Association of Professionals Solving the Abuse of Children. In partnership with The New York Foundling
This event has completed.

The New York Foundling & APSAC Webinar Series on Controversial Topics
8/13/2025 - 8/13/2025
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Eastern Time

Event Description

Skill Level: Introductory/ Intermediate 
General Admission (individual session): 
$30.00
APSAC Members and The New York Foundling Staff Admission: Free
1 CE Credit (Social Work & Psychology) Non-Members: $30.00
1 CE Credit (Social Work & Psychology) APSAC Members and NY Foundling: $20.00
APSAC Members: You will receive your discount automatically when registering.
The New York Foundling Staff: Please email FontanaCenter@nyfoundling.org to request your entry code.

We would love to see you! Please be prepared to have your camera on whenever possible. It helps create a more connected and engaging experience for everyone. If you need to turn it off, we trust you to take care of yourself. If you are requesting continuing education credit, being on camera is required for verification purposes. We appreciate your understanding and participation!


Title: Are Minimal Facts Interviews the Best Practice

Presenter: Detective (ret.) Mike Johnson

Description: The primary mandate of a Child Advocacy Center is to provide its multidisciplinary team with an immediate response to an outcry in a trauma-informed and victim- and family-friendly facility.  Many CACs have now created an additional layer that delays the start of an investigation and protective intervention – the Minimal Facts Interview.
 
Training First Responders (Law Enforcement/Patrol Officers, DHR/CPS) on how to conduct Minimal Facts Interviews or Essential Facts Interviews (Lyon 2024), Pre-Forensic Interviews, “Rogue” Interviews, Protective Assessment Interviews…has become common practice for many Children’s Advocacy Centers.  Many now pre-screen victim outcries in the field to determine if a “referral” (NRCAC 2023) should be made to a CAC and an appointment scheduled – often days or even weeks later.
 
There is ZERO research to support this practice.  There IS, however, research to support the cascading impact of the delayed forensic interview on the initiation of an investigation: delayed Law Enforcement and Child Protective Services response, delayed perpetrator interview, cooperation of non-offending caregivers, delayed forensic medical evaluation, delayed evidence collection, delayed safety/protective evaluations and subsequent criminal and family court prosecution.  
 
This presentation seeks to shed light on the dangers of the minimal facts interview and will provide solutions to this practice.

Learning Objectives:
1. 
Attendees will be able to explain why there is no evidence to support the practice of Minimal Facts Interviews by Law Enforcement and DHS First Responders.
2. Attendees will recognize the basis for CAC and MDT protocols usage of Minimal Facts Interviews.
3. Attendees will identify more than five adverse impacts of a Minimal Facts Interview on the criminal and child protection investigation process.



Registration will remain open through the start of the Webinar
 
Zoom Webinar System Requirements
For the best experience, use a computer or mobile device with a stable internet connection. Please have the latest version of Zoom installed, along with working speakers and a microphone. A webcam is required if you're requesting continuing education credit.

CE Course Completion Steps
  • Register for the live, interactive webinar.
  • Attend the full session (please have camera on).
  • Complete a posttest (with a passing score of 70% and option to retest up to two additional times) or engage with discussion questions embedded within webinar-you will be notified at start of webinar.
  • Submit evaluation form
  • Receive your certificate electronically through email within 30 days.

Accessibility Accommodations: To request accessibility accommodations, please contact APSAC at onlinetraining@apsac.org.

 
Provider Statements:
Social Work: The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), provider #1622, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB ), www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education ( ACE ) program. APSAC maintains responsibility for the program. ASWB Approval Period: 7/27/2025-7/27/2028. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval for continuing education credits. The Social worker participating in this conference received 1 continuing education clock hours.”
 
Psychology: The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, Inc (APSAC) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. 
 
Cancellations and Refunds: No cancellations. No refunds. Registration is transferable. Requests for transfer to a future event will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions, please email us at onlinetraining@apsac.org.

Questions and Concerns: Please contact the APSAC team at onlinetraining@apsac.org

Cancellations:
No cancellations. No refunds. Registration is transferable. Requests for transfer to a future event will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions please email us at onlinetraining@apsac.org.