As always, NCJTC offers many training opportunities on a variety of topics. Here are some upcoming:
Verbal De-Escalation and Conflict ResolutionJuly 21-22 | September 15-16 | December 10 2027 DatesFebruary 16 – 17, 2027 | May 4, 2027Strengthen your ability to manage conflict – whether on duty or in everyday communication. This course helps you organize your thinking, respond calmly under pressure, and prevent situations from escalating. You’ll learn how to:Understand why conflicts escalate and how to interrupt themUse proven communication techniques to defuse tense encountersRecognize when verbal de‑escalation is not appropriateAdjust your response to create safer outcomes for everyone involved
Secure your place in these Community Policing Training Opportunities
Effectively managing sex offenders requires more than supervision—it demands a coordinated, community-wide approach grounded in research and best practices. Join us to explore how law enforcement, supervision, treatment providers, and community partners can work together to support long-term, pro-social outcomes for offenders while prioritizing victim safety.
SORN programs typically experience significant challenges related to staff turnover, inadequate resources, court challenges, and lack of skill development opportunities. Whether you are new to this area of work or are experienced, join us for an intensive two-day skill development training designed specifically for SORN personnel. During the training, we will cover an introduction and overview of SORN laws, registration of offenders, community notification to the public, and enforcement and compliance issues. Advanced skill development such as registrant monitoring and compliance, and community notification meetings will also be covered. Participate in this interactive training which includes educational information, ready-to-use resources, case studies, interactive discussion, and opportunities to apply learned skills.
Responding to Sextortion Related Offenses Against Children July 16 | September 17
Seats are Limited — JOIN US JULY 16 FOR ONLINE TRAININGDue to rising demand and the increasing prevalence of technology-facilitated sextortion, youth are facing growing risks, creating complex investigative and victim response challenges for agencies.We’ve added additional sessions of Responding to Sextortion Related Offenses Against Children. This live-online course equips law enforcement professionals with practical tools to respond effectively, understand offender tactics, and protect youth from sextortion.
Course OverviewThis 1-day live-online training equips law enforcement professionals to respond effectively to sextortion. Learn offender tactics, why youth are vulnerable, and the impact on victims, while gaining practical skills for victim-centered response, reporting, and prevention messaging to youth, parents, and educators. Walk away with strategies you can apply immediately in your work. You Will Learn:Define sextortion and recognize offender tacticsExplain why youth are vulnerable and understand the impact on victimsIdentify appropriate reporting avenuesDevelop and deliver effective prevention messaging
Child abduction cases often expose investigators to the most disturbing aspects of human behavior. Repeated exposure to sexual exploitation, abuse, and victimization does not end when the case file is closed; it accumulates and can have lasting effects on those assigned to these investigations. This webinar is presented by an instructor who is a PhD researcher, a retired law enforcement investigator, and the current chair of a community college criminal justice department. Join him as he examines original research on vicarious sexual trauma among officers who investigate sex crimes, including documented psychological, emotional, and behavioral impacts. Explore how to apply evidence-based resilience strategies to support personal well-being, peer support, and trauma-informed leadership within investigative units.Learn More
AMBER Alert Law Enforcement Field Guide:Policy and Practice UpdatesJune 25 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm CTThe AMBER Alert Field Guide for Law Enforcement Officers provides a structured framework for the critical early stages of response, from call intake and patrol coordination to NCIC entry and AMBER Alert activation. The webinar will outline best practices for investigative follow through, lead and tip management, CART deployment, organized search operations, volunteer oversight, family interaction, and strategic media coordination. It will examine evolving trends in AMBER Alert activations, including tip volume management, multi-jurisdictional coordination, and the expanding role of digital and social media in recoveries. Emphasis will be placed on how a disciplined, data informed response will increase the likelihood of safe recovery while protecting investigative integrity.Learn More
Valeria Vila, Ph.D.
PSB Program Data Specialist
Valeria is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and communicating about data related to the PSB program. A trained social scientist, Valeria received her PhD in Social Psychology from Rutgers University, and she is passionate about using data to drive positive change. During her free time, Valeria likes to watch sports, read, cuddle with her dogs, and spend time with her partner and family.
Jack was eight years old when he was sexually abused by his aunt for a year. His mother reached out to Ginnie’s House, the Sussex County Child Advocacy Center, in search of support for Jack, and it was found that the family as a whole needed services all around as each member was individually impacted by the sexual abuse and disclosure.
Ginnie’s House was not only able to provide Jack with therapeutic services, but Jack’s sister was able to process her feelings with a therapist as well. Jack’s parents received family advocacy services, where they were educated on the impact of trauma and how they can best continue to support Jack during this time. With a lot of strength and resilience, Jack completed TF-CBT (trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy) with his clinician and confidently read his trauma narrative, thus taking ownership over his own story.
As services were ending Jack’s mother asked how he felt and he told her, “I’m really ok now! I know what happened was her mistake, and that it wasn’t my fault.” Jack’s parents have learned how to remain patient and work with Jack throughout his therapeutic treatment and they “graduated” services being able to support Jack’s healing now and in the future.
Rhea’s Story
“At first I was extremely terrified because I was in the car with my abuser when he had found out that we were being summoned to Union County CAC. But at that point, unbeknownst to me, I was ready to share something because I was tired of the façade. Sofia, the detective in my case, felt like an auntie I had not met yet and I was able to speak to her about something that I hadn’t said aloud ever.
