C-SC is one of the few colleges in the country that offers a minor in Child Advocacy Studies. In one of the six courses, students address a child abuse case by conducting a home investigation and parent interviews in a simulation laboratory called a “Mock House.” During the simulation, participants review witness reports, observe photographs indicating abuse, and manage mandated reporter calls.
Before the simulation, students in the CAST program prepare from various disciplines to work with children affected by traumatic events, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. The curricula in these courses are aligned with the Zero Abuse Project, and C-SC faculty collaborate with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network on the case where vignettes are used.
“This mock house simulation is one of the highlights of the students’ experiences,” Dr. Angel Knoverek said.” Knoverek serves the College as the CAST Coordinator and Director of Counselor Education. She continued, “It’s interesting to watch them balance the excitement related to learning with the intense heaviness of the topic and details related to the child abuse case. The simulation also helps them understand the need for self-care when working with individuals who have experienced trauma.” The mock house simulation is a one-day event at Culver-Stockton College.
For more information regarding the CAST program at C-SC, contact Dr. Angel Knoverek at aknoverek@culver.edu or (573)288-6000 ext. 6452.
Contact the Marketing & Public Relations Office, at pr@culver.edu or 573-288-6000 ext. 6728 for more information.
NOTE: A number that appears immediately after a person’s name (i.e. Jane Doe ’18) is a reference to the year that person earned their bachelor’s degree from Culver-Stockton.