CLEARFIELD – The Pennsylvania Chapter of Children’s Advocacy Centers and Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs), in collaboration with Clearfield County’s CAC (CAC-CC), provided minimal facts training to local first responders and professionals who work directly with children.
According to District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr., the training was designed by the PA Chapter of CACs and MDTs to help counties throughout Pennsylvania better understand the importance of having a trained professional conduct the minimal facts interview of a child.
“Minimal facts interviews conducted by trained professionals help to protect disclosure, avoid interview duplication, reduce trauma, reduce taint, protect evidence and ensure best practice interventions for alleged child abuse victims,” Shaw said.
He noted there was representation on the part of the Lawrence Township, Clearfield Borough and Sandy Township police, Pennsylvania State Police – Troop C, Clearfield County Children, Youth and Family Services, Cen-Clear Child Services, Clearfield County League on Social Services, Community Action Inc., The Crossroads Project, PASSAGES Inc., Clearfield County Victim Witness, Glendale School District and Safe Haven.
He thanked Connie Miller and Mikele Bay for providing this training and the CAC-CC staff members for coordinating and hosting the training.
Shaw also thanked those who participated in the training, which he said is “vital.”
“We trained over 50 professionals who work directly with the children of our county to know what to do when a child is disclosing abuse,” he said.
Anyone with knowledge or information about a crime is asked to call Clearfield County Crime Stoppers at 800-376-4700.
All calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting the Clearfield County District Attorney Web site at “www.ClearfieldDA.org” and selecting “Report A Crime.”
