Spring 2023 Conference

MO-AFCC Spring Conference

The Missouri Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (MO-AFCC)

Bringing the Voice of a Child into Court: Tools and Techniques for Interviewing Children and Teens
April 14, 2023 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. via Zoom

Scroll down to register now!
CLE: 6.3 hours approved for Ethics and Elimination of Bias Credits;
CEU: 5.25 (1.25 Cultural Competence, 4.0 Ethics) hours approved
APA: 5.25 hours approved
GAL: 6.3 hours approved

Brought to you in part through the generous support of our sponsors:

Agenda

7rday, April 14, 2023 (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. - Interviewing Children with Non-Normative Needs and Unique Considerations with Jill Puertas, JD
10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Break
10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. - Forensic Interviews: What to Expect When Working With a Children's Advocacy Center with Sarah Norman, MSW, LCSW
11:45 a.m. - Noon - Missouri AFCC Annual Meeting, Election, and Ellen Cowell Award Presentation
Noon - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch Break
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Understanding the Voice of a Child: Developmental Considerations, Approaches and Techniques to Use When Interviewing Children with Carol Love, MA, LMFT, and Jill Katz, JD, PLPC
2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - Break
2:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Interviewing Teens with Erika Ottolini, LPC, and Kevin Chafin, LPC

In-Person Social Hour
Finally, let's connect after the conference with Free Appetizers and Drinks!

St. Louis - CJ Muggs, 200 S. Central Ave., Clayton - 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Columbia - Taphouse (Old Johnny's Beanery), 212 Green Meadows Dr., Columbia - 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Springfield - Vino Cellars, 2137 W Republic Rd, Springfield - 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

About Our Presenters

Kevin Chafin, LPC - Kevin Chafin is a Licensed Professional Counselor and mediator in private practice. Coparenting counseling is a large part of Kevin’s practice, often with high conflict families. He is a presenter on topics related to mediation as well as court involved counseling with parents and children. Kevin lives and practices in Kansas City, Missouri. He is a past president of the board of the Missouri Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (moafcc.org)

Jill Katz, JD, PLPC - Jill is a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor under the supervision of Amy Munce, LPC. For over 30 years as a family law attorney, Jill was a tireless advocate for children and guided parents through relationship transitions. As a therapist she supports people and gives them the tools to thrive as parents regardless of circumstances. She works with individuals and couples with a focus on co-parenting, relationship changes, and custody issues– overall helping families redefine their relationships for the future through changes and separations. She applies a variety of therapeutic techniques and interventions based on an individual’s or family’s needs.

Carol Love, MA, LMFT - Carol has been in practice over 30 years and has worked in numerous settings with children and families to address their unique issues and improve their relationships with one another. She has worked as a Domestic Relations Counselor at the St. Louis County Family Court and as the Clinical Director of Kids In The Middle, a local agency that provides services to families experiencing separation/divorce. She currently has a private practice where she sees children, coparents, and families who are separating/divorcing. Carol also does marriage/relationship counseling and coaches parents with children who have behavioral and mental health issues. She has done workshops and trainings on the local, state, and national level about divorce and related issues.

Sarah Norman, MSW, LCSW - Sarah is Manager of Forensic Services at Children's Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis, located at the Kathy J. Weinman Children's Advocacy Centre on the campus of the University of Missouri - St. Louis, where she also received her MSW. In this role, Sarah oversees the daily operation of their forensic team and ensures adherence to the standards of the National Children's Alliance. She also has experience working in multi-disciplinary settings in hospitals and schools in the St. Louis area providing trauma-focused therapy and related services to patients, students and their families, as well as training and support for other social work professionals.

Erika Ottolini, LPC - Erika, the founder and lead therapist at Artemis Counseling, has worked with adolescents and their families for over 25 years. She has extensive experience with adolescent development, depression, anxiety, and is an expert in helping teens and their parents navigate the journey from one home to two as families transition through divorce. She has advanced degrees and specialized certifications in many evidence-based approaches. She specializes in insight-oriented Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. She works to facilitate growth for teens, support for parents, reunification for families and improved communication for holistic family health both in her private practice and as a Divorce Coach and Child Specialist within the St. Louis Collaborative Family Law Association.

Jill Puertas, JD - Jill Puertas, owner of the Law Offices of Jill Puertas, LLC, received her BA from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and her JD from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1997. In her work as a Guardian Ad Litem, Jill specifically prefers appointments in cases involving children with special needs, as she has extensive experience with children diagnosed with developmental disorders, such as Autism. She is well versed in the IEP process and has a vast knowledge of the local resources available to parents and children. Jill is also a certified mediator and parenting coordinator and serves on the St. Louis County Court Mediation and Parent Coordination Oversight Committee. In addition to practicing law, Jill is a licensed foster parent, a legal advocate for children with special needs, a volunteer in the St. Louis County Domestic Violence Court, serves on the Legislative Committee for St. Louis ARC, and is a member of Autism Speaks and the Panhandle Autism Society. Jill is also a member of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Missouri Bar Association, the Florida Bar Association, and the National Association of Professional Women.

Cancellations

No refunds will be issued.