Schools may be among the first places where signs of child exploitation are identified, and school personnel play an important role in supporting students and connecting them with appropriate resources. Presenters from the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office will discuss the investigation and prosecution of sexual exploitation and assault crimes, including the role schools may play in identifying and reporting concerns. The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office will also address digital abuse and exploitation, along with strategies for helping students recognize online risks and use technology safely.
Registration: 8:15 – 8:45 am
Conference: 8:45 am – 2:30 pm
To receive PDPs, participants must attend this conference and the conference, School Safety Summit: Targeted Violence Prevention, on November 17, 2026. Participants need to register for each conference individually. Members can participate in-person, virtually or by viewing the recording.
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Speakers
- SaMone Best, Survivor Mentor, Legacy Program, RFK Community Alliance
- Joseph Coliflores, J.D., Managing Attorney, Digital Evidence Laboratory, Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
- Sheelah Gobar, M.S., Director of Anti-Trafficking and Support to End Exploitation Now (SEEN), Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County
- Kate McDougall, J.D., Chief of Family Crimes and Sexual Assault Unit, Essex County District Attorney’s Office
- Lisa Goldblatt Grace, LICSW, MPH, MA Statewide Anti-Human Trafficking Director, Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety
- Delia Vega, Public Policy & Community Engagement Manager, My Life My Choice
About the Speakers
SaMone Best, Survior Mentor
SaMone Best (she/her) began her career with RFK Community Alliance as a Survivor Mentor with Legacy Mentoring in April of 2023. She was recently promoted to Program Coordinator overseeing the Hampden County CSEC mentoring program in May of 2026. SaMone uses her lived experience to support and uplift others on their healing journeys. SaMone is dedicated to helping individuals navigate healing, empowerment, and personal growth through compassionate, nonjudgmental guidance. SaMone is passionate about advocacy, resilience, and creating safe spaces where survivors feel heard, supported, and respected. Her work focuses on helping survivors build confidence, access vital resources, and reclaim their voices, grounded in the belief that every survivor deserves safety, dignity, and support.
Joseph Coliflore, J.D.
Joseph Coliflore, J.D., (he/him) is an Assistant Attorney General in the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General. He is the Managing Attorney in the Digital Evidence Laboratory, where he focuses on search and seizure law and digital investigations and supports prosecutions across the Commonwealth. Prior to the Attorney General’s Office, Joseph worked in the Hampden and Berkshire District Attorneys’ Offices where he second sat first degree murder and serious felony trials and authored post-conviction and appellate briefs. He has argued at the Massachusetts Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court. Joseph is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law and Suffolk University.
Sheelah Gobar, M.S.
As the Director of Anti-Trafficking and the Support to End Exploitation Now (SEEN) Program at the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Suffolk County, Sheelah Gobar (she/her) leads the CAC’s coordinated response to children and youth who are at high risk for, suspected of, or confirmed to have experienced commercial sexual exploitation, sex or labor trafficking, internet-based exploitation, or related forms of abuse. She leads data collection, analysis, research, and evaluation, and builds cross-disciplinary partnerships and service models that advance safety, prevention, healing, and justice for at-risk and exploited youth in the CAC’s service area and beyond. She provides training and consultation locally, nationally, and internationally on multidisciplinary interventions for commercially sexually exploited and high-risk missing youth. Sheelah previously held internal positions as the SEEN Program Manager and Family Advocate/Case Manager. Sheelah joined the CAC after completing her M.S. in Crime and Justice Studies at Suffolk University with a concentration in Victim Advocacy. Sheelah previously served as a rape crisis counselor where she provided medical advocacy to sexual assault survivors. Sheelah received her B.S. in Political Science at Northeastern University with a concentration in International and Comparative Politics, and worked in international urban development supporting research and capacity-building.
Lisa Goldblatt Grace, LICSW
Lisa Goldblatt Grace, LICSW, (she/her) brings more than three decades of experience working with marginalized young people across systems including juvenile justice, mental health, public health, and residential care. Her work has included directing a long-term shelter for teen parents and developing a juvenile court diversion program. Lisa regularly advises legislators, policymakers, funders, law enforcement, and nonprofit organizations. She has served as a Senior Advisor to the U.S. Office on Trafficking in Persons and was a lead researcher on a national study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services examining programs serving trafficking victims. She currently co-chairs the Human Trafficking Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking, and serves on several state and national advisory boards. Lisa is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and holds master’s degrees in social work and public health.
Kate B. MacDougall, J.D.
Kate B. MacDougall, J.D., (she/her) has been the Chief of the Family Crimes and Sexual Assault Unit of the Essex District Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts since June 2006. In her current position, Ms. MacDougall oversees the investigation and prosecution of all cases involving child abuse and exploitation, sexual assault and domestic violence within the 34 cities and towns in Essex Coutny. Prior to that, she spent eight years as an Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County. Ms. MacDougall is a graduate of McGill University and Northeastern University School of Law. In 2011, Ms. MacDougall was named a Top Women of the Law by Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly. In 2012, Ms. MacDougall was given the Massachusetts District Attorney’s Association Excellence in Training Award. In addition to her supervisory duties, Ms. MacDougall handles a trial caseload of the most serious sexual assault, abuse of the disabled and elderly, child abuse and domestic violence homicides and other cases. In April 2017, MacDougall was named Prosecutor of the Year by the Massachusetts District Attorney’s Association.
Delia Vega
Delia Vega (she/her) is a passionate and dedicated advocate for social justice with a background in criminal justice and education reform. Committed to systemic change, she has worked to transform policies and expand opportunities for vulnerable communities. Delia has served on the Massachusetts Governor’s Panel on Justice-Involved Women. In addition to her policy work, Delia also works directly with sexually exploited young people, providing guidance, advocacy, and a safe space for healing. Delia combines advocacy with direct support, walking alongside survivors as they heal and rebuild their lives. Through mentorship, leadership development, and policy reform, she remains devoted to fostering a more just, equitable, and compassionate society.
Membership Information
Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.
PDPs and CEUs
MPY is an approved Professional Development Provider through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (Provider No. F20180079). Professional Development Points (PDPs) are offered for most MPY professional development webinars. PDPs are issued in 10 hour increments, per DESE requirements.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for clinical staff through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc. (MaMHCA). The NASW and the MaMHCA approve each event individually. CEUs may be given in hourly increments.
To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must pass the quiz.
Event Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend a MPY webinar you must cancel, through Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org, one business day before the webinar.
For MPY hybrid conferences, the date in-person registration closes will be posted on MPY’s website. Virtual conference registration will close one business day before the hybrid conference. You cannot cancel or switch your registration from in-person to virtual after in-person registration closes. Please email Bonnie Mullen with any questions regarding registration.