Welcome to the Children’s Law Center training registration system. From this page, you can find current training sessions and additional information about each session. To register for a course, you must create an online account. This account will retain records of your registered and completed courses. It will also make registering for future training sessions easier. Once you have created an account, you can log in to access your training records, register for an upcoming training, or manage your account. Please Note: Some training sessions are offered on more than one date, so be sure to check the date(s) of the training before you register.
Current Available Training Sessions
To view more information about a training session, please click on the training session title.
Advanced Mandated Reporter Training - Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
Date: 2026-01-12
Time: 9:00 AM
Description: The Advanced Refresher Mandated Reporter Training includes a review on the role and responsibilities of the mandated reporter, long term consequences of child abuse and neglect, and recent legislative changes to the statutes that govern mandated reporting. This training will also introduce a new Children’s Law Center publication regarding frequently asked questions, and participants will work through an advanced reporting scenario exercise. This two-hour course is designed for individuals who have already attended a Children’s Law Center Mandated Reporter training or Train the Trainer session. The purpose of this training is to enhance your existing knowledge on the topic of mandated reporting.
Advanced Mandated Reporter Training - Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
Date: 2026-03-11
Time: 9:00 AM
Description: The Advanced Refresher Mandated Reporter Training includes a review on the role and responsibilities of the mandated reporter, long term consequences of child abuse and neglect, and recent legislative changes to the statutes that govern mandated reporting. This training will also introduce a new Children’s Law Center publication regarding frequently asked questions, and participants will work through an advanced reporting scenario exercise. This two-hour course is designed for individuals who have already attended a Children’s Law Center Mandated Reporter training or Train the Trainer session. The purpose of this training is to enhance your existing knowledge on the topic of mandated reporting.
Advanced Mandated Reporter Training - Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
Date: 2026-05-06
Time: 9:00 AM
Description: The Advanced Refresher Mandated Reporter Training includes a review on the role and responsibilities of the mandated reporter, long term consequences of child abuse and neglect, and recent legislative changes to the statutes that govern mandated reporting. This training will also introduce a new Children’s Law Center publication regarding frequently asked questions, and participants will work through an advanced reporting scenario exercise. This two-hour course is designed for individuals who have already attended a Children’s Law Center Mandated Reporter training or Train the Trainer session. The purpose of this training is to enhance your existing knowledge on the topic of mandated reporting.
Child Death Investigations: Overview of the Multi-Disciplinary Team Approach
Date: 2026-02-03
Time: 9:00 AM
Description: This 2-hour virtual training will provide an overview of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach to child death investigations in South Carolina. This training will address the manner and causes of child deaths, the expectations of an MDT response according to the SC Child Abuse Protocol, and applicable criminal statutes for child death investigations.
Child Death Investigations: The Basics
Date: 2026-03-24
Time: 9:00 AM
Description: This training will focus on the basics of child death investigations. Topics will include causes and manners of deaths; response and review of a child death, to include an overview of the Child Death Investigation Task Force; proper procedures for conducting reenactments; interviewing parents/caregivers and witnesses; documenting investigative findings; multi-disciplinary coordination of investigations; and the appropriate roles of DSS and law enforcement. Applicable definitions from the S.C. Children’s Code and criminal statutes will also be addressed. All in-person trainings will be held at the Children’s Law Center’s Training Center, 1114 Pickens Street, Columbia, SC 29208.
Date: 2026-01-26
Time: 8:30 AM
Description: Overview. ChildFirst® South Carolina is an intensive five-day course in which students learn the necessary skills to conduct an investigative interview - also known as a forensic interview - of a suspected child abuse victim. This interactive course combines lectures and demonstrations supplemented with homework assignments and a written examination at the end of the course. Participants also must conduct a 30-minute interview of a professional actor playing the role of a sexually abused child after which the interviewer is critiqued by a professional forensic interviewer and a group of fellow students. Completion of this training does not result in any recognized professional “certification” to conduct forensic interviews. Requirements. This course is designed for investigative teams of law enforcement officers, social workers, prosecutors, child protection attorneys, and forensic interviewers. However, you must meet the basic requirements of any team member: (1) You must be a South Carolina state professional, unless otherwise approved in writing by Zero Abuse Project and your ChildFirst® state coordinator, AND, a. You work in a job, through formal professional affiliation with a children’s advocacy center, in which you conduct forensic interviews of suspected child abuse victims, OR b. You refer children to a children’s advocacy center for forensic interviews as part of a child maltreatment investigation or defend forensic interviews in court. (Most frequently, these professionals are law enforcement officers, DSS attorneys, DSS caseworkers, and prosecutors.) Your participation in this training is focused on understanding the forensic interview process and how it fits into your comprehensive investigation. (2) You must commit to attending every session. Anyone who misses a session, does not complete the practical exercises, or fails the examination will not be awarded a certificate of course completion.
