Virtual CSE-IT Training

The Child Sex Trafficking Team at The Office of the Governor, Greg Abbott, is pleased to invite you to a free user training on the CSE-IT (Commercial Sexual Exploitation Identification Tool) screening tool utilized to assess at-risk youth for child sexual exploitation.

Since Texas’ adoption of the tool over 23,000 youth have been screened by service providers, state agencies, juvenile departments, children’s advocacy centers and others. Over 2500 of those screened have shown a Clear Concern for indications of exploitation.

The Office of the Governor strongly encourages all youth serving organizations that may come in contact with those that are vulnerable to, or have already experienced, commercial sexual exploitation of youth (CSEY) to consider implementing the CSE-IT tool.

User certification is a pre-requisite for use of the tool. Due to limited seating, agencies should only send those employees that have regular contact with youth at high risk for exploitation. Certification is granted to individual users and is not transferable. Attendees must attend a training by an authorized CSE-IT trainer and satisfactorily complete the entire course to be certified.

User Training Learning Objectives:1. Identify advantages of using the CSE-IT to identify commercially sexually exploited youth.

2. Understand the 8 key indicators of the CSE-IT.

3. Describe the importance of using a trauma informed approach when interviewing sexually exploited youth.

4. Use inclusive, non-stigmatizing, non-judgmental language and techniques for working with this population.

5. Learn how to use the CSE-IT and the Lighthouse platform.

Organizations will need a licensure agreement for use of the Lighthouse platform and to share de-identified data with the developer (Allies Against Slavery) to support continuing CSE-IT validation research. This organization that will help user agencies to understand the data generated by the tool.

Please note the following on-line training expectations that must be met in order to receive a Certificate of Completion for the CSE-IT Training:

• Attend the on-line training “in person” via webcam in order affirm your participation. We will be keeping attendance to maintain the records of attendance during the training.

• Be an engaged learner in the on-line training platform for the entirety of the training. (Please note there will be a brief break during the training). Additionally, the platform report will keep a record of your attendance as well.

• Join early – up to 5 minutes before the meeting start time.

• If you have not used this platform before arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the meeting and familiarize yourself with any features you may need to use on the day – mute/unmute microphone, stop/start video etc. If you use your computer you will get the best results.

• You are expected to have your video. If you have connection issues notify your IT department and make a note in the chat of the challenge.

• Find a quiet space without interruptions / background noise.

• Adjust your camera to be at around eye level if possible – especially take note of the angle of your laptop screen if using the built-in camera.

• Mute your microphone when not talking.

• Be aware you are on camera and try to avoid doing other tasks, i.e. checking emails, looking at your phone etc. Please do not plan to be moving around, no driving is allowed during the presentation.