UIS Alliance for Experiential Problem-Based Learning

04/23/2025

Governor J.B. Pritzker designated April 23, 2025 as Adverse Childhood Experiences Day in Illinois to further public awareness during April, which is designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month. This inaugural event was celebrated with Representative Michelle Mussman reading the proclamation and followed by others providing brief remarks on child advocacy: Kristin Kaufman, PCAI, Dr. Betsy Goulet, UIS, Julia Strehlow, IDPH, Kelly Crane, PCAA, and Adrian Rodriguez, Healing Centered Illinois Task Force. This occasion was championed by Prevent Child Abuse Illinois to encourage opportunities to strengthen collaborative efforts, raise awareness, and advocate for policies that support children and families affected by ACEs.

This proclamation followed a screening of the documentary Resilience: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope, which explores the groundbreaking science linking ACEs to long-term health outcomes. The screening, hosted by the Alliance for Experiential Problem-Based Learning at UIS, was followed by a panel discussion on the impact of ACEs and strategies for prevention and Hope. Students and other attendees from the community were provided an opportunity to ask questions to deepen the discussion on advocacy, prevention, and awareness. Speakers included Kelly Crane, Policy and Government Relations Manager, PCAA, Dr. Betsy Goulet, Senior Fellow CWLA, Gail Kolbeck, District 186 SEL/Behavior Strategist and Coordinator of the Springfield Resiliency Initiative, Chas Swearinger, Lincoln Behavioral Health Center, and Katherine Bensinger, LCPC and Founder/CEO ParenTeach Institute; moderated by Kristin Kaufman, PCAI

02/11/2025

Civil Service Vacancy

Program Assistant-Criminal Background Research PT (Contract)
Alliance for Experiential Problem-Based Learning/Academic Affairs

12/05/2024

We will be accepting FaLaLa Foster and Dreaming for Douglas donations on December 14th from 3:00-7:00pm at 100 N. Walnut in Rochester!

12/01/2024

Share your generosity with children who need extra love this season.

10/29/2024

Our efforts to collect Christmas gift donations for the children in our community are underway!

Click the link below to check out our Amazon Wishlist!

10/07/2024

2024, Fa-La-La Foster Information Below!

Help us gather Christmas gift donations for children in our community!

WHO: Douglas Alternative School + Children in our community in foster care.

How can you help?
•Visit our Amazon wish list by scanning the QR code below (or link in comments).
•Monetary donations can be sent via Venmo or by mail (The Alliance Team, One William Maxwell Lane, Public Affairs Center Room 419, Springfield, IL 62703).
•Other donations can be dropped off in Public Affairs Center room 419.

Please email Taylor McCarthy with any questions: [email protected]

09/30/2024

Christine Lindsay, Associate Director, Alliance for Experiential Problem-Based Learning.

Christine earned her master’s degree in human development counseling from the University of Illinois Springfield. She has over 30 years’ experience in social services, in various roles but always as an advocate for children and families. Christine joined the Training Academy as a simulation facilitator in August of 2019, becoming Associate Director in April of 2021.

Before joining the staff at UIS, Christine served as the Executive Director for Family Service Center in Springfield, a not-for-profit agency which provided case management services to youth-in-care and their families. Her experience includes over 20 years with child victims and their non-offending family members at the Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center.

In her free time, Christine enjoys yoga and spending time with her family.

Happy retirement, Christine! Our team will miss your wild sense of humor and your exceptional Excel skills.

08/18/2024

We know it’s only August but it’s never too early for some holiday cheer! 😉

Stay tuned for more information soon!

07/12/2024

07/12/2024

06/26/2024

Susan Evans, Director of Error Reduction Training and Founding Director of the Child Protection Training Academy
Susan came from the Department of Children and Family Services in 2015 to join the Child Protection Training Academy as the first Director. She brought 24 years of investigation and child protection training expertise to UIS and was instrumental in the design and implementation of the Academy. Her energy and enthusiasm in the training environment provided her the opportunities to engage with countless investigators and share her practical knowledge and experiences to help make a difference in their safety and to support their professional development. Her experiences helped inform and shape what we practice today for simulation training in the state of Illinois.

During her tenure with the CPTA Susan also was an adjunct Child Advocacy Studies instructor, contributed to two research publications, and presented countless times (including in the Netherlands) on simulation training. Susan moved to the Office of the Inspector General position in 2019. In that role Susan reimagined the Error Reduction training for investigators, adding the Alliance’s signature component, problem-based learning. Her passion and dedication to the field has made a definitive impact on their training and professional development. More importantly, because of her involvement in the development of the simulation training model, she will continue to make a difference in the lives of children across the nation.

In retirement, we suspect that Susan will continue her volunteering gig with Happy Hooves Equine Rescue and traveling to Africa to tame the lions and elephants. But we know she will continue to spoil her grandsons and bulldogs, enjoy more time with her family and friends on the lake, and slow down to enjoy the calm.

The entire Alliance team is incredibly grateful for Susan’s talent, her amazing sense of humor, and her unending kindness. We look forward to future discussions and brainstorming in the years ahead. Thank you Susan, for your dedication and commitment to at-risk children and families. Her retirement began June 1, 2024.