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Monday, March 9, 2020
8:30 – 10:00 am – Morning Keynote
Cross Cultural Communications
Milton Creagh
AtHu Enterprises
This session will explore cultural (racial, socioeconomic, gender based, generational) barriers that often impede delivery of vital information and messages to our target populations. Based on the research and writings of anthropologist Edward Hall, Mr. Creagh has combined Dr. Hall’s scholarly work with his real world experience of teaching Diversity in Communication in corporate America for over 25 years and to educators, professional athletes, politicians and non profit entities for two decades. We all know that too often very important and needed messages are missed because of the wrong style or type of delivery.
10:00 – 10:30 am – Break
10:30 am – 12:00 pm Concurrent Sessions
Understanding Psychological Evaluations (including SORA)
and How to Get the Results You Can Use (Part 1)
Randy Smith, LPsych, LSOTP
Taft and Associates
Probation officers and other providers do not understand what a psychological evaluation is and how it can inform supervision and treatment of sex offenders. A basic understanding of how and what information is necessary to provide a useful assessment and how to formulate a question the evaluator can answer. Information regarding different types of assessment and how it can be used to identify risks, and criminogenic needs. Discussion of the limits of predictability and the need to assess suicidality as a part of the management of the sex offender in both residential and community settings.
Supervisor Refresher Course (Part 1)
Shelley Graham, PhD, LPC-S, LSOTP-S
Shoal Creek Counseling
The session will cover definitions of the supervision process. Attendees will assess the supervision relationship and learn how to define expectations. The speaker will cover legal issues of supervision and outline guidelines of supervision.
The session will also provide treatment issues unique to sex offender treatment and spent time review self-care.
Adversity-Responsive, Resiliency Enhancing Services for Children and Adolescents Who Have Been Victimized (Part 1)
Kevin Powell, PhD
This session provides information about strengths-based interventions for working effectively with children & adolescents who have been victims of sexual abuse and other types of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Topics will include:
• Necessary Characteristics for ACE-Responsive Service Providers
• Reasons to remain optimistic when working with youth who have Adverse Childhood Experiences
• Information about factors that can cause trauma in youth
• 16 Adversity-Responsive, Resiliency-Enhancing Service Objectives that cover six major components of Victim/Survivor Services–Relationship/Therapeutic Alliance, Stabilization, Rationale/Primer for services, Assessment, Intervention, and Prevention.
Cross Cultural Communications: A Deeper Dive
Milton Creagh
AtHu Enterprises
Attend this breakout session for further exploration into cultural barriers that often impede delivery of vital information and messages to our target populations. The key aim of this session is to recognize the importance of improving our cross cultural communication and to learn some simple methods for achieving this.
Internet Crimes Against Children
Sergeant Amy Briggs
Office of the Attorney General
The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program helps federal, state and local law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to cyber enticement and child pornography cases. This encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, and community education. The speaker will provide: An overview of the Child Exploitation Unit for the Office of the Texas Attorney General and
trends in cyber cases community awareness.
12:00 – 1:30 pm – Lunch on Own
1:30 – 3:00 pm – Breakout Sessions
Understanding Psychological Evaluations (including SORA)
and How to Get the Results You Can Use (Part 2)
Randy Smith, LPsych, LSOTP
Taft and Associates
Probation officers and other providers do not understand what a psychological evaluation is and how it can inform supervision and treatment of sex offenders. See full description above in Part 1.
Supervisor Refresher Course (Part 2)
Shelley Graham, PhD, LPC-S, LSOTP-S
Shoal Creek Counseling
The session will cover definitions of the supervision process. The speaker will cover legal issues of supervision and outline guidelines of supervision. See full description above in Part 1.
Adversity-Responsive, Resiliency Enhancing Services for Children and Adolescents Who Have Been Victimized (Part 2)
Kevin Powell, PhD
This session provides information about strengths-based interventions for working effectively with children & adolescents who have been victims of sexual abuse and other types of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). See full description above in Part 1.
What About Our Boys: Understanding the Challenges Facing Male Victims of Sexual Abuse and Assault
Julie Brand, MS
Caper Consulting
Society is still in denial that males can even be victims of sexual assault, especially by females. Ignorance and minimization of the problem impede victims’ opportunities for rescue and for recovery. This program identifies the unique challenges that male victims face and the myths about sexual abuse and assault that keep them silent. “The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study” and subsequent research validate both the frequency and the resulting trauma of male sexual victimization.
P.O.S.T – Probation Officer Safety Training Field / Home Safety
Leandro “Leo” Perez, Jr.
Hidalgo County Adult Probation
As we all know probation provides an alternative to incarceration, and consequently the home becomes a focal point for adjustment to anyone who is experiencing community supervision for the first time. A strong family and stable home environment goes hand in hand with the treatment needs of any defendant. As each passing year comes and goes the field of probation becomes more and more advance in treatment assistance and monitoring. One of the most critical tools a probation officer has at his or her disposal are home visits. Conducting home visits offers a probation officer a unique opportunity to discover a defendant’s adjustment to community supervision. Home visits are a critical tool in case management for all probation officers.
Each home visit however can expose a probation officer to hazardous situations. Probation officers can benefit from old and new techniques that will make their safety in the field a priority. Field / Home Safety Training will expose probation officers to areas of concern as well as new and up to date information from law enforcement agencies that are critical in ensuring a safe return back to the office.
This presentation will provide probation officers with a general understanding of each officer’s responsibilities during and after a field / home visit. It will also bring guidance and preparation skills prior to conducting field / home visits. It is a step forward in ensuring safety in the field of probation.
3:00 – 3:30 pm – Break
3:30 – 5:00 pm Afternoon Keynote Panel Discussion
Panel: Practice Advice from Experienced Therapists
Moderator: Shellee Hanson, MS, LMFT, LSOTP
Therapists who are new to the profession or lack a lot of experience can feel overwhelmed by the breadth of knowledge needed to do their jobs well. This session offers advice from experienced therapists about the parts of our jobs that may not be fully addressed by supervision, research, or professional presentations designed for experienced professionals. The moderator will pose questions to the panel about such topics as establishing relationships with community supervisors, the use of assessments in treatment plans, ordering additional assignments or testing for individual clients, testifying in court, and expanding their businesses. Attendees will also be given the opportunity to ask their own questions.