During the pandemic, we hosted weekly webinars about important topics such as online safety, apps, and more.
All Webinars can be found on our YouTube channel as well as below, and we’ve grouped them by topic area.
To schedule an in-person or Zoom training for your office or school, email director@cacfingerlakes.org.
For Parents, Caregivers & Childcare Providers
What is consent? Why is it important to teach children about consent? In this #WeeklyWebinar, Sara talks about what consent is and how it can be taught to children of all ages.
Sara talks about the IGeneration and the impacts that smartphones and social media have on adolescents and teens.
As part of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we continue to focus on human trafficking. In this webinar, Sara talks about signs of potential traffickers. The more we know, the better we can prevent human trafficking and support survivors.
Sara talks about Teen Dating Violence, examples of abusive behaviors, signs that you may be in an abusive relationship and how to get help.
It can feel daunting to try to choose the right caregiver for your little one. In this Weekly Webinar, Sara shares tips and suggestions for choosing a safe caregiver.
Do your children, students or other children you work with talk in slang, acronyms and other codewords? Sara talks about some of the more common codewords being used by teenagers as well as whether those words are used to describe things that are harmless, risky or illegal.
Sara shares tips for a safe Halloween.
She talks about ways to keep safe on Halloween in general as well as tips specific to trick-or-treating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the third Weekly Webinar in our Back-to-School Series, Sara shares tips that may help make remote learning easier and more successful for you and your child.
She talks about motivation, obstacles, ways to make it fun as well as rewards and consequences.
This webinar is part of our Back-to-School Series.
Do you know what to do if a child you know tells you they've experienced abuse?
Sara talks about what you should (and shouldn't) say, how to report the abuse and more.
Sara discusses ways to reduce your child's anxiety as we prepare to head back to school. Whether they're headed back full-time, virtually or in a hybrid model, they likely have some anxiety about going back to school, wearing masks, interacting with friends and teachers, and more.
Sara shares tips for preparing our kids for returning to school this fall -- whether they're headed back virtually, a few days per week or full-time.
As parents and caregivers, it's important to set and explain boundaries as well as to model ways to respect boundaries. Those boundaries may vary by household (ie. doors open when friends are over), but a clear explanation of boundaries is helpful for you and your kids.
What is sexting? What are the consequences (socially, emotionally, legally, etc.)? How can we talk to our kids about it -- and prevent them from sharing inappropriate photos or information.
Help keep your kids safe this summer with these tips from Sara Flack, education coordinator at the Child Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes.
With kids home for the summer, parents headed back to work after quarantine and many camps canceled, you may be wondering if it's OK for your child to stay home alone.
Sara discusses red flags of neglect, maltreatment and human trafficking; where to get help; available apps and more.
Kids can experience day-to-day stress and anxiety and many may be feeling more anxious during COVID-19.
Sara explains the types of abuse, 10 warning signs and reasons why some people are abusive as well as why some people stay in an abusive relationship in “Teen Dating Violence.”
She also shares ways you can help a friend, child or student if you suspect they are in an abusive relationship.
Online Safety & Apps
We've all seen hashtags on social media posts, but what do they mean?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using them?
Are your kids talking about "crewmates" and "imposters"?
Have you wondered how safe the new, popular game "Among Us" is for them?
Sara explains the game and settings parents need to know.
Sara provides information about SnapChat for parents. Learn about the app, what a "streak" is, how to set privacy settings, and more.
Sara shares information about the popular app TikTok in this webinar. She discusses basics about the app as well as privacy features and guidelines for parents and caregivers.
Sara talks about online gaming, including Roblox and Fortnite. What is a battle royale in Fortnite? How do you control who can contact your child or invite them to play?
About the CACFL & our Community Partners
You've probably gotten an AMBER Alert notice on your phone, but have you wondered which cases warrant an AMBER Alert or what to do if you see the child, suspect or vehicle?
Sara talks about all of this and more in this Weekly Webinar.
In the first of a two-part series, Sara talks about Minimal Facts Interviews.
What is a minimal facts interview? Why are they completed? Who completes them?
Get answers to those questions and more in this Weekly Webinar.
In the second part of this series, Sara talks about Forensic Interviews and how they're different from a Minimal Facts Interview as well as when & how they are completed, and more. Forensic Interviews are one part of the child abuse investigation process. The Child Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes provides a child-friendly environment where trained professionals can perform forensic interviews. By providing age-appropriate rooms for forensic interviews to investigate allegations of child abuse, the CACFL can help minimize additional trauma to children.
Sara discusses OVS Compensation, including how is entitled to compensation from the Office of Victim Services, what a claim can cover, and more.
Sara discusses Orders of Protection (also known as Restraining Orders). What exactly is an Order of Protection? Who qualifies? How do you get one?
You may have heard the term "rape kit" on television, but what actually happens during a medical exam for a sexual abuse survivor?
Sara discusses ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences Study), which found connections between traumatic experiences in childhood and how they impact people into adolescence and adulthood. While most people have 1 or 2 ACES, the more ACES a person experiences, the greater risk of health and other issues during their lifetime. Sara also shares prevention measures and resources.
Sara talks about Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign; shares statistics about child abuse (nearly 90% of kids who experience abuse have been abused by someone they know, love and trust); and tells adults what they should say to a child if they disclose abuse, how to report it to the authorities, and more.
Mental Health
With the shorter winter days, some of us may be experiencing SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
Sara discusses SAD, including symptoms and treatment options.
Sara discusses Depression in Children, including warning signs and treatment options.
Sara talks about self-care and socialization during a pandemic during this week's webinar. As we enter the third month of social distancing, many of us are feeling quarantine fatigue and the frustration, anxiety and stress that accompanies it. Sara shares ways you can still take care of yourself and maintain social connections even while staying physically distant.