About the Downstate Conference

Since 1993 the Downstate Multi-Disciplinary Training Conference on Child Abuse has been the premier training in Southern Illinois for professionals working with child abuse victims.

The training was envisioned and originally developed by Child Advocacy Center directors from the Southern Region of Illinois and now works along with Prevent Child Abuse of Illinois to present this conference annually.

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 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.