Conducting Reenactments in Child Death Investigations
Date: 2026-02-24
Time: 8:45 AM
Description: This 1-day, in-person training focuses on conducting reenactments with caregivers in child death investigations and incorporates hands-on practice in a mock crime scene apartment. This training begins with a review of the fundamentals of reenactments. Additional topics will include identifying the placer and finder; adapting reenactment techniques to a variety of scenarios; and identifying documentation techniques and challenges. Participants will be assigned a scenario involving an unexpected child death. Using a demonstration doll, participants will walk through the reenactment process with an actor, or actors, portraying the child’s caregiver(s). Simulation training aims to mimic the conditions and content of the tasks that an investigator will confront in real life situations and allows individuals to practice their skills and receive feedback without real-world consequences. Participants will receive a demonstration doll to take back with them to their office to use in future investigations.
Conducting Reenactments in Child Death Investigations
Date: 2026-06-08
Time: 8:45 AM
Description: This 1-day, in-person training focuses on conducting reenactments with caregivers in child death investigations and incorporates hands-on practice in a mock crime scene apartment. This training begins with a review of the fundamentals of reenactments. Additional topics will include identifying the placer and finder; adapting reenactment techniques to a variety of scenarios; and identifying documentation techniques and challenges. Participants will be assigned a scenario involving an unexpected child death. Using a demonstration doll, participants will walk through the reenactment process with an actor, or actors, portraying the child’s caregiver(s). Simulation training aims to mimic the conditions and content of the tasks that an investigator will confront in real life situations and allows individuals to practice their skills and receive feedback without real-world consequences. Participants will receive a demonstration doll to take back with them to their office to use in future investigations.
Emergency Protective Custody: Working as a Multidisciplinary Team
Date: 2026-03-23
Time: 2:00 PM
Description: This training will focus on emergency protective custody (EPC) as a multidisciplinary team collaborative process. While South Carolina law authorizes law enforcement to be the ultimate decision-maker when taking a child into EPC, working together to identify the existence, or lack thereof, of substantial and imminent danger increases the confidence and quality of the decision-making process. This training will provide an overview of statutory requirements for taking a child into EPC, response time requirements, and other procedural and substantive information. County memorandums of understanding will be shared for adaptation at the county level across the state. Individual county practices that have proved to be particularly effective at producing a collaborative working relationship will be shared.
Emergency Protective Custody: Working as a Multidisciplinary Team
Date: 2026-06-02
Time: 2:00 PM
Description: This training will focus on emergency protective custody (EPC) as a multidisciplinary team collaborative process. While South Carolina law authorizes law enforcement to be the ultimate decision-maker when taking a child into EPC, working together to identify the existence, or lack thereof, of substantial and imminent danger increases the confidence and quality of the decision-making process. This training will provide an overview of statutory requirements for taking a child into EPC, response time requirements, and other procedural and substantive information. County memorandums of understanding will be shared for adaptation at the county level across the state. Individual county practices that have proved to be particularly effective at producing a collaborative working relationship will be shared.
Fundamentals of Investigative Interviewing
Date: 2026-01-16
Time: 2:00 PM
Description: This training will cover the general principles and techniques of good investigative interviews. The presenter will cover the aim and purpose of the investigative interview and the importance of recognizing one’s own biases and its potential effect on the decision-making process. Other techniques that will be covered include rapport building, open-ended questioning, active listening, identification of subjective vs. objective language, and red flag responses.
Fundamentals of Investigative Interviewing
Date: 2026-05-01
Time: 2:00 PM
Description: This training will cover the general principles and techniques of good investigative interviews. The presenter will cover the aim and purpose of the investigative interview and the importance of recognizing one’s own biases and its potential effect on the decision-making process. Other techniques that will be covered include rapport building, open-ended questioning, active listening, identification of subjective vs. objective language, and red flag responses.
