The Iowa Chapter of Children's Advocacy Centers 3rd Annual MDT Conference
About this Event
The Iowa Chapter of Children’s Advocacy Centers Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Conference
Get ready for the 3rd Annual ICCAC MDT Conference! Join us at the UnityPoint Health Education & Research Center for a 2-day event filled with learning and networking.
Whether you're a CAC team member, law enforcement officer, HHS employee, advocate, mental health provider, medical provider, or simply interested in the field, this conference is perfect for you. With a diverse range of speakers and workshops, you'll gain valuable insights and knowledge from experts in various disciplines.
Discover the latest information on child abuse investigations, prosecution, service provision, and vicarious trauma/resiliency. Share your experiences and connect with like-minded individuals. From interactive sessions to engaging discussions, this conference offers a unique opportunity to expand your professional network and foster collaboration.
Don't miss out on this incredible event! Mark your calendars and secure your spot at the ICCAC Annual MDT Conference. We can't wait to see you there!
UnityPoint Health is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Wisconsin Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
This conference has also been approved for 8.0 hours of CEU and CLE credit.
Hotel Room Block Information:
ICCAC has a room block available at the Embassy Suites at the government rate. Rooms must be reserved by 8/21/26 to be guaranteed the discounted rate.
- To reserve a room online, please click: IA Chapter Staff Block
- To reserve a room by phone, please call 515-244-1700 and provide code: 94F
ICCAC also has a room block available at the Staybridge Suites for attendees that need the state rate. Rooms must be reserved by 8/10/26 to be guaranteed the discounted rate.
- To reserve a room online, please click: ICCAC MDT Conference
- To reserve a room by phone, please call 515-280-3828 and provide block code: MDT
Thank you to our 2026 MDT Advocate and Partner Conference Sponsors!
Thursday, September 10th
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Registration
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Opening Remarks
Host: Kelly Conference Room
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Trafficking, Trauma, Resiliency & Evidenced-based Hope
Host: Judge Robert Lung
Info: In this inspiring presentation the Speaker will begin with the definition of human trafficking and then dive into the myths and misunderstandings about human trafficking, specifically juvenile sex trafficking – covering the where, how, who and more. The Speaker next addresses trauma and its many manifestations – this is key for two reasons – first an understanding of how trauma impacts individuals and, second lending the audience an insight into how their clients may be unaware they are trauma-impacted and how that trauma impacts their decisions and actions. The Speaker then covers the details of a case study of a child involving abuse, trafficking, and torture in which the child was a victim of familial trafficking and used to create child sexual abuse materials. The Speaker then pivots into discussing various sources of resiliency and recovery victims may utilize to transition from being a victim to a survivor to a to a thriver.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:45 PM
Munchausen by Proxy: The Rubik's Cube of Child Abuse (Kelley Conference Room)
Host: Rebecca Gill, M.D. (Dr. Bex)
Info: Learning Objectives:
1. Utilize the APSAC guidelines on Munchausen by Proxy to review and report potential cases to Child Protective Services.
2. Employ better communication between teams in complex cases of Munchausen by Proxy.
3. Recognize the impact of MBPA cases on all professionals.
4. Demonstrate how to use shared experiences to better care for the suspected victims of this abuse.
🕑: 01:45 AM - 02:00 AM
Break
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Medical Child Abuse-Case Study Panel, Part 1 (Kelley Conference Room)
Host: Chief Deputy Ellis
Info: This presentation provides an overview of medical child abuse (also known as factitious disorder imposed on another), a complex and often under-recognized form of child maltreatment. It will explore the clinical, psychological, and legal dimensions of the condition, emphasizing the importance of early identification and a coordinated response.
Designed for a multidisciplinary audience—including healthcare providers, mental health professionals, social workers, and legal professionals—the session highlights how collaboration across systems is essential to protect affected children. A case study will be used to illustrate key challenges in diagnosis, documentation, and intervention.
