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Advocacy

About Advocacy Training

Training for Advocates Working with a Child Advocacy Center

An investigation of alleged child abuse and potential legal proceedings can be stressful for families. An advocate can provide much-needed support, information, and resources for families and non-offending caregivers.

First Witness Child Advocacy Center’s advocacy program bridges the gap between individual advocacy with one victim and system-based advocacy that creates change for many victims. This contrasts with more restrictive advocacy models that are based on delivering services identified by practitioners and systems rather than victims. 

This training meets all essential training components in the 2023 National Children’s Alliance (NCA) Standard of Victim Advocacy and has been approved by the NCA. 

This training encompasses:

  • Society, Beliefs, and the Impact of Advocacy
  • 6 Core Principles of Social Change Advocacy
  • Child Sexual Abuse Dynamics
  • MDT and Child Advocacy Centers
  • Victim Rights and Compensation
  • Trauma Informed Services
  • Crisis Assessment and Intervention Skills
  • Risk Assessment and Safety Planning
  • Active Advocacy
  • Advocate Credibility
  • Boundaries and Ethics
  • System Change
  • Prevention Messaging in Work with Families
  • Cultural Responsiveness and Addressing Explicit Biases
  • Caregiver Resilience
  • Domestic Violence and Polyvictimization
  • Referral Methods

Through hands-on practice, participants will learn how to put advocacy principles into action, including:  

  • Examining advocacy principles through the lens of their organization, 
  • changing organizations and systems, and  
  • creating programs and interventions that meet victims’ needs. 

Advocacy

COURSE FULL – Waitlist now available. If you sign up for the waitlist, your final registration will be confirmed no later than 10/28/24.  … Learn More

November 4, 6, & 8, 2024

Format: Online

Register

Advocacy

This training meets all essential training components in the 2023 National Children’s Alliance (NCA) Standard of Victim Advocacy and has been approved by the… Learn More

February 24, 26, & 28, 2025

Format: Online

Register

Advocacy

This training meets all essential training components in the 2023 National Children’s Alliance (NCA) Standard of Victim Advocacy and has been approved by the… Learn More

May 13–15, 2025

Format: In-Person

Register

Advocacy

This training meets all essential training components in the 2023 National Children’s Alliance (NCA) Standard of Victim Advocacy and has been approved by the… Learn More

August 26–28, 2025

Format: In-Person

Register

Advocacy

This training meets all essential training components in the 2023 National Children’s Alliance (NCA) Standard of Victim Advocacy and has been approved by the… Learn More

November 3, 5, & 7, 2025

Format: Online

Register

Meet Your Advocacy Trainers!

Ryan Prouty

Ryan Prouty

Prevention Education Coordinator/Family Advocate and Trainer
Ashley Krois

Ashley Krois

Lead Family Advocate and Trainer/Cultural Equity Specialist
Kristen Jones

Kristen Jones

Family Advocate and Trainer