Investigative interviewing in Child Death Investigations: A Simulation Training
Date: 2026-01-23
Time: 8:30 AM
Description: This training will focus on investigative interviews during the child death investigation. Topics will include the purpose of an investigative interview, effective techniques that can be used to ascertain pertinent information related to the death investigation, and the importance of utilizing children’s advocacy centers for interviewing child witnesses involved in the investigation. Additionally, this training will include an opportunity for trainees to participate in mock interviews related to a child death scenario.
Investigative interviewing in Child Death Investigations: A Simulation Training
Date: 2026-02-12
Time: 8:30 AM
Description: This training will focus on investigative interviews during the child death investigation. Topics will include the purpose of an investigative interview, effective techniques that can be used to ascertain pertinent information related to the death investigation, and the importance of utilizing children’s advocacy centers for interviewing child witnesses involved in the investigation. Additionally, this training will include an opportunity for trainees to participate in mock interviews related to a child death scenario.
Investigative interviewing in Child Death Investigations: A Simulation Training
Date: 2026-03-09
Time: 8:30 AM
Description: This training will focus on investigative interviews during the child death investigation. Topics will include the purpose of an investigative interview, effective techniques that can be used to ascertain pertinent information related to the death investigation, and the importance of utilizing children’s advocacy centers for interviewing child witnesses involved in the investigation. Additionally, this training will include an opportunity for trainees to participate in mock interviews related to a child death scenario.
Investigative interviewing in Child Death Investigations: A Simulation Training
Date: 2026-04-22
Time: 8:30 AM
Description: This training will focus on investigative interviews during the child death investigation. Topics will include the purpose of an investigative interview, effective techniques that can be used to ascertain pertinent information related to the death investigation, and the importance of utilizing children’s advocacy centers for interviewing child witnesses involved in the investigation. Additionally, this training will include an opportunity for trainees to participate in mock interviews related to a child death scenario.
Investigative interviewing in Child Death Investigations: A Simulation Training
Date: 2026-05-14
Time: 8:30 AM
Description: This training will focus on investigative interviews during the child death investigation. Topics will include the purpose of an investigative interview, effective techniques that can be used to ascertain pertinent information related to the death investigation, and the importance of utilizing children’s advocacy centers for interviewing child witnesses involved in the investigation. Additionally, this training will include an opportunity for trainees to participate in mock interviews related to a child death scenario.
Investigative interviewing in Child Death Investigations: A Simulation Training
Date: 2026-06-05
Time: 8:30 AM
Description: This training will focus on investigative interviews during the child death investigation. Topics will include the purpose of an investigative interview, effective techniques that can be used to ascertain pertinent information related to the death investigation, and the importance of utilizing children’s advocacy centers for interviewing child witnesses involved in the investigation. Additionally, this training will include an opportunity for trainees to participate in mock interviews related to a child death scenario.
Medical Aspects of Physical Abuse
Date: 2026-03-19
Time: 9:30 AM
Description: A child abuse pediatrics medical expert will cover an array of medical aspects of child physical abuse beginning with the identification of red flags and the important role that the history provided by the caregiver plays. The presentation will comprehensively cover bruises, burns, bites, and fractures, and characteristics of each that can assist in the determination of whether they were accidentally or intentionally inflicted. Finally, the presentation will provide a better understanding of how the forensic pediatrics medical expert can assist in a child physical abuse investigation.
Medical Aspects of Sexual Abuse
Date: 2026-04-13
Time: 10:00 AM
Description: A child abuse pediatrics medical expert will cover an array of medical aspects of child sexual abuse beginning with common misunderstandings about anogenital findings and the frequency of their presence in a child sexual abuse evaluation. A general discussion of the anogenital anatomy will be provided as well as possible physical findings. The presenter will explain when a child should be seen in a hospital emergency setting for an acute exam and describe the forensic medical examination process and importance. Various sexually transmitted conditions will be covered along with their implications for diagnosis and reporting of sexual abuse among infants and prepubertal children. Finally, the presentation will provide a better understanding of how the forensic pediatrics medical expert can assist in a child sexual abuse investigation.
Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Webinar – OPEN SESSION
Date: 2025-12-17
Time: 11:00 AM
Description: This webinar is designed for mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect, and professionals who have frequent contact with children, who play a key role in protecting children by identifying possible maltreatment and reporting it to the agencies responsible for investigation and intervention. Participants will learn to identify mandated reporters according to South Carolina law; describe statutory requirements and protections; identify the role and responsibilities of mandated reporters; recognize signs of possible abuse and neglect; and describe when to make a report of child abuse and neglect.
Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Webinar – OPEN SESSION
Date: 2026-01-08
Time: 11:00 AM
Description: This webinar is designed for mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect, and professionals who have frequent contact with children, who play a key role in protecting children by identifying possible maltreatment and reporting it to the agencies responsible for investigation and intervention. Participants will learn to identify mandated reporters according to South Carolina law; describe statutory requirements and protections; identify the role and responsibilities of mandated reporters; recognize signs of possible abuse and neglect; and describe when to make a report of child abuse and neglect.
Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Webinar – Advanced Refresher
Date: 2026-05-06
Time: 12:00 PM
Description: The Advanced Refresher Mandated Reporter Training includes a review on the role and responsibilities of the mandated reporter, long term consequences of child abuse and neglect, and recent legislative changes to the statutes that govern mandated reporting. This training will also introduce a new Children’s Law Center publication regarding frequently asked questions, and participants will work through an advanced reporting scenario exercise. This two-hour course is designed for individuals who have already attended a Children’s Law Center Mandated Reporter training or Train the Trainer session. The purpose of this training is to enhance your existing knowledge on the topic of mandated reporting.
Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Webinar – OPEN SESSION
Date: 2026-01-20
Time: 11:00 AM
Description: This webinar is designed for mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect, and professionals who have frequent contact with children, who play a key role in protecting children by identifying possible maltreatment and reporting it to the agencies responsible for investigation and intervention. Participants will learn to identify mandated reporters according to South Carolina law; describe statutory requirements and protections; identify the role and responsibilities of mandated reporters; recognize signs of possible abuse and neglect; and describe when to make a report of child abuse and neglect.
Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Webinar – Open Session
Date: 2026-02-02
Time: 11:00 AM
Description: This webinar is designed for mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect, and professionals who have frequent contact with children, who play a key role in protecting children by identifying possible maltreatment and reporting it to the agencies responsible for investigation and intervention. Participants will learn to identify mandated reporters according to South Carolina law; describe statutory requirements and protections; identify the role and responsibilities of mandated reporters; recognize signs of possible abuse and neglect; and describe when to make a report of child abuse and neglect.
Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Webinar – Open Session
Date: 2026-02-18
Time: 11:00 AM
Description: This webinar is designed for mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect, and professionals who have frequent contact with children, who play a key role in protecting children by identifying possible maltreatment and reporting it to the agencies responsible for investigation and intervention. Participants will learn to identify mandated reporters according to South Carolina law; describe statutory requirements and protections; identify the role and responsibilities of mandated reporters; recognize signs of possible abuse and neglect; and describe when to make a report of child abuse and neglect.
Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Webinar – OPEN SESSION
Date: 2026-03-05
Time: 11:00 AM
Description: This webinar is designed for mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect, and professionals who have frequent contact with children, who play a key role in protecting children by identifying possible maltreatment and reporting it to the agencies responsible for investigation and intervention. Participants will learn to identify mandated reporters according to South Carolina law; describe statutory requirements and protections; identify the role and responsibilities of mandated reporters; recognize signs of possible abuse and neglect; and describe when to make a report of child abuse and neglect.
Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Webinar – OPEN SESSION
Date: 2026-03-18
Time: 11:00 AM
Description: This webinar is designed for mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect, and professionals who have frequent contact with children, who play a key role in protecting children by identifying possible maltreatment and reporting it to the agencies responsible for investigation and intervention. Participants will learn to identify mandated reporters according to South Carolina law; describe statutory requirements and protections; identify the role and responsibilities of mandated reporters; recognize signs of possible abuse and neglect; and describe when to make a report of child abuse and neglect.
