20th ISPCAN International Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect: September 14–17, 2014

Sponsored by the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), the conference, "Towards Child-Centered Societies,” will cover a range of topics, including the prevention of child abuse and neglect through early and sustained involvement, interventions and programs for children and families experiencing adversity, addressing children’s rights and participation, reforms in child protection and welfare policy, children in out-of-home care, and evidence-based practices. More information about this event, to be held in Nagoya, Japan, is available online.

Strategies for Justice: Advanced Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse and Exploitation:
October 6–10, 2014

Hosted by the National District Attorneys Association, this multidisciplinary national training conference is designed to meet the needs of frontline child abuse professionals, including prosecutors, law enforcement, medical and mental health professionals, forensic interviewers, child advocates, and allied professionals. Topics include head trauma, high-tech crimes against children, working with male victims, working with autistic children, religious-based crimes, and human trafficking. During the conference, which will be held in Phoenix, AZ, the National Link Coalition will host its biannual Link Summit. The summit focuses on the co-occurrence of child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse with animal abuse. Registration closes September 29; more information is available online.

2014 Safe Schools Conference: October 8–9, 2014

This conference is designed to provide quality professional development opportunities for school administrators, student support personnel, teachers, school nurses, school resource officers, local law enforcement, and other community partners. Participants will hear from state and national experts about the latest research in school safety and violence prevention; learn about effective program models and promising practices; and attend institutes, general sessions, workshops, and plenary sessions. The conference will be presented by the Center for Safe Schools in Grantville, PA. More information is available online.

Today’s Native Leaders Community Service Academy: October 24–26, 2014

This event, sponsored by OJJDP and coordinated by United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY), will provide opportunities for tribal youth to develop their leadership skills and engage in community service projects in Indian country. Registration is free, and travel scholarships are available. The training will offer team-building activities and information on a range of topics, including how to develop youth-led community service projects, promote special events, and create a UNITY youth council. To be held in Fort Lauderdale, FL, this event will be followed by other regional trainings in Rapid City, IA; Spokane, WA; Palm Springs, CA; Saint Paul, MN; and Boston, MA. For information about registration and travel scholarships, send an e-mail or call UNITY at 480–718–9793.

121st Annual IACP Conference and Exposition: October 25–28, 2014

Featuring forums, technical workshops, and an exhibit hall, this annual event provides law enforcement professionals with opportunities to learn more about emerging trends in law enforcement and the latest developments in technology. The event is hosted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Registration information for the conference, to be held in Orlando, FL, is available online.

AMBER Alert Basic Forensic Missing Child Training: October 28–30, 2014

Sponsored by OJJDP, this training will provide guidance in the recognition, documentation, collection, and preservation of evidence from the time a child is reported missing until the case is resolved. Topics include preplanning, crime mapping and photography, trace evidence, fingerprints/palm prints, DNA/body fluids, composite sketching/forensic art, and electronic evidence. Hands-on, facilitated activities will allow participants to apply techniques taught in class. More information about this and other AMBER Alert training and technical assistance opportunities is available online.

Victim Advocacy Training: November 4–6, 2014

This training, which will be held in Huntsville, AL, is designed for victim advocates who are working with children and families in a Child Advocacy Center setting. The training will include foundational sessions on understanding the criminal justice system, dynamics of child abuse, crisis development and resolution, effective listening techniques, the impact of trauma on a child, the rights of crime victims, cultural considerations, and intervention strategies. Registration information for this event, which is sponsored by the National Children’s Advocacy Center, is available online.

National Youth-At-Risk Conference: November 6–8, 2014

Hosted by the National Youth At-Risk Center of Georgia Southern University, this conference will train adults who serve youth to create safe, healthy, caring, and intellectually empowering educational environments. Participants will learn about current research-based educational programs and strategies that empower young people to overcome at-risk conditions that may threaten their safety, health, emotional needs, or academic achievement. Registration information for the conference, which will be held in Las Vegas, NV, is available online.

2014 American Society of Criminology Meeting: November 19–22, 2014

The theme for the American Society of Criminology’s (ASC’s) 2014 meeting, to be held in San Francisco, CA, is “Criminology at the Intersections of Oppression.” ASC is the largest professional criminological society in the world and includes practitioners, academicians, and students in the fields of criminal justice and criminology. More information about the meeting, including the program, hotel arrangements, and registration, is available online.

10th Annual Global Youth Justice Training Institute: December 2–4, 2014

Global Youth Justice will host its 10th Global Youth Justice Training Institute in Las Vegas, NV. Participants will learn strategies to establish or enhance local youth justice diversion programs through teen, student, youth, and peer courts and peer juries. Topics will include training youth and adult volunteers; providing quality community services, programs, and referrals; conducting mock family intake meetings; grant writing; funding opportunities; and more. Registration information is available online.

14th National Indian Nations Conference: December 11–13, 2014

Featuring the theme “Generational Voices Uniting for Safety, Justice, and Healing,” this conference will be held on the reservation of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in Palm Springs, CA. The event is being coordinated by the Tribal Law and Policy Institute under a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime. The conference will provide opportunities for tribal, state, and federal participants to share knowledge, experiences, and ideas for developing and improving strategies and programs that serve the unique needs of crime victims in Indian country. More information is available online.