Training for professionals

Advanced Child Abuse Response Strategies (A-CARS)

March 23-24, 2026
Sandman Signature Hotel Dartmouth
Dartmouth, NS

Presented by the Canadian Child Forensic Interview Practice Association (CCFIPA)

Registration is now closed

Location

Sandman Signature Hotel Dartmouth
973 Wilkinson Ave
Dartmouth, NS

Discounted hotel room rate available for attendees

A discounted room rate is available at the host hotel for attendees. Book online or by phone:

Visit the hotel’s Booking website
Select your dates (rate valid Mar 23-25)
Under ‘Promo’ select Web Group Code:
Enter code 2603IWKHEA

By phone

Call 1-800-726-3626 (SANDMAN), and provide the reservation agent with the group code “2603IWKHEA”

Must book by Mar 13, 2026

About

SeaStar is pleased to host Advanced Child Abuse Response Strategies (A-CARS), a multidisciplinary training available to our partners in child welfare, law enforcement, and prosecution from the Canadian Child Forensic Interview Practice Association.

Attendees with prior basic or advanced child interview training are welcome, in addition to anyone who may be involved in monitoring child forensic interviews.

Build connections with colleagues across sectors, dig into advanced skills, and stay up to date on best practices in child-focused and trauma-informed approaches.

This 2-day training is offered at no cost, by invitation through our partner organizations.
(Travel and accommodations costs, if required, are the responsibility of the respective organizations)

What's covered?

Day 1: Child Abuse Response Strategies (CARS)

CARS is a a first of its kind offering in Canada. While there are many agencies collaborating to support child abuse investigations, there is no standardized practice guide for responding to child abuse: until now. This one day training covers practical application based strategies for law enforcement and child welfare professionals from the time of the initial report, through until court and each stage between. With the Child Forensic Interview (CFI) at the nexus of most child involved investigations, participants will gain skills that are immediately applicable to inform their decision making, enabling collaboration, while protecting the integrity of the CFI as valuable evidence.

Day 2: Advanced Child Abuse Response Strategies (A-CARS)

Recognizing the Child Forensic Interview as the central component of most child involved investigations, A-CARS ensures the foundational, standardized response protocols are in place (as detailed in CARS training above), with additional modules addressing more advanced challenges within the Child Forensic Interview.

A-CARS is a 2 day training that guides attendees through CARS training in addition to CFI Troubleshooting, using scenario-based learning. Looking at some of the most common roadblocks that occur within the CFI, while providing trauma-informed response strategies, attendees will come away with the understanding and skills to reference and apply throughout many CFI scenarios. These principles apply widely regardless of the participant’s existing protocol training and is aligned with evidence-based, best practices in the field.

Who should attend?

This training is open to professionals responding to, or supervising, reports of child abuse in child welfare, law enforcement, and prosecution in Nova Scotia. Because space is limited, spots are available by invitation through our partner organizations.

While A-CARS is meant to complement, not compete with, existing CFI training, attendees with basic or advanced interview training are welcome, in addition to anyone who may be involved in monitoring child forensic interviews.