MCASA’s Summer Prevention Lunch & Learn Series - Session #1: Sexual Violence Prevention in Schools

Join MCASA for a free Sexual Violence Summer Prevention Training Lunch & Learn Series! This series features panel discussions with experts in the prevention field. The first Lunch & Learn session in this series will be on Sexual Violence Prevention in Schools: Engaging Students, Families, and School Communities.

About Training Session #1:

• During this session, participants will learn how local Rape Crisis Centers, advocacy organizations, and government agencies have successfully implemented youth prevention programming and resources in schools throughout Maryland.
• Panelists will discuss the shared and unique needs of the school populations they serve, the importance of building trust with school leaders and parents, and effective strategies for engaging youth in conversations about sexual violence prevention.
• The session will also address common challenges when introducing prevention programming in schools and explore ways preventionists, advocates, and service providers can begin building partnerships with educational institutions.
• By the end of the training, participants will be able to identify multiple models of successful school-based prevention programming and outreach. Participants will also learn how to cultivate trust with school leaders, staff, parents, and students.

Meet the Trainers for Session #1:

Angeles Evans, Director of Community Engagement and Training at TurnAround, Inc.

Angeles Evans holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Morgan State University. She is a facilitator and trainer with 15+ years of experience in prevention education, specializing in the subject matters of sexual and intimate partner violence, child abuse, and intersectionality. In her current role, her department provides prevention education services to 4,000+ community members on a yearly average. She has also led agency initiatives, including the development of TurnAround’s School Response Toolkit, launching a youth-based Bystander Intervention Train-the-Trainer program, and alongside her team –– continues to expand survivor and community engagement through annual awareness programs like the Purple Poetry Book and Denim Day.

Danielle Thomas, Ed.D, Victim Services Coordinator at the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy

Dr. Danielle Thomas serves as the Victim Services Coordinator at the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, where she supports statewide victim services initiatives and the ongoing development of Maryland's sexual assault and human trafficking response. She began this work as a Regional Navigator for the Lower Eastern Shore, where she built a multidisciplinary program to serve the rural region. In her current role, Danielle works closely with Regional Navigators, state agencies, and community partners to strengthen collaboration, align policy and practice, and support survivor centered systems of care. Danielle holds a Doctorate of Education from Liberty University. Her research on the lived experiences of advocates responding to child trafficking in rural communities continues to inform her trauma responsive, evidence informed approach to systems level work.

Lauren Cooper, Executive Director and Forensic Interviewer at the Worcester County Child Advocacy Center

Lauren Cooper serves as the Executive Director and Forensic Interviewer at the Worcester County Child Advocacy Center, where she supports child abuse intervention, prevention, and multidisciplinary response efforts across Worcester County. In her role, Lauren conducts forensic interviews, leads CAC operations, collaborates with law enforcement, child protective services, prosecutors, medical providers, and victim service partners, and provides education to schools and community groups. She has conducted more than 1,000 forensic interviews and has taught forensic interviewing protocol to multidisciplinary team members to strengthen consistent, child-centered investigative practices. Lauren holds two Master of Science degrees from Wilmington University in Criminal Behavior and Leadership and Administration, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Salisbury University.

Alexandra Hochhaus, Youth Prevention Coordinator at Heartly House

Alexandra Hochhaus is the former Youth Engagement and Prevention Manager for Project H.E.A.R.T.S., the youth program of Heartly House. Since 2024, Project H.E.A.R.T.S. has reached over 4000 youth in Frederick County through dynamic workshops promoting healthy relationships and sexual violence prevention. We are a trusted partner with Frederick County Public Schools, Boys and Girls Club, and the Frederick County YMCA, among other local organizations. Alexandra led a team of youth engagement coordinators in the creation and full implementation of the program and recently stepped into a part-time role to focus on completing her Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling at Hood College. Her experience includes 13 years in teaching, educational leadership, program development, and youth mentoring.

Additional Training Information:

• This training is free and will occur in Eastern Standard Time. 
• Upon registering, you will see a screen that says your registration is pending. After your registration details are approved, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom with the login information. 
• Certificates of Attendance may be requested after the training. 
  • You can expect to receive your Certificate of Attendance within 4-6 weeks of submitting the Certificate Request Form.

Upcoming Lunch & Learn Session:

• Session #2: Child Sexual Abuse Prevention in Maryland Panel
• Date: August 12, 2026
• Registration and session details coming soon!