Recognizing and Responding to Problematic Sexual Behaviors in Youth
Date: 2026-02-11
Time: 1:00 PM
Description: This presentation will focus on recognizing and responding to problematic sexual behaviors in youth. The training will identify myths, describe sexual development of children and adolescents, outline considerations in determining whether the behavior is problematic or inappropriate, and identify co-occurring behavioral problems and family dynamics. The presentation will include a discussion of current treatments or commonly used interventions and risk and recidivism. An understanding of the behavior is crucial to determine if court intervention is appropriate and necessary. The presentation is consistent with the South Carolina Child Abuse Response Protocol pursuant to S.C. Code of Laws § 63-11-2400 to 2410.
Recognizing Medical Child Abuse
Date: 2026-02-25
Time: 9:00 AM
Description: This presentation will begin with an identification of the features of medical child abuse and how they may present in different forms of maltreatment. Case scenarios will be presented to allow participants to apply these features to various fact patterns. The training will introduce the various nomenclature that is used regarding child maltreatment in a medical setting. Finally, the presentation will provide guidance on how to respond to a suspected case of maltreatment to ensure identification and proper diagnosis by a pediatric forensic medical expert.
Recognizing Medical Neglect and Failure to Thrive
Date: 2026-02-05
Time: 3:00 PM
Description: This training will focus on both medical neglect and failure to thrive. The presentation will open with a definition and explanation of medical neglect and red flags to look for. Questions for consideration will be outlined in order to determine if there was a failure to obtain care or failure to follow medical advice. A discussion of a medically complex child will include explanations of a tracheostomy, ventilators, feeding tubes, home monitoring, and splints and braces. A definition, an explanation, and causes of failure to thrive will be covered. The pediatric forensic expert will provide guidance on what evidence must be gathered in order to assess medical neglect and failure to thrive cases and how they can assist in reaching accurate conclusions to the investigation.
Date: 2025-12-10
Time: 9:30 AM
Description: The three-day training will educate and prepare 10 child-serving professionals to deliver START NOW with fidelity. Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion for the START NOW Facilitation Training. START NOW is a structured, evidence-based program developed through a National Institute of Justice study to support individuals with impulse control, emotional regulation, and relationship challenges. Its four modules—My Foundations, My Emotions, My Relationships, and My Future—promote growth, accountability, and resilience through CBT, MI, neurocognitive strategies, DBT, and trauma-sensitive care. This training provides tools to help participants build strengths, manage emotions, and connect thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while maintaining a trauma-informed approach.
Training of Trainers: Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect – April 22 & 29, 2026
Date: 2026-04-22
Time: 9:00 AM
Description: In this free training, participants will learn how to deliver the Children’s Law Center’s Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (Mandated Reporter) Training and answer frequently asked questions about mandated reporting. Participants will be required to attend the full training, pass a quiz, and present a 30 minute presentation on April 29, 2026. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion and may then conduct the Center’s Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Training to employees within their organizations. PLEASE NOTE: Participants should be professionals who are interested in conducting mandated reporter training within their organization.
Training of Trainers: Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect – January 21 & 28, 2026
Date: 2026-01-21
Time: 9:00 AM
Description: In this free training, participants will learn how to deliver the Children’s Law Center’s Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (Mandated Reporter) Training and answer frequently asked questions about mandated reporting. Participants will be required to attend the full training, pass a quiz, and present a 30 minute presentation on January 28, 2026. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion and may then conduct the Center’s Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Training to employees within their organizations. PLEASE NOTE: Participants should be professionals who are interested in conducting mandated reporter training within their organization.
Understanding Medical Aspects of Abusive Head Trauma
Date: 2026-03-12
Time: 9:30 AM
Description: This presentation will define Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrome, addressing the AAP policy statement in 1999 and the 2018 Consensus Statement on Abusive Head Trauma in Infants and Young Children. The presentation will also cover the common defenses occurring in Abusive Head Trauma cases, such as: rebleed theory, retinal hemorrhages are nonspecific, caused by a short fall, it is impossible for shaking alone to cause brain injuries, it is impossible for shaking alone to cause brain injuries absent a neck injury, and the lucid interval theory. This presentation will provide research to challenge these defense theories. This presentation will cover other strategies to rebut these theories including establishing a timeline, gathering a comprehensive medical history and factual information which rule out these defenses. This training will be offered on a virtual platform. A link will be sent near the date of the training.