Get Involved
Becoming a Part of Our Mission
Center for Hope’s Forensic Interview Research and Education (FIRE) Program allows all individuals impacted by trauma a voice and opportunity to be heard in forensic contexts. We accomplish this by educating professionals, supporting effective legal processes, and uniting research and practice to promote evidenced based techniques in forensic interviews.
The FIRE team at the Center for Hope offers many opportunities to get involved, and to help elevate and develop the forensic interview process. Interested in getting trained, volunteering, interning, or becoming a trainer yourself? Please see our current options below.
Learn with us!
Training Descriptions
From FIT training intended for people who may conduct forensic interviews, to Trial Skills for those who may be subpoenaed, and everything in between, learn more about our training to find the right course for you.
Calendar
Once you have identified a training path or course that you would like to attend, please check our calendar where we post currently scheduled trainings that are open for registration.
Join our team!
New Positions!
Forensic Interview Research & Education Trainer
(Training Associate)
Position Summary:
The Center for Hope’s Forensic Interview Education & Research program is committed to providing education and training to both our multi-disciplinary partners as well as members of the forensic interviewing community both locally and nationally. The FIRE Trainer will provide education and training locally, nationally, and internationally on forensic interviewing best practices and related advanced topics. The FIRE Trainer will assist the Education & Research team in promoting, organizing, and providing support for the departments’ training endeavors. The position will be responsible for creating curriculum and for conducting both online/virtual courses and in-person courses. Regular (monthly) out-of-state travel will be required. The ideal candidate will be an engaging presenter who is comfortable training small and large groups, stays current with forensic interview research, is organized, and has excellent customer service skills. This position is full-time, 40 hours per week. It is preferred the applicant lives locally; however, a remote employee is acceptable if they live within 1.5 hours from the nearest airport.
Education & Skills Required:
- Licensed Social Worker, Counselor, Psychologist
- 7+ years of forensic interview experience
- 2+ years of training experience preferred
- Bilingual English/Spanish helpful
Research & Innovation Coordinator
(Research Assistant)
Position Summary:
The Center for Hope’s Education and Research Program is committed to providing education and training to both our multi-disciplinary partners as well as members of the forensic interviewing community both locally and nationally. The Research Coordinator will assist the Education and Research program in promoting, organizing, and providing support for the departments’ research endeavors. The position will be responsible for supporting and being a liaison between LifeBridge Health’s Institutional Review Board and Center for Hope Program’s research endeavors. The Research Coordinator will collaborate with partnering research universities on projects at Center for Hope on both retrospective data studies and human subjects research. The ideal candidate will have experience as a research assistant, is organized, detail oriented, and is familiar with research measurement tools and platforms such as SPSS. This position is in-person, part-time, 24 hours per week with opportunity for full-time employment.
Education & Skills Required:
- Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred or related experience
- Previous experience with administering social science research projects, data collection and analysis
Internships
FIRE interns can join our team in administering tele-forensic interview research. You will have an opportunity to conduct scripted surveys following forensic interviews to gather data about the experiences of interviewees as it pertains to speaking through the computer, or face to face with a forensic interviewer. Special training will be given on how to conduct clinical research in a trauma-informed setting, how to work closely with the forensic interviewers, and how to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to support best outcomes for everyone who comes through the doors at Center for Hope.
Please contact us at [email protected] to inquire about openings.
Trainers
FIRE is recruiting part-time contractual trainers who are FIT graduates and have 5+ years’ experience in forensic interviewing to join our FIT faculty. Applicants must be willing to travel.
Volunteering
Every day, volunteers make a difference in the lives of children and families at Center for Hope. FIRE has volunteer opportunities with education programming and work supporting our research projects.
Please contact us at [email protected] to inquire about openings.
Attorneys and Law Students
FIRE is looking for attorneys and law students to assist in mock trials. The mock trial experience helps develop the skills of child advocacy center staff and other multidisciplinary partners working with child victims of sexual abuse and child witnesses of violent crimes who may testify in court.
You will participate in mock trials so that our trainees may engage in realistic court proceedings. We are interested in having attorneys present on a variety of topics including defending forensic interviews in court, voir dire, etc.
You may play the role of:
- Prosecutor
- Defense attorney
- Judge
You can expect to:
- Conduct direct and cross examinations
- Ask realistic questions relevant to child sexual abuse
- Provide helpful feedback to participants at the end of the mock trial
- Conduct additional presentations about legal proceedings
Please contact us at [email protected] to inquire about openings.
Careers
For more job opportunities with Center for Hope or LifeBridge Health, please visit our Careers page.
Giving and Support!
Donate to Support Our Mission
FIRE engages in research that directly impacts how we conduct forensic interviews as we maintain adherence to the most current best practices. Our goal is to help those impacted by trauma and provide the most up-to-date practices to the professionals we train. We are part of the Center for Hope and LifeBridge Health system which supports our expertise in violence prevention and intervention across the lifespan. Our mission is strengthened by the generous support from donors like you. Please consider giving to the FIRE Program at the Center for Hope today!