Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center

Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center (NCPTC) works to end all forms of child abuse, neglect and exploitation through training, education, advocacy, prevention and awareness, providing care and treatment for children and families and adult survivors.

Gundersen NCPTC promotes reformation of current training practices by providing an educational curriculum to current and future front line child protection professionals around the nation so they will be prepared to recognize and report the abuse of a child. As leaders in the field since 2003, more than 100,000 child protection professionals have been trained in all 50 states and 17 countries on topics pertaining to child abuse investigations, prosecutions and prevention.

ChildFirst® Forensic Interviewing Protocol

The ChildFirst® forensic interviewing protocol brings the field into the classroom, enhancing the education of front-line child abuse professionals. The course is designed for investigative teams of law enforcement officers, social workers, prosecutors, child protection attorneys and forensic interviewers. This training incorporates lecture and discussion, review of electronically recorded interviews, skill-building exercises and an interview practicum.

Child Advocacy Studies (CAST)

The CAST Minor started at Winona State University. CAST focuses on developing students' understanding of the various factors that lead to child maltreatment and of various existing responses to incidents of child maltreatment, so they work more effectively within various systems and institutions that respond to these incidents. Students learn about the various disciplinary responses to child maltreatment and develop a multidisciplinary understanding of the most effective responses. Students completing the courses in this program will be better equipped to carry out the work of various agencies and systems (healthcare, criminal justice, social services) as they advocate on behalf of the needs of children as victims and survivors of child abuse.

Programs

Gundersen NCPTC promotes prevention, advocacy, and education through the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center (JWRC) and the Center for Effective Discipline (CED).

The Jacob Wetterling Resource Center (JWRC)

The JWRC was founded in 1989 by Patty and Jerry Wetterling following their son Jacob's abduction near St. Joseph, Minn. JWRC works to prevent the exploitation of children while offering support and advocacy services to those in need of assistance.

The Center for Effective Discipline (CED)

CED provides educational information based on current peer-reviewed research to the public on the effects and risk factors associated with the use of corporal punishment on children. Effective alternatives using positive and proactive discipline are provided.

Locations

Gundersen NCPTC's training centers are located on the campuses of Winona State University, Northwest Arkansas Community College and New Mexico State University. The state-of-the-art complexes include:

• 5 mock court rooms
• 4 forensic interview training rooms
• Mock house in which simulated child abuse investigations are conducted