The Crime Victim Services Section of Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson’s office wanted to let you know that the application portal for our Finding Words Ohio Forensic Interview training is now open. The next class will be held Oct. 19-23 here at the Rhodes State Office Tower in Downtown Columbus. https://ohioattorneygeneral.regfox.com/finding-words-ohio-application-fall-2026
This training that teaches the Zero Abuse Project/ChildFirst protocol includes lecture and discussion, review of videotaped interviews, skillbuilding exercises and an interview practicum and is focused on helping those who interview victims of child abuse sex cases. It includes homework assignments and tests. Classes run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, and you must attend each day in its entirety to get credit for the course. CLEs/CEUs/CPTs have been approved.
Please note this is an application process ONLY. Class size is limited, so the 30 applicants who are accepted into the weeklong program will be notified later in September. Upon selection, you will be emailed instructions on how to secure your spot.
The cost to attend the course is $325, with travel, lodging and meals at your own expense (Though we do reserve a block of hotel rooms at government rate to help.)
But we do have some exciting news of note: We are working on a partnership this year that COULD cover the $325 registration cost - details will be unveiled soon - so please do not let cost be a factor in applying. However, even though the registration may be covered, attendance is still selective with priority given to those actively conducting interviews at CACs or those who soon will, followed by those who are members of the multi- disciplinary teams who work with them. We then balance the class out by discipline and region.
For questions, please contact Holly Andrews, Deputy Director of Support and Outreach in the Crime Victim Services Section, at Holly.Andrews@OhioAGO.gov or at 614-216-4909.