The 2024 New York State ATSA and Alliance for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse Conference

By David S. Prescott, LICSW, ATSA-F

A Diverse and Engaging Experience

One of the joys of ATSA membership is being able to travel to different state ATSA conferences. Each one is different, and each reflects the landscape and culture of the area surrounding the event. Every conference is organized slightly different, and the New York State ATSA/Alliance conference is a prime example of what a conference can be under the right conditions.

The Perfect Setting: Saratoga Springs

New York is a large state with differing regions. Western New York, with Buffalo being the largest city is a different environment from Northern New York (Watertown, Plattsburgh, etc.), for example, and the New York City metropolitan area more different still. The conference has been held for several years now in Saratoga, a beautiful town best known for its natural springs and horse racing. In May, it presents the perfect combination of natural beauty and a thriving downtown. It is a perfect fit for people coming in from all corners of the state and beyond.

A Welcoming Atmosphere

The NYS ATSA Board of Directors maintain a welcoming presence throughout each event. The first things one notices on arrival are the various get-togethers where old friends re-connect and newcomers are welcome, including gatherings at a local pub and early-morning meditation sessions. And the pre-conference presentations, keynotes, and concurrent workshops all feature a great balance of local and (inter)national talent.

Insightful and Applicable Pre-Conference Workshops

The pre-conference workshops for this year included David Thornton on theoretical and empirical issues in the use of protective factors in assessment. Jenna Sachs and Lorraine DiFiglia presented on their work with trauma-informed crisis response teams, and Kim Spence presented on forensic assessment and best practices with clients on the Autism spectrum.

Timely Keynote Addresses

The keynote addresses covered many bases and reflected the various signs of the times: Alex Rodrigues spoke on the TEAMS (Triage, Education, Assessment, Monitoring, and Skills Building) approach for addressing adolescent online sexual behavior. Alex is, as always, a dynamic and resourceful presenter with good ideas that he organizes very well. The second keynote focused on New York State’s new targeted violence prevention strategy, formed in the wake of the 2022 racist attack on a supermarket in Buffalo. The presenters were Paula Granger, Sara Winegar Budge, and Sammie Wicks. It was clear that the presenters had studied and knew their audience. They represent a field much like ours in the 1990s – filled with very good ideas based on sound practices, while remaining in need of further research. What was clear in their approach was that they have put very considerable and balanced effort into their work; it was not a consciousness-raising effort nearly as much as a progress report based on the best available evidence.

Relevant Concurrent Workshops

The keynote address for the third day was Kim Spence. She has become a familiar name on the conference circuit, and for good reason. Her keynote combined the latest research and ample practical applications. She used case examples to illustrate what professionals need to know and emphasized the need for expertise and best practices. Most welcome to this writer was the sheer applicability of it all, from the basics of teaching social skills to areas of particular concern, such as the use of public bathrooms. She somehow combined all of this with a sense of humor that was edgy yet very compassionate towards her clientele and other professionals.

Finally, the concurrent workshops were all timely and presented well. Sarah Louer and Ashley Wilfore gave a talk on balancing least restrictive practices with less resources for the treatment of adult clients with intellectual disabilities. Angelique Caley presented on intervening with adolescents who are suicidal. Robert McGrath gave a workshop on the ROSAC (Risk of Sexual Abuse of Children). These and other topics do not get the attention they deserve in the usual mix of conferences.

Next year!

Once again, NYS ATSA and the NYS Alliance pulled off an excellent experience for all! And during the proceedings they announced that next year’s conference will again be in Saratoga.