Pictured Left to Right: NCARC TTA Specialist, Bethany Black & NCARC Project Director, Deanna Chancellor.
August has been a busy and exciting month for the NCARC team. From traveling to conferences to providing training directly to individual Native Nations, our staff has been working hard to share knowledge and strengthen partnerships. One of the month’s highlights was the Dallas Crimes Against Children Conference, held August 3–7, 2025, in Dallas, Texas. This national event brought together over 5,000 professionals dedicated to protecting children and supporting victims.
Two of our staff members, Deanna Chancellor and Bethany Black, attended the conference. Deanna was a featured presenter, delivering two live sessions and one virtual session on “Three Considerations When Working with Native Nations.” This impactful training not only provided valuable information to non-Native partners but also encouraged a “mind-shift” for many attendees—helping them see new ways to work respectfully and effectively with Native Nations.
Participants appreciated the opportunity to ask questions in a welcoming space, where curiosity was met with openness rather than judgment. They expressed gratitude for learning about the complexities of jurisdiction and Tribal Sovereignty, and for gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and strengths of Native communities.
In addition to presenting, Deanna and Bethany attended several excellent sessions. One standout was “Missing and Endangered Children in Indian Country: A Case Study of an Interstate Recovery and Return to Gila River Indian Country” by Rachelle Rodriquez and Marisa Cervantes from the Gila River Indian Community. This powerful presentation examined the jurisdictional challenges and logistical coordination involved in a multi-state child recovery effort. It also explored the role of the Amber Alert in Indian Country and highlighted valuable resources available to both Tribal Nations and non-Tribal partners.
The conference featured an impressive lineup of speakers and sessions, offered both virtually and in-person. Many focused on Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)—topics that, while familiar to Multidisciplinary Teams, are gaining new urgency with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and increased online access by children.
Pictured left to right: Deanna Chancellor (NCARC), Sgt. Rachelle Rodriquez, Marisa Cervantes (Gila River Indian Community) and Tyesha Wood.
Another notable session was “Missing Children: Expanding the MDT Response to Address Child Sex Trafficking” by Gene Klein and Taylor Newton of Project Harmony. This training highlighted the Missing and Anti-Trafficking Services (MATYS) program in Omaha, Nebraska, and offered practical strategies for improving community responses to trafficking cases.
Overall, it was a week filled with learning, connection, and renewed dedication to making a difference. The NCARC team returned home inspired, informed, and ready to put new ideas into action.