With Upstate South Carolina having the highest rates in the state of maltreatment reports, investigations, alternative responses and removal to foster care, the need for expert training in child welfare is crucial.

For the ninth year, the University of South Carolina Upstate’s Center for Child Advocacy Studies will host “A Brighter Future: Ending Child Abuse Through Advocacy and Education” for attorneys, counselors, educators, faith community, judges, law enforcement, nurses, physicians, psychologists, social workers, therapists, victim service professionals, and all other concerned community members on Friday, March 16. The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the University Readiness Center at 301 North Campus Boulevard.

“The intent of the conference is to impart a greater understanding of the problem of child abuse and the serious impact on child development and the community; to educate those working with children on how to recognize the warning signs and understand prevention and intervention methods; and a call to action for those working with children to stop child abuse,” said Dr. Jennifer Parker, professor of psychology and director of the Center for Child Advocacy Studies. “This conference, along with our academic programs and Child Protection Training Center, provides evidence-supported training for child protection workers in our region, as well as increasing awareness of the problem within the general community.”

Parker’s work is critical given that Spartanburg County has the highest rate for children who are referred to foster care and ranks higher in poverty rates for individuals, children, and families than Greenville, Richland, and Charleston. More than 28 percent of children in Spartanburg live below the poverty rate, which typically results in increased health risks and negative outcomes.

This year’s presenters and topics include…

• “The Brain Explains: A Trauma-Informed Approach for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence” — Linda Chamberlain, Ph.D., MPH, founder of the Alaska Family Violence Prevention Project, Juneau, Alaska
• “Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them” — James Garbarino, Ph.D., professor of psychology, Loyola University Chicago and author of “Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them.”
• “Reflections of a Brighter Future” — Nancy Henderson, M.D., medical director of Forensic Pediatrics, Greenville Children’s Hospital, Greenville, South Carolina, with special guests
• “Understanding Juveniles with Sexual Behavior Problems” — Victor Vieth, J.D., founder and senior director, Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center, Winona, Minn.

For registration and more information, call 864-503-5492 or visit www.uscupstate.edu/childadvocacyconference. Cost is $40 per person or $15 for students. Up to 6.25 hours of continuing education credit will be provided for a variety of professional groups. Refer to the web site for specific information.

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