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AFN SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIG)


All SIG positions are volunteer positions filled by AFN members in good standing. These positions require a time commitment of four to six hours per month.

Guests are welcome at all SIG meetings! AFN members can view a listing of every SIG and Committee meeting on our Event Calendar (be sure to log in first). Listings include a Google Meet link to join the meeting.

 

If you have additional questions about a SIG, you may click on the "Contact Chair" button under the corresponding SIG listed below.

Death Investigation

Chair: 
Co-Chair: 

Annette Cannon

Amy Riegert

Meeting Frequency / Time

Once Monthly: 4th Wednesday @ 2 p.m. ET

The Death Investigation SIG supports forensic nurse examiners in the application of their knowledge, training, experience, and expertise to investigate causes and manners of death. This SIG is dedicated to the application of evidence-based principles of medico-legal death investigation.

Elder Abuse

Chair: 
Co-Chair: 

Debbie St. Germain

Amber Smith

Meeting Frequency / Time

Once Monthly: 4th Friday @ 1 p.m. ET

The Elder Abuse SIG is dedicated to bringing awareness to the incidence of maltreatment and neglect of elderly adults. This SIG is focused on providing education and tools to other healthcare professionals and those involved in the investigation of elder abuse to aide in its prevention, identification, documentation, and treatment.

Harm Reduction

Chair: 
Co-Chair: 

Natalie Evenson

Rachel Lapp

Meeting Frequency / Time

Once Monthly: 2nd Monday @ 6 p.m. ET

The Harm Reduction SIG focuses on promotion and implementation of harm-reduction strategies in communities and populations that have been affected by violence directly or indirectly. These strategies can include increased education, awareness, and available resources.

Human Trafficking

Chair: 
Co-Chair: 

Rosario Sanchez

Lauren Mays

Meeting Frequency / Time

Once Monthly: 3rd Tuesday @ 7 p.m. ET

Human trafficking is the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker and/or others. The Human Trafficking SIG is dedicated to ensuring the prompt identification, evidence-based treatment, and proper healing of victims of human trafficking. Providing nurses and others who may encounter these victims with the tools necessary to timely identify and properly treat them.

International

Chair: 
Co-Chair: 

Catherine Carter-Snell

Kimberly Kasper

Meeting Frequency / Time

Once Monthly: 1st Tuesday @ 11 a.m. ET

The International SIG supports forensic nurses working abroad or outside of the United States.

Mentorship

Chair: 
Co-Chair: 

Natalie Evenson

Deb Holbrook

Meeting Frequency / Time

First Meeting May 7 @ 12 p.m. ET - Regular meeting time TBD

The Mentoring SIG is a place to find professional mentorship, support, and guidance as you progress in your career as a forensic nurse. Whether you are new to the field of forensic nursing or are an experienced forensic nurse looking for mentorship for presenting, writing, or new to a leadership role, this is a place for you!

Pediatric

Chair: 
Co-Chair: 

Tracey Wagner

Cheryl Wier

Meeting Frequency / Time

Once Monthly: 4th Wednesday @ 2 p.m. ET

The Pediatric SIG promotes the provision of evidence-based care to pediatric victims of maltreatment. This SIG is focused on providing education and tools to other healthcare professionals and those involved in the investigation of child maltreatment to aide in its prevention, identification, documentation, and treatment.

Rural

Chair: 
Co-Chair: 

Teresa Devitt-Lynch

Olivia Flaherty

Meeting Frequency / Time

Once Monthly: 4th Wednesday @ 5 p.m. ET

The Rural SIG will look at the special needs, lack of services, and misperceptions in small towns and rural areas when it comes to serving people affected by sexual assault, violence, and trauma.

School Nurse

Chair: 
Co-Chair: 

Jennifer Barrett

Amanda Bowling

Meeting Frequency / Time

TBD

The School Nurse/Public Health SIG supports those providing nursing services and prevention efforts to promote the health and safety of children and adolescents in the primary and secondary education settings.

Violence & Behavior

Chair: 
Co-Chair: 

Anne Troy

Meeting Frequency / Time

Once Monthly: 3rd Wednesday @ 7 p.m. ET

The Violence & Behavior SIG focuses on violence – specifically its definitions, manifestations, situations, operations, and legal definitions. The SIG looks at both offender behavior and victim behavioral responses; the brain and behavior as they correlate to the neurobiology of trauma; and the consistent incorporation of ACEs and PACEs in all forensic assessment and treatment.

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