It was a long time between when I disclosed the abuse and when my abuser was convicted in a trial and sentenced. The team members checked in with me and when I was fully ready to speak, they were able to help me find my voice in the sea of cacophony that surrounded my trial process.
After the conviction, I was going through a rollercoaster of feelings: for the first time, I was going to free of something that had become a part of my identity for so long. I don’t remember much of what I said on the witness stand but I know that I spoke from the depths of my heart without reason and rationale, just strict emotions. I remember telling my mom that I was raped for five years, proved it for four years, and I wanted to live and, in all honesty, that is what I wanted most. I wanted to be a teenager. I wanted to understand life and not feel my life in relation to pain and sorrow. I was and still am committing to becoming my best self despite what I have gone through. That trial was my rebirth and my catalyst for change.
I want to tell my multidisciplinary team ‘Thank you!’ I don’t know where I would be if you all weren’t in my life. I remember taking that leap of faith that I would write my story in my classroom journal and in my mind, that was my release—nothing more, nothing less. You all showed me the true power in words and actions; I became an educator because of what you guys showed me through the four years. I am committed to changing lives from what you all did for me!”
Brenda’s Story
“I remember walking to Deirdre’s House, the Child Advocacy Center, and it was what I imagine is like what your grandma’s house feels like. There’s books, and it’s cozy, and it’s comfortable, and for sure safe.”
In the moment I disclosed my abuse, I felt like I had a rope to climb out of the deep well of water. Once I started sharing my story, I realized it was very empowering to take control – knowing that the story is mine to tell. It’s my warrior story.
Having my family far away most of the time, and not really telling the specifics of my story to them because I didn’t grow up being close to them, led me to lean on the prosecutor team and investigators for support. I see them now maybe once every couple of years, but they are near and dear to me and I feel like they are my family, and they made me feel like I was their family. Usually I would drive from Delaware to NJ for the proceedings and my family couldn’t be there, but the team was there for me. The investigator and one of the interns was there for me during the verdict, holding my hand. They helped me keep my head up; they were my grounding force. Every time I came in, it was like reuniting with friends. They asked me how I was, how school was, how my daughter was. They treated me like a friend – person-to-person – there was no elephant in the room. Whether it’s a family member, a friend, or a professional in the field, the best thing they can do for a survivor is help them feel like a person again. I didn’t need the hugs or the sympathy, I just needed a reason to smile, and they did that for me.
Everybody tells you it’s not your fault, and of course that’s true, but beyond that, it’s not even personal. There are sick and evil people out there, and they don’t do things to you because you’re you, they do things because they’re them. Even though I learned that people can do extreme harm, I came across this family of truly beautiful people who go out of their way to protect those like me.”
Sara Miao, M.B.A.
Program Coordinator, Finding Words/Child First
Sara has been coordinating the logistics of the Finding Words/Child First forensic interviewing protocol training program in NJ since 2022. Prior to joining NJCA, Sara worked for over 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry.
Claire graduated with a B.S. in Finance from Lehigh University. Prior to joining NJCA, she worked as an AVP in the Equity Prop Trading department at Deustche Bank. During the 13 years she was away from the working world to raise her three children, she has volunteered at numerous charity organizations. During her free time she likes to travel, read, and spend many days at her kids’ sporting and theatre events.
Victoria assists in tracking and documenting NJCA’s grants and other financial operations. She holds a B.S.W. from Monmouth University, and has previously worked in the child welfare field in Denver, CO, as well as served in the role of Training and Outreach Coordinator with NJCA.
Maria Isabella Pontoriero (“MIP”) is a licensed social worker and forensic interviewer. MIP is Founder and Consultant for Enhanced Choice Training & Consulting LLC, which provides specialized training and case consultation to individuals and agencies who serve victims of crime and exploitation. She also provides training and peer review feedback as a contract Consultant for Modell Consulting Group LLC and faculty member for RADAR Child Forensic Interview Models. MIP previously served as Lead Social Worker for the New Orleans Children’s Advocacy Center & Audrey Hepburn CARE Center at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. There, she supervised the forensic interviewing staff and led a child trafficking survivor services and proactive recovery planning team called BRAVE (Building Resilience for All Victims of Exploitation). In addition, MIP develops and delivers in-service and New Recruits child abuse curricula for the New Orleans Police Department Training Academy. In her spare time, MIP loves to bake, read, and celebrate Mardi Gras!
Joey graduated from Rider University in 2018 with a degree in Elementary Education & Psychology. Joey spent over five years developing and implementing special education curriculums in K-12 public schools before deciding to pursue her passion for community outreach and development outside of the classroom. She has always enjoyed volunteering and working with nonprofit organizations to support children and families in need, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to do so in her role at NJCA! In her free time, Joey enjoys reading, travelling, and hosting dinner parties for her friends and family.
Olga joined NJCA in 2018, and currently serves as Director of Communications, focusing on raising awareness and support for Child Advocacy Centers and NJCA, as well as educating communities about child abuse prevention, recognition and reporting. She holds an MSW from Rutgers University along with a Certificate in Interpersonal Violence and Trauma, as well as an MBA with a concentration in Organizational Development from George Washington University. She is also a mental health clinician, providing treatment to children and families through the Children’s System of Care. Outside of work, Olga enjoys spending time with her husband, three sons and floppy-eared hound dog, as well as art, photography, travel, and audiobooks.
