-responders-feb2026-5kpwr
Registration is $325 per student.
FEBRUARY 12, 2026 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM CT

MEET OUR SPEAKER

Naperville Police Department HIgh Tech Crime Unit | Detective (RET)
Law Enforcement and School Officials must know how to proactively respond to threats of school violence online. Especially when there is on line “Leakage” threatening students and school personnel. Being trained to identify the perpetrator immediately provides Law Enforcement and School Officials the ability to act quickly and effectively to reduce the threat of school shootings and other forms of violence.
REGISTER HERE
In-Person https://cvent.me/zqZ8zM
FEBRUARY 18 - 20, 2026 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT


DR. JACQUELYN CAMPBELL
Professor | Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
In-Person https://cvent.me/gbmrXw
Registration does not include cost of Certification Test. Attendees may purchase separately at a cost of $25.
For more than 30 years, the Danger Assessment (DA) has been used by domestic violence advocates, healthcare professionals, and criminal justice systems to help abused women see for themselves how much danger they are in. The DA is the only risk assessment specifically designed to predict fatal or lifethreatening intimate partner violence. It has been rigorously validated in two major, multisite research studies and six smaller studies.
The DA aids in forming an accurate understanding of the risk of being killed which can help agencies work with victims to coordinate medical, legal, and advocacy services across the domestic violence response system.
FEBRUARY 26, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT
5 - 6 Fundamentals of Interview and Interrogation
* DCAC STAFF & PARTNERS ONLY | ** HOSTED TRAINING



DARREL LAMBERT
Detective | Austin Police Department
VAL DE LOS SANTOS
Detective | Austin Police Department
In this course, the student will learn how to be successful in the interview room with criminal suspects. The student will be part of a group working through a scenario. The student will learn how to plan their interview, contact the suspect, ask questions, detect deception, present evidence, and interrogate. This 2-day course provides 16 hours of TCOLE credit.
In-Person https://cvent.me/0Bqqa1
MARCH 5 - 6, 2026 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT



ELENA DOSKEY DE LOBÓN, PH.D
Director of Clinical Training | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
In-Person https://cvent.me/Kdq8KV
Virtual https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/5235312970049915485
This training will provide a thorough overview on the Components for Enhancing Career Experience and Reducing Trauma (CE-CERT) model. Developed by Dr. Brian Miller, CECERT is a skills-based approach to improving provider well-being and effectiveness in working with primary traumatic stress. Drawing from what is known about trauma impacts and treatment, CE-CERT posits that secondary traumatic stress is not developed in response to mere exposure to others’ trauma stories but occurs when feeling overwhelmed or helpless. This and other past assumptions of clinician impacts will be discussed. In contrast to selfcare strategies that require the individual to engage in a restorative practice after-work, the CE-CERT model proposes micro-interventions done throughout the day.
APRIL 9, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT



ELENA DOSKEY DE LOBÓN, PH.D
Director of Clinical Training | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
In-Person https://cvent.me/8QRAxr
Virtual
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/7805651197906529622
The potential deleterious impacts on professionals working with survivors of trauma are often discussed with limited attention to methods to minimize this secondary traumatic stress. This training will focus on implementing the CE-CERT skills into your supervisory roles within your agency. Developed by Dr. Brian Miller, CE-CERT is a skills-based approach to improving provider well-being and effectiveness in working with traumatized clients. Drawing from what is known about trauma impacts and treatment, CE-CERT posits that secondary traumatic stress is not developed in response to mere exposure to others’ trauma stories, but occurs when feeling overwhelmed or helpless. This and other past assumptions of clinician impacts will be discussed.
APRIL 10, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT




ELI MOLINA
Director of Forensic Services | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
HOLLY DOTSON
Sr. Director of Therapeutic Services | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
MEGGIE EVANS
Director of Clinical Services | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
This course is an introduction to the dynamics of child sexual abuse. Attendees will be educated on the dynamics of an investigation, the disclosure process, grooming behaviors, compliant victim characteristics, and trauma.
In-Person https://cvent.me/NLXkvY
Virtual https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/3020896552616938325
APRIL 16, 2026 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT


DR. MANDY SANCHEZ Director of Programming | Culture
Reframed
REGISTER HERE
In-Person https://cvent.me/aWldQE
A professional training for MDTs on the intersections and impacts of pornography, social media, gaming, AI, and trafficking on child safety and wellbeing
This multidisciplinary training provides child advocacy professionals with the knowledge and tools to understand how social media and gaming platforms, pornography sites, and emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies create new pathways for grooming, exploitation, and trafficking. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the social, behavioral, and psychological impacts of hypersexualized and pornified media on youth, as well as the ways offenders use technology to exploit vulnerabilities.
View full course descriptions here
APRIL 21, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT


DR. MANDY SANCHEZ
Director of Programming | Culture Reframed
This presentation will explore the most popular social media platforms accessed by young people today, linking the social media and porn industries and the harmful effects of their exposure on young people.
Focusing on the public health approach, this presentation highlights how CR helps parents and professionals who work with young people to navigate this precarious terrain of hypersexualized social media and pornography. We will discuss our researchdriven online courses and resources for parents and professionals, including our Porn-Critical Sex Education Curriculum.
View full course description here.
In-Person https://cvent.me/GONVXR
APRIL 21, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CT

NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING CENTER
Develop the skills and techniques to conduct developmentally appropriate forensic interviews with victims of child sex trafficking. Learn the differences between interviewing children in child abuse cases and interviewing child sex trafficking victims. Review victimcentered interview methodology with special emphasis given to understanding the factors contributing to child sex trafficking victimization and the impact on development and effects of trauma. Learn to gather information regarding the use of technology in the child sex trafficking business model and the multitude of crimes that traffickers commit, including the use of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
In-Person
Link TBD
APRIL 29 - MAY 1, 2026 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM CT





ANDREW PADRUTT
Detective | Irving Police Department
DAVE CLARK
Detective | Dallas Police Department
KRISTEN KING
Detective | Dallas Police Department
COREY FOREMAN
Detective | Dallas Police Department
More information coming soon!
In-Person Link TBD
MAY 5, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT


JANETH PETERSON
Assistant Director of Forensic Services | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
Screening children for sexual abuse can be overwhelming and often times contains critical information for an investigation. In this training, attendees will learn how to screen children for sexual abuse, what questions to ask if a child discloses, when to stop questioning, and how to determine when a case should be seen at a Child Advocacy Center for a forensic interview.
In-Person | DFPS Only https://cvent.me/G3YnRb
MAY 14, 2026 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM CT




MARISHA DEVORE
Assistant Director of Support Services | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
CLAUDIA MARTINEZ
Family Advocate Team Lead | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
FARLEY MORRIS
Family Advocate | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
REGISTER HERE
Virtual Only Link TBD
More information coming soon!
JUNE 4, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT
9 Sustaining You In Your Career Using CE-CERT



ELENA DOSKEY DE LOBÓN, PH.D
Director of Clinical Training | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
REGISTER HERE
In-Person https://cvent.me/aaLzwl
This training will provide a thorough overview on the Components for Enhancing Career Experience and Reducing Trauma (CE-CERT) model. Developed by Dr. Brian Miller, CECERT is a skills-based approach to improving provider well-being and effectiveness in working with primary traumatic stress. Drawing from what is known about trauma impacts and treatment, CE-CERT posits that secondary traumatic stress is not developed in response to mere exposure to others’ trauma stories but occurs when feeling overwhelmed or helpless. This and other past assumptions of clinician impacts will be discussed. In contrast to selfcare strategies that require the individual to engage in a restorative practice after-work, the CE-CERT model proposes micro-interventions done throughout the day.
JULY 9, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT



Internationally recognized, the Crimes Against Children Conference is the largest conference of its kind, providing practical and interactive instruction to those fighting crimes against children and helping children heal. There were almost 5,000 professionals from around the world in attendance in 2025!
The conference is presented annually by the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center. The conference is conducted to provide training to those employed by government or nonprofit agencies in the fields of law enforcement, child protective services, social work, children’s advocacy, therapy, and medicine who work directly with child victims of crime.
https://cacconference.org/
AUGUST 2 - 6, 2026
DCAC STAFF & PARTNERS ONLY | ** HOSTED TRAINING 16 - 18 Forensic Interviewer at Trial



ELI MOLINA
Director of Forensic Services | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
JENNIFER SAWYER
Assistant District Attorney | Dallas County DA’s Office
This course is designed for teams of two, consisting of one attorney and one forensic interviewer from the same MDT. Teams will learn to work together in preparation for a child abuse trial. This course will enhance the ability of the forensic interviewer and prosecutor participants (or civil child protection attorney) to defend the forensic interview and multidisciplinary team investigation from attacks by the defense. Prosecutors will learn how to effectively cross examine a defense expert. Forensic Interviewers will learn how to effectively defend their forensic interview in court. Prosecutors will gain skills to support the forensic interviewer and the prosecution in a child abuse case.
In-Person | Forensic Interviewers & Prosecutors Only https://cvent.me/5q7Odq
SEPTEMBER 16 - 18, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT
1 - 2 Sexual Assault of Children 360
* DCAC STAFF & PARTNERS ONLY | ** HOSTED TRAINING




LARRY BRAUNSTEIN, J.D. Braunstein & Zuckerman, Esqs
JIM TANNER, PH.D. President | KBSolutions Inc.
GRAHAM HILL, PH.D. Criminologist & Former Senior Detective
In-Person Only
https://cvent.me/MOXKdk
Trident Training was created by three internationally recognized experts each of whom train thousands of professionals annually. Trident Training is offering a unique two-day in person masterclass that aims to promote and strengthen multi agency discussion in relation to adults who sexually assault children. This special two-day masterclass is designed for an audience that includes law enforcement, CPS/DSS case workers, forensic interviewers, prosecutors (civil and criminal), medical professionals, probation officers, therapists, victim advocates, and CASA volunteers.
OCTOBER 1 - 2, 2026 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM CT


MADELINE REEDY Chief Program Officer | Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
October 28, 2025 https://cvent.me/Rv079l
ABUSIVE MINDS THINK ALIKE


BEYOND COVID-19: CACS IN THE AGE OF DISTANCE SERVICES AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

I CAN’T ASK THAT RECOGNIZE, RESPONSE, RECLAIM, AND REPORT VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING


SEXUAL ABUSE DYNAMICS

SCREENING FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN THE FIELD (DFPS ONLY)
Access DCAC online trainings by sending your first and last name, title, organization and email address to education@dcac.org
Visit https://dcac.learnupon.com/store for more information.