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Day 1: Wednesday, September 30

8:30 -10:00    Welcome and Plenary 
Welcoming Remarks
Joye Frost, Acting Director, Office for Victims of Crime
An introduction to the complex aspects of crime victimization and persons with disabilities.
Sharon D'Eusanio, Office of the Florida Attorney General, Division of Victim Services & Criminal Justice Programs

10:00 - 10:30   Break

10:30 - 12:00  Foundations Workshops
Foundation sessions will provide general information and define issues related to crime victims with disabilities.

Identifying and Working with Survivors with Mental Illness
Mental illness among survivors of domestic violence is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed.  Service providers may assume that the coping behaviors presented by a survivor of domestic violence are symptoms of mental illness, or may miss signs of mental illness by attributing all symptoms to domestic violence, leading to an incomplete intervention.  Survivors with mental illness face further barriers in the criminal justice system, where misconceptions and biases regarding mental illness persist. This workshop will look at the intersection of domestic violence and mental illness, and will explore the impact of both on individual functioning.  Tactics used by perpetrators to exploit a survivor’s mental illness will be discussed, as well as assessment and intervention strategies for working with survivors with mental illness.  
Molly Freyer, LMSW,  Assistant Director of Barrier Free Living, Inc., Non-Residential Domestic Violence Program, New York, NY

The Importance of Including Self-Advocates
“Nothing about us without us: persons with disabilities must be at the table."  
The Massachusetts Building Partnerships for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities Initiative has included persons with disabilities on its Steering Committee.  This workshop will discuss the importance of including persons with disabilities in the decision making from the onset to address biases and to recognize common ground. Emphasis will be given to the importance of people- first language and understanding an individual’s right to take risks as well as their right to have criminal abuses against them treated as such
Anne Fracht, Self-Advocate, Disabled Persons Protection Commission, Quincy, MA, & Ed Bielecki, Massachusetts Advocates Standing Strong, Plymouth, MA

Building Bridges: A Survivor's Story 
Participants will receive an overview of violence perpetrated against people with disabilities, information on legal obligations to provide accessible services, and strategies for responding. The presentation will include lecture, a survivor's first hand story, and discussion. 
Katharine Brouillette, SafePlace, Austin, TX 
James Meadours, SafePlace, Austin, TX 

Accessing the Criminal Justice System
Full participation in the criminal justice system requires accommodating individuals with various disabilities. Although the Americans with Disabilities Act has existed for over 16 years,  many criminal justice facilities and services remain inaccessible to victims with disabilities. This workshop will explore practical techniques and tools for conducting a thorough physical and programmatic accessibility review. Tools and lessons learned from onsite reviews will be presented to highlight best practices and reasonable accommodations. 
Katie Bridgewater, Davis Innovations, Inc., Santa Fe, NM

Perceptions of Crime and Abuse of Persons with Disabilities
This presentation will identify crimes and abuses often overlooked and will show how the severity of a crime can be influenced by the type of disability.  The presenter will discuss how our culture perceives crime and how those perceptions can result in a failure to recognize acts as crimes or abuse.
Dan L. Petersen, PhD, Washburn University, Topeka, KS

Recognizing the Vulnerability Trail for People with Developmental Disabilities
Many people with developmental disabilities are left vulnerable to misunderstood and misrepresented rights and crime victimization, such as sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, domestic violence, dating violence.  Our presentation offers information on the incidence, prevalence and impact of crime victimization on people with developmental disabilities.
Jean Solis, The Arc of Aurora, Aurora, CO

Working with Deaf Victims
Have you ever had a Deaf or Hard of Hearing victim walk into your agency and ask for help? Did you suddenly realize the communication was an issue? Discover what you can do to make your program more “Deaf-friendly.”   Tips will be given on how to communicate more effectively with Deaf and Hard of Hearing victims.  In addition, you will be given an opportunity to learn solutions and tips regarding accessibility issues and what communication access really means on a day-to-day basis for your agency. 
Ami Garry & Kim Parra, DOVE: Advocacy Services for Abused Deaf Women and Children, Denver, CO

Sexual Abuse Prevention and Healthy Sexuality: Understanding the Link
To address the high incidence of sexual violence against persons with disabilities, rape crisis and disability organizations have developed personal safety/sexual abuse awareness programs. But are they effective? Understanding sexuality is the foundation and the primary prevention strategy in developing effective personal safety and risk reduction programs.  This workshop will provide information on and demonstrate strategies for how to develop a comprehensive sexual abuse risk reduction program. People with developmental disabilities experience a high rate of sexual abuse, often widely unrecognized and underreported. Compounding the problem these individuals are often not given information about sexual health or sexuality. Sexuality training must be a primary prevention strategy to reduce sexual abuse and increase reporting.
Karla Vierthaler, Pennsylvania Coalition against Rape, Enola, PA & Beverly Frantz, Temple University Institute on Disabilities, Philadelphia, PA

