Forensic Interview Training - Part II

A two-day course that builds on the skills taught at the four-day program. The focus is on review of participant recorded, investigating perpetrators and courtroom strategy from both prosecution and defense perspectives. The goal is to enhance participant forensic interview skills, identify strengths and weaknesses, and increase the effectiveness of child sexual abuse investigators. On-site course fee is $725 per person. Contact First Witness for off-site fees.

Team Development

An eight-hour course that offers practical training in developing a creative and productive multidisciplinary team. Cost is $1,500 per team. Class size is limited to 20 people.

Customized Training at your site

First Witness trainers are available to prepare and present customized training at your site. Topics are flexible and are determined by your program or team needs. Both skill-based classes and general purpose educational programs are available. Any combination of our training programs can be adapted to your specific group.

Video Conferencing at the First Witness Center offers interactive training options.

Trainers

Dr. Johnna Garrison trainer@firstwitness.org

Johanna Garrison EdD, has been a forensic interview trainer for First Witness since 1999. Johanna has traveled throughout the United States working with a variety of multidisciplinary teams and specialized groups to assist them in learning more about forensic interviewing and related topics. She uses her experiences working with both sexual abuse victims and abusers to enhance her presentations. Johanna has worked with a variety of professionals including: social workers, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, therapists, psychologists, corrections officers, counselors and educators. She is available to work with groups to develop customized training that meets their unique needs and interests. Dr. Garrison is also an Assistant Professor for the University of Minnesota Duluth's Department of Social Work, where she teaches graduate courses on Child Welfare and the Law. She has extensive experience in case management, crisis intervention, individual, group and family therapy as well as developing and providing professional training.

Scott Miller trainer@firstwitness.org

Scott is a contract trainer and forensic interviewer. He is responsible for conducting forensically sound interviews of children suspected of being physically or sexually abused as part of a criminal investigation. Scott conducts trainings nationally on how to conduct interviews with children and works from a multidisciplinary team approach in the investigatoin of child abuse. Scott is also the Program Manager for the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project in Duluth, MN. He is responsible for maintaining an effective coordinated community response to domestic violence which includes quality programming for men who batter. Scott also co-facilitates a men?s nonviolence class and is a trainer on the subject with the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project's Training and Resources Team. Scott Miller has been working in the women's movement since 1985.

Mike Schiltz trainer@firstwitness.org

Michael Schiltz retired from the Duluth, Minnesota, police department as a sergeant in September of 2005 after serving 26 years. He spent most of his career investigating or supervising investigations of child abuse, child neglect, and sexual assault crimes. Since 2003, Mr. Schiltz has trained multi-disciplinary teams nationwide in forensic interviewing, team development, sex crimes investigations and other related topics. He has trained groups in Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Tennessee, Montana and Indiana. He has taught sex assault and sex abuse investigation practices at the Fon du Lac Community and Tribal College, Willmar Community College and Hibbing Community College - all in Minnesota - as well as taught media relations to journalism students at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Michael is a Past-President of Minnesota Sex Crimes Investigators Association.

For more information on any training program, contact First Witness:
Tel: 218.727.8353 | Toll Free: 877.599.9995 | Fax: 218.727.3747 | info@firstwitness.org

First Witness training evolved from an actual child abuse resource center

The First Witness International Training Center had its roots in a child abuse resource center that opened in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1993. The Center was the initiative of a collaboration of public and private agencies responsible for the investigation, assessment, prosecution and medical intervention of children who report abuse. Prior to the First Witness project, children who reported abuse were likely to be interviewed 4-5 times during the course of investigation assessment. Those involved with the process saw the need for change.

First Witness became a charter member of the National Children's Alliance. Today, the Center is a resource for area communities to facilitate forensic interviews and provide support services for children.

The forensic interview process developed by the First Witness Child Abuse Resource Center has grown to be recognized internationally. Each person trained in the process is making his or her community a safe place for children to grow and thrive.