Each year, the Safe Child Center at Flagstaff Medical Center, local law enforcement and child protection agencies see hundreds of children who are suspected of being abused or who have been sexually or physically abused. Working with these children and their families requires a thorough knowledge of the laws surrounding child abuse as well as a great deal of care and compassion.

The Safe Child Center and the Coconino County Family Advocacy Council, in coordination with the Coconino County Attorney’s Office, Flagstaff Police Department, Coconino County Sheriff’s Department, Child Protective Services and Victim Witness Services, is hosting a free seminar to train those who deal with the victims of sexual and/or physical abuse. The seminar, “Child Abuse Protocol Training for Mandated Reporters,” is targeted at those who are mandated by law to report suspected abuse. Counselors, healthcare and education professionals, church leaders and pastors, victim advocates, law enforcement and court personnel are among those who should attend the seminar.

Topics covered will include laws surrounding child abuse, what to say and not to say to a child who has disclosed abuse, how to report the abuse, what happens during an investigation and other sensitive topics. The expert panel will include representatives from:
• Coconino County Attorney’s Office
• Coconino County Sheriff’s Office
• FMC Safe Child Center
• Victim/Witness Services
• Childhelp, Inc.

The seminar is from 1 – 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, at FMC’s McGee Auditorium, 1200 N. Beaver St.

For more information or to register for the seminar, contact Timi Fair, SCC, at 928 213-6371 or send an e-mail with your name, agency or group affiliation, title and phone number to FMCSafeChild@nahealth.com. Pre-registration is required.