Kids at Court: Trauma-Sensitive Strategies for Attorneys - Pittsburgh

This full-day conference is open to all attorneys who interact with children and youth in their courtroom practice, including, but not limited to, criminal, dependency, delinquency, civil, and domestic relations across Pennsylvania.

This conference will include both pre-recorded and live sessions. Content will cover oppression-based trauma; the neurobiological impact of trauma; understanding and utilizing forensic interviewing; trauma sensitive youth engagement through the life of a case; preparing the case, and the child, for court; experts and motions; strategies when children are in-trial and on-the-stand; and the attorney and secondary traumatic stress. The content has been informed by the perspective of those with lived experience. A 3-hour pre-requisite online training is required.

• 9.0 CLE credits (2.5 substantive/0.5 ethics for the online pre-requisite training; 4.5 substantive/1.5 ethics for the in-person conference)
• $100/ticket for general CLE, $50/ticket for CLE for public interest attorneys
• Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. No walk-ins are permitted.

Faculty and Advisors

• Crystal L. Austin, Ph.D., L.P. Assistant Professor of Instruction & Associate Program Coordinator, Temple University, Psychology Program
• Nadeem A Bezar, Esq. Partner, Kline & Specter
• Brenda Harkavy, Esq. Trial Attorney, Raynes & Lawn
• Constance Iannetta 3rd Generation Foster Care Alumna, Founder & Executive Director, FosterStrong
• Stacy Johnson
• Shakira Hansley Ellerson, J.D Policy & Advocacy Coalition Director, Voices for Children Coalition, CASA Youth Advocates
• Sarah Katz, Esq. Senior Fellow, Stoneleigh Foundation; and Clinical Professor of Law, Temple University Beasley School of Law
• Jane Kim, Esq. Program Director, Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center
• Amy Lynch, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, TBRI® Educator, SCFES Associate Professor Program In Occupational Therapy, Temple University, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
• Erin P. O'Brien, Esq., First Assistant District Attorney, Chester County District Attorney's Office
• Clara Roberti, MSW Bilingual Forensic Interviewer
• Sandra Simkins, Esq. Interim Dean of Students, Rutgers University
• Marcia Hopkins, MSW Social Worker and Advocate for Children and Youth
• Tamara L. Wilson, JD. Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Chester County Program Manager, CASA Youth Advocates serving Delaware and Chester Counties
• Adriana, Youth Voices Council Founding Member, CASA Youth Advocates Board of Directors Member
• Kiera D, Youth Voices Council Founding Member
• Patricia, Youth Voices Council Founding Member

Child Advocates Faculty and Project Staff

• Sarah Dlugos, Online Learning Coordinator
• Allie Dolan, MSS, LSW, Center for Excellence in Advocacy Training Coordinator
• Sydney Groll, Esq., Staff Attorney
• Meghan Johnson, MPH, Director of the Center for Excellence in Advocacy (CEA)
• Barry Kassel, Esq., Supervising Attorney
• Dana Morici, Esq., Staff Attorney Beth Perez, Esq., Director of Intake & Pro Bono

This project was supported by PCCD Subgrant #40052 awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The awarded funds originate with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The opinions, findings and conclusions expressed within this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of PCCD or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services