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:15 PM
Break
🕑: 03:15 PM - 04:30 PM
Breakout Session A-Thompson Auditorium: Forensic Interviewing in a Digital Age
Host: Rachel Murdock
Info: Technology-facilitated abuse continues to evolve, creating new challenges for forensic interviewers and multidisciplinary teams. This 75-minute session provides an overview of emerging issues such as artificial intelligence in child exploitation, self-generated CSAM (SG-CSAM), digital coercion, and the growing problem of surreptitious recordings of forensic interviews. Participants will gain practical strategies for recognizing digital factors during interviews, protecting the integrity of the forensic interview process, and adapting best practices to meet the demands of a rapidly changing digital landscape.
🕑: 03:15 PM - 04:30 PM
Breakout Session B-Classroom 3
Host: Mike Ferjak
Info: I offer skill development training for investigative personnel on interviewing, verbal and written language analysis, report writing and more. The last 18 years of my career were heavily focused on Human Sex Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation. Today, I work against these crimes by offering public education sessions to the general public, service organizations and non-enforcement professional groups i.e., educators, first responders, medical practitioners and others.
🕑: 03:15 PM - 04:30 PM
Breakout Session C-Dorner Seminar Room: ESD K9 Team
Host: Welles/Tran
Info: This session focuses on bringing awareness to the target audience of the capabilities of ESD K9s and their availability statewide.
Training will describe what an ESD K9 does, how we train, and why ESD K9 are vital for searches. There will also be a demonstration along with questions and answer session.
Friday, September 11th
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Medical Child Abuse- Case Study Panel, Part 2
Host: Dr. Regina Torson
Info: This presentation provides an overview of medical child abuse (also known as factitious disorder imposed on another), a complex and often under-recognized form of child maltreatment. It will explore the clinical, psychological, and legal dimensions of the condition, emphasizing the importance of early identification and a coordinated response.
Designed for a multidisciplinary audience—including healthcare providers, mental health professionals, social workers, and legal professionals—the session highlights how collaboration across systems is essential to protect affected children. A case study will be used to illustrate key challenges in diagnosis, documentation, and intervention.
🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:45 AM
Break
🕑: 09:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Breakout Session A-Thompson Auditorium: Forensic Interviewing in a Digital Age
Host: Rachel Murdock
Info: Technology-facilitated abuse continues to evolve, creating new challenges for forensic interviewers and multidisciplinary teams. This 75-minute session provides an overview of emerging issues such as artificial intelligence in child exploitation, self-generated CSAM (SG-CSAM), digital coercion, and the growing problem of surreptitious recordings of forensic interviews. Participants will gain practical strategies for recognizing digital factors during interviews, protecting the integrity of the forensic interview process, and adapting best practices to meet the demands of a rapidly changing digital landscape.
🕑: 09:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Breakout Session B-Classroom 3:
Host: Mike Ferjak
Info: I offer skill development training for investigative personnel on interviewing, verbal and written language analysis, report writing and more. The last 18 years of my career were heavily focused on Human Sex Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation. Today, I work against these crimes by offering public education sessions to the general public, service organizations and non-enforcement professional groups i.e., educators, first responders, medical practitioners and others.
🕑: 09:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Breakout Session C-Dorner Seminar Room: ESD K9 Team
Host: Gracie/White
Info: This session will focus on bringing awareness to the target audience of the capabilities and ESD K9 availability statewide.
Training will describe what an ESD K9 does, how we train, and why ESD K9 are vital for searches. There will also be a demonstration and questions and answer session.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Break
🕑: 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Unstoppable: Creating a Mindset That Moves Mountains (Kelley Conference Room)
Host: Lisa Schaefer
Info: What if the only thing standing between you and your next bold move... was your mindset?
In this empowering and interactive keynote, Lisa Schaefer of Shine with Schaefer invites attendees to step into a space of growth, grit, and grace. Whether you're leading a team, launching a new idea, navigating change, or simply trying to hold it all together—this session is for you.
Together, we’ll explore how to create an unstoppable mindset—one that doesn’t wait for confidence to arrive before taking action. Through real-life stories, thought-provoking questions, and energizing activities, you’ll learn how to get comfortable being uncomfortable, quiet the inner critic, and lean into possibility even when fear or doubt shows up. Expect laughter, reflection, connection, and a healthy nudge out of your comfort zone.
🕑: 12:15 PM
Closing Remarks
Host: Danica Haas
Where is it happening?
USD 25.00 to USD 100.00
