We're SHIFT Wellness
WHO WE ARE
SHIFT Wellness
Supporting Heroes in Mental Health Foundational Training (SHIFT) was developed by The Innocent Justice Foundation (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization) with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). With a team made up of globally recognized mental health professionals and Internet Crimes Against Children Commanders, SHIFT aims to help exposed individuals and supporting mental health professionals work together to mitigate the negative effects of viewing child abuse images.
Educate individuals and improves their ability to prevent and mitigate negative effects associated with exposure to child sexual exploitation and abuse materials
To train mental health professionals on child sexual exploitation and abuse, its effects, vicarious trauma (VT) and proven effective treatment methods
To train mental health professionals and law enforcement trainers to conduct regional and local SHIFT training
Conduct training of advanced topics for exposed individuals live at conferences and via web based education
TIJF
The Innocent Justice Foundation is 501(c)(3) charitable organization that leverages offers training and resources to support justice and other professionals that can help rescue millions of sexually abused American children and prevent future abuse. We take requests from law enforcement agencies nationwide battling on the front lines to protect innocents, give justice to abused children, take predators off the streets, and make our neighborhoods safe again.
OJJDP
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization. OJJDP supports states and communities in their efforts to develop and implement effective and coordinated prevention and intervention programs and to improve the juvenile justice system so that it protects public safety, holds offenders accountable, and provides treatment and rehabilitative services tailored to the needs of juveniles and their families. OJJDP administers the Internet Crimes Against Children task force program nationwide.
OUR TEAM
Staff
Beth Medina
CEO / Program Director
Her background includes her more than 20 years of experience in non-profit, education and mental health fields, including extensive experience developing and launching new programs and designing curriculum for community-based organizations.
Beth holds a BA from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a Paralegal degree from Roosevelt University, a Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the California Graduate Institute and completed her Doctoral work in Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Beth A. Medina
CEO / Program Director
Jill Collins
Senior Program Coordinator
Jill serves as Senior Program Coordinator at The Innocent Justice Foundation (TIJF). She works with travel arrangements and compiling training materials and data for post-training reports. She also maintains QuickBooks, monthly budget updates and financial reports.
Prior to working at TIJF, Jill worked for a stock brokerage firm in San Francisco as a software trainer. She instructed employees on Microsoft Office and line-of-business applications, both in a classroom setting and one-on-one. She also created course manuals and quick reference guides. A few buyouts and mergers later she found herself managing software trainers across the country for Bank of America. Fourteen years later Jill left Bank of America to start a family. Between then and now they moved to Denver, San Diego, Australia and back to San Diego with Jill doing part-time bookkeeping along the way.
Now at The Innocent Justice Foundation, Jill enjoys being able to use all of her skills towards such an important cause.
Jill Collins
Program Manager
Michele Sippel
Program Coordinator
Michele serves as the Program Coordinator at The Innocent Justice Foundation (TIJF) where she works in collaboration with the Program Manager to support in coordinating implementation of the SHIFT program.
Prior to working with TIJF, Michele worked in the hospitality industry for over 25 years. Her passion for working with and inspiring others led her to make health and wellness a priority and to a degree in Nutrition and Health Coaching. Growing up in a law enforcement family and working with TIJF has inspired her to continue her education to become a victim advocate/assistance counselor.
Michele lives in San Diego, CA with her husband and four rescue animals.
Michele Sippel
Program Coordinator
Trainers
Alan Flora
LE Trainer
Alan K. Flora retired in 2021 as the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Computer Crimes Unit of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI). He began his law enforcement career as a Deputy Sheriff in 1992 and then moved to the NCSBI in 1998.
As a Special Agent with the NCSBI, he led hundreds of cases including homicide, arson, embezzlement, public corruption, drug violations and sex crimes. He served on the NCSBI Hostage/Crisis Negotiation Team for fifteen years.
SAC Flora spent the last fourteen years of his career in the NCSBI Computer Crimes Unit as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. This group investigated cases involving online predators and other crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. From 2015 until his retirement in 2021, SAC Flora served as the Commander of the North Carolina ICAC Task Force, comprised of 200 local, state, and federal member agencies.
SAC Flora is a graduate of Gardner-Webb University and NC State University's Administrative Officer Management Program. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Criminal Justice through Saint Leo University.
Alan Flora
Anthony M. Maez
Anthony M. Maez is an accomplished law enforcement professional with a distinguished career spanning over 35 years. Currently serving as a certified/commissioned Deputy Commander with the Albuquerque Police Department, Anthony brings a wealth of expertise and experience to his role.
LE Trainer
Before his return to the Albuquerque Police Department, Anthony held significant positions in the field of law enforcement. He served as the Special Agent in Charge with the Office of New Mexico Attorney General, where he demonstrated his exceptional leadership skills. During his time in this role, he also commanded the New Mexico Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the New Mexico Human Trafficking Task Force, playing a pivotal role in combating these heinous crimes.
