Mock Home Prepares Students for Career in Child Advocacy

Ryan Gibson — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 21:50:04 +0000

C-SC is one of the few colleges in the country that offers a minor in Child Advocacy Studies. In one of the six courses, students address a child abuse case by conducting a home investigation and parent interviews in a simulation laboratory called a “Mock House.” During the simulation, participants review witness reports, observe photographs indicating abuse, and manage mandated reporter calls.

Before the simulation, students in the CAST program prepare from various disciplines to work with children affected by traumatic events, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. The curricula in these courses are aligned with the Zero Abuse Project, and C-SC faculty collaborate with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network on the case where vignettes are used.

“This mock house simulation is one of the highlights of the students’ experiences,” Dr. Angel Knoverek said.” Knoverek serves the College as the CAST Coordinator and Director of Counselor Education. She continued, “It’s interesting to watch them balance the excitement related to learning with the intense heaviness of the topic and details related to the child abuse case. The simulation also helps them understand the need for self-care when working with individuals who have experienced trauma.” The mock house simulation is a one-day event at 91ֱ��.

For more information regarding the CAST program at C-SC, contact Dr. Angel Knoverek at aknoverek@culver.edu or (573)288-6000 ext. 6452.

C-SC hosts Mock Home Child Abuse Investigation Simulation

Ryan Gibson — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 15:37:54 +0000

The simulation began with a scenario in which a school professional suspected abuse and made a mandated report which initiated an investigation. Students assumed the position of a Child Advocacy professional. At a designated point in the simulation, they were instructed to meet at an off-campus location with the assignment of a home visit. On scene, objects were placed throughout the house to emulate an in-home child abuse case. Students were then instructed to take notes and survey the house, investigating the severity of the situation presented in the scenario.

When the investigation of the home was completed, students compiled the evidence they found to prepare for the next step of the exercise. Then, the students organized their findings and met with student actors who portrayed the parents in the case. The intent of the mock interviews was to provide the students with experience completing formal investigations and making a determination in child abuse cases.

Dr. Angel Knoverek, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) Coordinator, serves as the instructor of Forensic Investigations of Child Maltreatment and led the simulation. Knoverek said, “Child abuse case simulations using problem-based learning are an interactive way to engage and prepare students for real-world situations in the various human services fields.”

A walk-through of the simulation was available to faculty and staff to better understand the experiential learning in progress through the duration of the simulation.

The CAST minor curriculum at C-SC prepares students with real-world experiences in a classroom setting. The purpose is to develop professionals who will be best equipped to work on multi-disciplinary teams to benefit children, such as nursing, education, and psychology among others.

While all the students in the course are CAST minors, they represent several different academic programs, such as nursing, criminal justice and psychology.

Simulation – 91ֱ��

Mock Home Prepares Students for Career in Child Advocacy

C-SC hosts Mock Home Child Abuse Investigation Simulation