Oregon Child Forensic Interview Training

Oregon Child Forensic Interview Training (OCFIT) is a specialized forensic interview technique used to gather the greatest amount of reliable information in a child-sensitive, developmentally appropriate, and legally-defensible manner following allegations of abuse. Initial responders and those who talk to children following suspicions of abuse are encouraged to attend, including child forensic interviewers, law enforcement officers, child welfare personnel, and others are encouraged to attend.

No. A Forensic Interviewer must be or have been a law enforcement officer or a DHS Child Welfare worker, or have a master’s degree in a related field and two years of experience working with children, or a bachelor’s degree and four years of experience working with children; and have completed the Oregon Child Forensic Interview Training. Those who successfully complete OCFIT will receive a Certificate of Completion indicating they attended the training in its entirety and passed the post-test.

OCFIT is a 3.5 day training and held in locations throughout Oregon. Specific dates and locations are posted on Oregon Child Abuse Solutions website. Due to COVID-19, the Statewide Training Team is anticipating moving the training to an online format.

Applications will be available approximately 12 weeks before the training start date, and are accepted for six weeks. Exact release dates are TBA. Applications for OCFIT are due no later than six weeks before the training start date. Please email them to Sydney Johns at Sydney@childabuseintervention.org.

Yes. We cannot process your applications without your supervisor’s signature.

OCFIT tuition is $175. Tuition can be paid by check or credit card, and must be received before the training start date. Credit cards are processed via PayPal and subject to a 3% processing fee. If you would like to pay by credit card, please indicate this on your enrollment form. OCAS will invoice you directly through PayPal. If you are writing a check please put the applicant’s name in the subject/memo line. Mail checks to:

Oregon Network of Child Abuse Intervention Centers,
Attn: OCFIT
1827 NE 44th Ave, Ste 220
Portland, OR 97213

Yes, as long as you can demonstrate that your department has approved the expense and is processing the payment, and we receive payment before the training start date.

You are welcome to have multiple people from your department apply for OCFIT. However, space is extremely limited, and applications are prioritized to meet community needs. If you send more than two applications, please share with us who you would like us to prioritize first, second, third, etc. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee spots due to limited space.

Applications are reviewed and prioritized by Oregon Child Abuse Solutions, Regional Children’s Advocacy Centers and the Oregon Department of Justice based on regional training needs, position, and agency representation. Those who will conduct child forensic interviews in a children’s advocacy center receive priority enrollment.

OCAS will notify each applicant of their acceptance or waitlist status no later than 4 weeks before the training start date.

Applicants are responsible for their own travel expenses, including the hotel rooms. Breakfast and lunch are provided Tuesday-Thursday, and breakfast is provided on Friday.

Reimbursements through the Oregon Department of Justice may be available for Oregon professionals who are CAC staff interviewers, law enforcement, or child welfare workers and who receive a certificate of completion for the training. Contact Amanda VanTil for more information: Amanda.L.VanTil@doj.state.or.us.

Participants are required to attend the entire training in order to receive the Certificate of Completion. Participants cannot miss more than 30 minutes of the entire training to earn this certificate.