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 in a related field and four years of experience working with children, or have a combination of education and experience at least equivalent to the aforementioned as determined by the CAC where the forensic interviewer is employed or volunteers; and have completed the Oregon Child Forensic Interview Training. In addition, the forensic interviewer must complete at least eight hours of training in child maltreatment and/or forensic interviewing every two years, and participate in peer review at least semi-annually or more frequently. 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 in-person is a 3.5 day training and is 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 offers an online option that takes place over five partial days and one full day on the Zoom platform, covering 32 hours of training.

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 registration@oregoncas.org.

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

OCFIT tuition is $179.24 when paid through our website donation form ($175.00 plus processing fees). Tuition can also be paid by check or credit card, and must be received before the training start date for the application to be considered. If you are writing a check please put the applicant’s name in the subject/memo line. Mail checks to:

Oregon Child Abuse Solutions
Attn: OCFIT
4300 NE Fremont St., 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. Email registration@oregoncas.org to coordinate with our team.

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.

For in-person trainings, 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.