About This Course


This interactive workshop on Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) Prevention is designed to provide a thoughtful exploration and introduction to the complex issues surrounding child abuse and neglect, as well as strategies for strengthening families and preventing child maltreatment. Throughout the workshop, participants will engage in interactive activities, case studies, and group discussions to deepen their understanding of the issues and develop practical skills for working with families, including self-care strategies for providers to promote emotional health and well-being. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a strong foundation for preventing CAN and, strategies and resources for promoting family strengthening. 



Workshop Overview

  1. Child Abuse and Neglect: Definition of CAN, types and prevalence of child maltreatment in California and the United States.
  2. Causes and Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect: The underlying factors that contribute to CAN, the impact on child development, and the potential long-term consequences of CAN through the lens of ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) 
  3. The relations between CAN and other forms of violence (community violence, elder abuse, bullying, domestic violence)
  4. Recognizing and Reporting CAN: The signs and symptoms of CAN and, the legal and ethical responsibilities for reporting suspected CAN.
  5. CAN Prevention and Family Strengthening - Culturally relevant and Practical strategies for reducing Risk Factors, building and celebrating resilience through Protective Factors, and encouraging Promotive Factors. 

Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  1. Define, and distinguish between, Child Abuse and Child Neglect 
  2. Identity 4 Common Types of CAN
  3. Identify Signs and symptoms of CAN in children with special needs, infants/toddlers, children, and youth (including children with special needs)
  4. Identify 3 impacts of CAN on Child Development
  5. Identify 3 long-term consequences of CAN
  6. Identify Parent/Caregiver, Child, Family, Environmental, and, Community Risk Factors Factors that contribute to CAN 
  7. Define and Identify Protective Factors for CAN 
  8. Recognize and discuss the relationship between CAN and other forms of violence
  9. Understand how to report CAN and the legal and ethical responsibility to report
  10. Discuss the importance of Provider/Practitioner self-care when working with children and families experiencing CAN



Register for This Course Here



About the Trainer

L. Jani Sheppard



L. Jani Sheppard is the President and founder of ljs.LeadershipSolutions. Her work reflects 32 years of commitment to Leadership Development, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Executive Coaching, and Organizational Development. She is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University and, a PONO and Weinberg Fellow with a focus on non-profit Management and Leadership Development through Hawaii Pacific University. She is an Executive Leadership Coach with the Gratitude Network and a Partner and facilitator for JAIDE (Environmental and Racial Justice). Her work in Public Health has included Equity Program Manager for AM BioScience cannabis division, Program Manager for Emergency Preparedness services, Tobacco Control (including the successful crafting of a successful Tobacco Retail License ordinance to restrict the sale and access of flavored tobacco to youth), development and management of Opioid prevention services, and trainer and advocate for Health Equity.  


Jani served as CEO of Maui Family Support Services for 11 years, serving children and families experiencing family violence and leading prevention services for the islands of Maui, Moloka’i, and Lana’i. Her organization received multiple awards including six “Best Places to Work”, and a commendation from the Commission on Fatherhood, and she was recognized by Hawaii Business Magazine as one of the top 10 CEOs to Know in Hawaii. She is the former Executive Director of Project Sanctuary, an organization committed to serving survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in Mendocino County, CA. She has provided leadership for organizations and communities dedicated to partnering with individuals with disabilities, including behavioral health and substance use disorders, to provide options for healing, self-sufficiency, and joy. As a Servant Leader, she is committed to ensuring those impacted by policies, services, and supports always have a seat at the table and that their voices drive the conversation. 


Jani is a skilled facilitator: She creates safe and open environments where participants learn, share, and develop skills needed to meet their goals. Her clients overwhelmingly share their appreciation for her compassion, ability to meet them where they are, provide honest and supportive feedback, develop focused and relevant steps to meet to achieve their goals, and have fun doing it. Jani provides the same positive experience in her role as an Executive Coach. Her strength-based approach celebrates the individual, the lessons learned from their journey, and their capacity to experience success on multiple levels. Jani is a staunch proponent of trauma-informed care and support and is honored to have the opportunity to work with survivors of trauma, including historical and cultural trauma. 


Jani has served the community serving on various Boards and Commissions including as Board Chairperson for the Boys and Girls Club; Board Chairperson and Public Policy Chair for the Hawai’i Alliance of Non-Profit Organizations, Vice-Chairperson for United Way Board of Directors, co-Founder of the Mendocino County DEI Task Force, Chair Person for Ukiah City Council Equity and Inclusion Committee, Chairperson Ho’oikaika Partnership, AMllc Equity Advisor, as a Sonoma County Commissioner for Area Council on Aging, and member of a Cloverdale Disabilities Action Committee.