Course Details

You must first apply through the Anna Crawford Children's Center at https://annacrawfordcac.org.

ChildFirst, formerly known as Finding Words, is an intensive five-day course in which students learn the necessary skills to conduct an investigative, forensic interview of a suspected victim of child abuse. This interactive course includes lectures; skill-building exercises; the review of recorded interviews; homework reading assignments; and a written examination at the end of the course. Participants also must conduct a 40-minute interview of a professional actor portraying the role of a sexually abused child. Upon completion of the mock interview, the interviewer receives constructive feedback from a professional forensic interviewer and a group of fellow students. Participants will receive a class manual and flash drive containing current and relevant literature and research.

Students must be be actively serving on their local child abuse multidisciplinary team.

The Child Victim Investigation Fundamentals course offered at GPSTC is recommended but not a prerequisite.