Notably, Anthony is recognized as a national trainer and lecturer in various areas of law enforcement. He has provided extensive training on violent crime investigations, technology used to stalk, internet crimes against children, and human trafficking investigations. Drawing on his vast knowledge, he has authored several investigative guides for law enforcement and prosecutors in these critical subjects.
Anthony's dedication to justice extends beyond national borders. He serves as a trainer for The Innocent Justice Foundation/SHIFT program, the National Criminal Justice and Training Center, and the Office for Victims of Crime, both nationally and internationally. Anthony's commitment to sharing his expertise has made a significant impact on the global fight against crime.
In addition to his law enforcement accomplishments, Anthony is also an esteemed educator. As an Associate Faculty member for the College of Business and the College of Criminal Justice and Security at the University of Phoenix, he imparts his knowledge and experiences to aspiring professionals. In recognition of his expertise, he is also invited to lecture at the University of New Mexico, School of Law, further contributing to the development of future legal minds.
Anthony's educational background is equally impressive. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Education from Wayland Baptist University, reflecting his commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. Additionally, he obtained a Master of Arts in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University, further enhancing his understanding of the intricate dynamics within the law enforcement realm.
Anthony M. Maez's contributions to law enforcement, education, and the fight against crime have been invaluable. With an unwavering dedication to public service, he continues to make a significant difference in the lives of individuals and communities affected by these pressing issues.
Anthony M. Maez
Carol Brusca
MHP Trainer
Carol S. Brusca is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and National Trainer. She is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Carol is the Office of the New Mexico Attorney General's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Mental Health Provider (MHP).
As MHP, she supports staff through training, resources, check-ins, and brief therapy sessions. Carol enjoys teaching others about the benefits of wellness and the simple steps that can be taken to reduce stress and increase happiness and peace of mind. She trains law enforcement, probation, and parole, advocates, therapists, across the country on vicarious trauma, resilience, wellness and stress management.
Carol has extensive experience teaching at the college level to both Bachelor's level and Graduate level students in both the Human Services and Counseling areas. She is the Clinical Consultant for Albuquerque Street Connect, a street outreach team serving mentally ill adults living on the streets.
Carol Brusca
David Frattare
LE Trainer
David Frattare currently serves as the Director of State Investigations and the Statewide Commander for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. From 1997 to 2009, Commander Frattare was employed as a Special Agent with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Commander Frattare has given more than 400 Internet safety presentations and has appeared on numerous television and radio news programs to discuss Internet crimes against children and Internet safety issues. Commander Frattare is a Deputy United States Marshal assigned to the United States Secret Service; Electronic Crimes Task Force and the Cleveland FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
He is an Associate Instructor for the National Criminal Justice Training Center at Fox Valley Technical College, and a Senior Chaplain with the International Fellowship of Chaplains.
David Frattare
Eric Oldenburg
Retired from the Phoenix Police Department
Eric Oldenburg recently retired from the Phoenix Police Department after serving for 24 years. He began investigating child sexual exploitation in 1999 after being assigned to the Vice Enforcement Unit. In 2001, Eric was assigned to the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. During this time, he conducted online proactive undercover investigations relating to the sexual exploitation of minors as well as reactive cases involving the possession, distribution and manufacture of child pornography.
From 2007 to 2015, Eric was assigned as a computer forensic examiner for the Phoenix Police Department and in 2008 received his Certified Computer Forensic Examiner (CFCE) certification from the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS). During this assignment, he worked as a forensic examiner with a focus on child sexual exploitation investigations. Eric, along with other members of the Arizona ICAC, created a workflow policy for forensic examinersto focus on Victim ID and minimize traumatic exposure to child exploitative material,usingProject VIC and Griffeye Analyze.
Eric is now employed with Griffeye Inc. as a Law Enforcement Liaison officer. Griffeye Inc develops software for child crimes investigators to help identify known child exploitation material, reduce their exposure to this harmful material and help locate victims.
Eric Oldenburg
Jean McAllister
MHP Trainer
Ms. Jean McAllister is an independent consultant and trainer with her own business, JGM Consulting LLC, and has more than 30 years of experience working to address trauma and interpersonal violence.
Her work has focused on sexual assault, child abuse and sexual abuse, domestic violence, trauma and victimization, offender dynamics, secondary trauma intervention, stress management, organizational development and policy development.
Jean McAllister
Kevin J. Albanese
LE Trainer
Kevin J. Albanese was a certified and commissioned law enforcement officer in the State of Connecticut for over 22 years. Prior to his retirement in 2016, he was the supervising Sergeant for the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes Investigations Unit, and the Commander of the Connecticut Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
As a result of his commitment, over the past four years the Connecticut ICAC Task Force has had a significant increase in investigations and prosecutions on both the state and federal level. For his efforts and steadfast commitment, Kevin was the recipient of several citations from the Connecticut State Police for his work in ICAC.
