Litigation and Evaluation involving Abuse Allegations in Family Court Cases (LEFCC)
IVAT Specialty Certification for Family Court Professionals
Litigation and Evaluation involving Abuse Allegations in Family Court Cases (LEFCC) is a donor subsidized innovative specialized training for legal professionals (family court lawyers, judges, GALs, etc.) and mental health professionals (expert witnesses, child custody evaluators, etc.) sponsored by the Professional Consortium on Abuse Allegations in Family Court. The in-person LEFCC training takes place over 2.5 days and certification at each site is limited. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply for the full certification program. Advocates, students, and others who do not want/need certification are invited to apply for the Friday and Saturday (Days 1 & 2 only) sessions.
LEFCC Training to Certification
The LEFCC training has a collaborative focus, providing interdisciplinary perspectives to enhance skills for professionals working with victims of domestic violence and abuse in family court. Topics address the long-term changes and effects of trauma and abuse and deal with emerging issues related to complex custody cases. The full program training to certification offers an opportunity to network and collaborate with other professionals from different backgrounds, working together towards similar goals - improving representation and services available for victims of domestic violence and abuse and their children.
How do I apply for LEFCC?
Applications from individuals wishing to obtain certification (full program) OR attend the Days 1& 2 training must be accepted to register for training. Now accepting applications for 2025 sites. Enrollment is open until spots are filled. Certification at each site is limited to 50 individuals for all 3 days - 25 attorneys/ GALs and 25 mental health professionals/ custody evaluators. The LEFCC training program accepts up to 50 additional individuals for the Friday and Saturday (Days 1 & 2 only) sessions.
This is an advanced interdisciplinary training that requires some previous experience and/or training in the areas of domestic violence, child maltreatment and family law. Applicants must attest to six hours of education and training on domestic violence and/or child maltreatment in the last five years. Applicants are to provide a personal statement describing their interest and commitment in the certification program and in attending the in-person and subsequent trainings. Decisions for admittance to training and certification is based on expertise, commitment, and personal statement - people who are actively working on these cases and committed to child safety. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and Continuing Education (CE) Credits are available.
Accepting applications on a first come, first served basis until capacity reached at each site.
Upcoming LEFCC 2025 Trainings* - Applications open now!
Please note some dates may be subject to change.
March 7th - 9th, 2025 @ San Diego, California
May 16th - 18th, 2025 @ Nashville, Tennessee
June 27th - 29th, 2025 @ Salt Lake City, Utah
November 14th - 16th, 2025 @ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Target Audience – Legal and Mental Health Professionals
Legal Professionals: Attorneys, family court lawyers, judges, GALs, and other court professionals
Mental Health Professionals: Licensed mental health professionals, expert witnesses, child custody evaluators, etc.
Program Cost
The 30-hour certification program consists of 20 hours in-person training and 10 additional hours of online training. Faculty consultations and technical assistance are available for those in the full certification program. Continuing Education credits are available for purchase.
Days 1 & 2 Training only (no CE/CLE’s) - $130
Days 1 & 2 Training only (with CE/CLE’s) - $180
3-Day Certification Program (no CE/CLE’s) - $200
3-Day Certification Program (with CE/CLE’s) - $300
The cost of the full program certification includes 30 hours of training - 20 hours on-site and 10 hours of online webinars. Full certification cost with CE/CLE’s ($300) includes on-site continuing education credits only. Additional credits may be purchased separately for webinars and on-demand content.
★ Program Highlights ★
Available CLE and CE Credits
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and Continuing Education (CE) Credits are available. The full program certification cost includes 10 hours of online training. Continuing Education credit must be purchased separately for webinars and on-demand content.
Recommended Reads for Training
Explore essential reading materials for your training journey with IVAT's curated book list. Purchase these books seamlessly at our on-site, in-person sessions or conveniently through our website, fostering continuous learning and professional growth.
Specialty Certification for Family Court Professionals
For questions regarding the Specialty Certification: LEFCC@ivatcenters.org
Benefits of Certifications
List of 2024 Trainers
The 30-hour certification program consists of 20 hours in-person training and 10 hours of online webinars. Faculty consultations and technical assistance available for those in the certification program. In-person training takes place over 2 1/2 days. Certification at each site is limited. Advocates, students, and others who do not want/ need certification are invited to apply for the Friday and Saturday (Days1 & 2 only) sessions. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and Continuing Education (CE) Credits are available for purchase. Full program certification cost includes 10 hours online training. Continuing Education credit must be purchased separately for webinars and on-demand content. Acceptance to the full program indicates a commitment to successful progress towards certification within 3 months of completing the in-person training.
Questions? Please email us at LEFCC@ivatcenters.org
The Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT) maintains responsibility for this continuing education program and its content. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) now accepts APA continuing education credit for license renewal for LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs. These approvals satisfy requirements for different disciplines in many states; however, requirements vary. Please check with your state credentialing Board. The Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT) is approved by the California Board of Registered Nurses to offer continuing education for nurses (CEP #13737). Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT) is approved by the State Bar of California to offer Minimum Continuing Legal Education for attorneys (#11600). Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT) is approved by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) to sponsor continuing education for certified alcohol and drug abuse counselors (Provider #IS-03-499-0223). Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7385. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma, #1857, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 7/18/2024 – 7/18/2027. Social workers completing this course receive up to 6 clinical continuing education credits, 3 ethics continuing education credits, 1.5 cultural competence continuing education credits and 9.5 general continuing education credits. *** Please note that each State determines whether or not they will accept California Accreditations. Please contact your state board representative if you are not sure whether or not the program will qualify under your regulations.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to LEFCC@ivatcenters.org. Registrations cancelled within 5 days of initial sign up will receive a full refund less a 3% credit card transaction fee. Registrations canceled after this 5 day period will not receive a refund, but can transfer registration fee to another IVAT webinar. For more information on this policy, please contact LEFCC@ivatcenters.org.