About the Downstate Conference

Since 1993 the Downstate Conference on Child Abuse has offered quality training to professionals working with child abuse victims in Southern Illinois.

The training was envisioned and developed by Child Advocacy Center directors from the Southern Region of Illinois.

The goal of this conference is to provide high quality, affordable and accessible training for DCFS, law enforcement, mental health professionals, child advocates and all other social service workers who see daily the effects of child abuse. This conference offers cross training and offers a multidisciplinary approach to dealing with child abuse so that the victims are given the best help available when faced with the horrors of abuse. The Downstate Conference presents comprehensive training in every aspect of this very important issue, including the investigation, medical evaluation, mental health assessment and treatment, prosecution, and child advocacy. The conference explores ways to implement the best practices in child abuse investigations. Hopefully, this has translated into better outcomes for child abuse victims.

The two-day event has consistently drawn at least 250 to 300 professionals from throughout Illinois, due to the high quality and affordability of the training provided.

Downstate Conference Committee

 

Madison County CAC

Wood River, IL

Carrie Cohan, Director

www.madco-cac.org
 

Perry – Jackson CAC

Pinckneyville, IL

Betti Mucha, Director

www.perryjacksoncac.org
 

St. Clair County CAC

Belleville, IL

Carolyn Hubler, Director

www.stclairchildadvocacy.org 

The Amy Center   

Mt. Vernon, IL

Ladonna Richards, Director

 

The Guardian Center, Inc.

Carmi, IL

Sheryl Woodham, Director

www.theguardiancenter.org/
 

Two Rivers CAC

Anna, IL

Chasity Chotner, Director

www.tworiverscac.com

 

Williamson County CAC

Herrin, IL

Kathy Schimpf, Director