Kevin currently owns a network security consulting business that concentrates in the pharmaceutical software area. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice and Law Administration for Western Connecticut State University. Kevin joined SHIFT as a training consultant in 2015
Kevin Albanese
Kris Carlson
President of LCG, LLC
Kris Carlson is currently the president of LCG, LLC based out of Houston, TX, a nationally recognized firm specializing in risk management, digital forensics, corporate investigations and litigation support. Kris has over 24 years of experience in civil and criminal investigations, digital forensics and high-tech computer and Internet investigations.
Prior to moving to civil work, Kris was alaw enforcement officer for 15 years and was a member of one of the first 10 Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces formed by DOJ starting in 1999 (the Northern New England ICAC). While serving with ICAC, Kris was cross trained as a computer forensic examiner and high-tech crimes investigator and after being promoted to Detective Sergeant and ultimately Detective Lieutenant during which time Vermont formed its own ICAC and Kris was named Commander where he was responsible for full operational oversight of the statewide task force for over 6 years.
Simultaneously, to his tenure with the ICAC, Kris was a Detective in and after promotion was named the Directorof the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations (CUSI - the special victims unit) in the largest county in the state responsible for the investigation of all sexually based offenses, serious child abuse and child fatality investigations.
Based on his experience with the VT-ICAC and CUSI, after being named Commander in the 2008-2009 time frame, Kris formed one of the first mental health wellness programs for ICAC personnel with an embedded mental health professional in the US and shortly thereafter joined SHIFT to develop the first national curriculum.
Kris was a primary instructor for the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Counsel for over 13 years and has presented to and has trained thousands of law enforcement personnel, prosecutors and civilian support staff across the United States and in Canada on the topics of technical investigations, sexual assault/abuse investigations, interview and interrogation, mental health wellness and has testified before the US Senate Judiciary Committee regarding ICAC task force operations.
Kris Carlson
Matt Kail
Lt. Matthew Kail is the Commander of the Maryland State Police Technical Investigation Section. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Studies from the University of Maryland University College with a minor in Criminal Justice.
He has been a Maryland State Trooper for 20 years and Commander of the Technical Investigation Section since 2014. Prior to this current assignment, he was the barrack commander of the Maryland State Police Barrack "D" Bel Air.
As a criminal investigator, Lt. Kail spent a majority of his career assigned to the FBI Baltimore Field Office investigating cyber-crime with an emphasis on child exploitation investigations.
Matt Kail
Rachel Murdock
Rachel Murdock, MS, LPC, LCPC is the owner/clinician providing mental health counseling in private practice with Beyond the Storm Behaviora lHealth, LLC. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Kansas and is a board approved supervisor for provisionally licensed counselors in both states. Her practice specializes in mental health counseling for individuals experiencing anxiety, mood disorders, or post-traumatic stress, first responders, and survivors of abuse.
Rachel is an adjunct faculty member with Missouri State University’s Department of Psychology, where she created a course, Psychology of Child Abuse and Exploitation, and co-authored a textbook regarding issues of compliant victimization, dynamics of child abuse, process of disclosure, and other topics related to child abuse. Rachel has taught this course for sixteen years. Additionally, she taught other courses related to child and adolescent development during her tenure as a faculty member with the department.
Prior to January 2023, Rachel was a Supervisory Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer (SCAFI) with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Victim Services Division, Child Victim Services Unit and held this position for seven months prior to her resignation, which led to her reopening her private practice. From November 4, 2012, to July 3, 2022, she was a Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer (CAFI) in the same unit. Prior to joining the FBI, Rachel was a forensic interviewer at The Child Advocacy Center, Inc., in Springfield, Missouri.
During her career as a forensic interviewer, Rachel conducted almost 3,000 forensic interviews of alleged victims of/or witnesses to an incident. Rachel has studied forensic interviewing, children’s memory and suggestibility, process of disclosure, and trauma responses of victims for over 20 years.
Rachel has published on topics such as definitions of child abuse and neglect, the disclosure process in child abuse victims/witnesses, forensic child psychology, dynamics of compliant victimization, internet exploitation, suggestibility and trauma. Her manuscripts all appear in peer-reviewed journals or book chapters and Rachel has presented locally, nationally, and internationally about these topics since 2006.
Rachel has testified in state and federal hearings and trials during her career as a fact and/or expert witness.
Rachel Murdock
Shelly Pinomaki
Founder of Seeking Hope
Shelly Pinomaki is the Founder of Seeking Hope, an Ordained and POST certified Chaplain with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department and a certified specialist in emotional crisis response. Shelly has logged over 500 hours of chaplaincy and crisis response training, receiving certifications with the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP), National Center for Chaplain Development, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation(ICISF), and Critical Incident Stress Management. Shelly is currently an Adjunct Instructor in Crisis Care with the College of Extended Studies at San Diego State University. Her work with Seeking Hope provides online training in the physical, emotional and spiritual elements of crisis intervention, in-person organizational training for corporations and businesses, and spiritual care and crisis response training for churches. Shelly lives in San Diego, California with her husband of 23 years, Wayne. You can contact Shelly or learn more by visiting seekinghope.com.