Criminal Victimization of Persons Who Are Deaf: An Empirical Study
This project examines the interplay between social infrastructures and cultural norms to provide insights into the social practice of marginalizing vulnerable populations who are unable to conform to cultural definitions of "normal". This workshop presents key findings from a survey that employed a revolutionary instrument reflective of cultural and linguistic sensitivities – the first of its kind. Findings include that crime victims who are Deaf are likely to know their offenders, and that the offenders are likely to be hearing.  The presentation It will also: acknowledge potential challenges to the findings and make suggestions for areas of future research; unique implications of these findings on the development of possible social recovery programs tailored to victims who are Deaf, and possible applications for the broader population of non-verbal crime victims; and explore opportunities for the justice system to work with the target community to develop crime victimization prevention programs.
Lauren M. Barrow, PhD, Kaplan University

12:15 - 2:00     Lunch and Plenary
Panel of representatives from Victim Services: Joye Frost (Office for Victims of Crime), Disability Services: Kelly Buckland (National Council on Independent Living) and Law Enforcement: Tim Woods (National Sheriff's Association); Moderator: Dr. Dan Petersen, Washburn, JCVVS

2:00 - 3:30 Individual Responses
These sessions will enhance individual knowledge, demonstrate skills, and challenge attitudes on specific issues related to crime victimization. 

Working with Victims of Crime Experiencing Mental Illness or Psychiatric Disabilities
People living with mental illness are more vulnerable to crime victimization and more likely to experience multiple forms of victimization in their lifetime. Trauma or mental illness experienced during childhood or adolescence can disrupt key developmental processes, leaving victims at increased risk for victimization throughout their lives. Exposure to ongoing abuse can exacerbate symptoms and precipitate mental health crises, making it more difficult for victims to interact with the criminal justice system, access resources, and recover from trauma. For service providers, symptoms of severe trauma may mimic psychotic disorders, heightening the potential for service providers to misunderstand victim needs or communicate ineffectively. In this workshop, you will develop a better understanding of the effects of trauma and mental illness on victims of crime and how those experience can affect interactions in victim service settings.
Carole Warshaw, MD, & Terri Pease, PhD, Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center, Chicago, IL 

Tools to Teach Persons with Disabilities to Recognize, Report and Respond to Abuse
 This workshop will provide resources developed and used to teach persons with disabilities to recognize, report, and respond to abuse. The first half of the workshop will outline a curriculum called " Awareness and Action," and the second half will be an interactive session employing "Learning Tool."
Colleen Ryan, Anne Fracht, Marilee Kenney Hunt, & Ed Bielecki,  Disabled Persons Protection Commission, Quincy, MA

The Developmental Disability System: Effective Collaboration to Support Crime Victims
This session will provide an orientation to the Developmental Disability System including how states provide services to individuals with Developmental Disabilities, the responsibility of the States in assuring health and welfare and responses when an individual becomes a victim of crime.  Specific strategies for working and collaborating with a State’s Developmental Disability system will be discussed.  In addition, specific considerations when working with an individual who has a Developmental Disability will be presented including a description of some common disorders and characteristics.  This overview is provided in order to increase effectiveness when investigating a crime against or providing victim supports to a person with a Developmental Disability.
Shari Repinski, Colorado Department of Human Services-Division for Developmental Disabilities, Denver, CO

The ABC of Autism: Abuse, Behavior, and Communication
Autism is on the rise.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 out of every 150 children born today has autism.  Individuals with autism exhibit a number of behaviors that make them susceptible to abuse and present difficulties communicating with them.  The behaviors exhibited by individuals with autism are generally not well understood.  Understanding and communicating effectively with individuals with autism who come into contact with the criminal justice system are necessary skills for law enforcement and social service personnel.  The participants in this session will increase their knowledge of autism, develop specific interview and communication techniques, and learn how to use the autism behavior checklist instrument.
Scott J. Modell, PhD, California State University, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA

Shattering the Pervasive Illusion:  People with Developmental Disabilities and Crime Victimization
Via a PowerPoint presentation, lively discussion, and small group break out session, attendees will improve their understanding of crime victimization and people with developmental disabilities.  Discussion about professional and personal belief structures that affect how we treat people with developmental disabilities will be included, as will discussion about the role of those belief structures recognizing victimization.  Participants will be challenged to evaluate their “pervasive illusion” of both people with developmental disabilities and the system that supports them.
Darla J. Stuart & Jean N. Solis, MA, The Arc of Aurora, Aurora, CO

Recognizing the Forensic Needs of Survivors with Disabilities
Dr. Baladerian uses effective forensic interviewing skills for individuals with cognitive and or intellectual disabilities, training video, Victims with Disabilities: The Forensic Interview, by Dr. Baladerian will be reviewed with an option to provide direct strategies. She will also provide an overview of interaction and interviewing skills used with sexual assault victims with intellectual and communication disabilities and will discuss effective communication devices used by individuals with communication disabilities. Ms. Rooney will offer practical guidance about why victims with disabilities are not believed when reporting and factors that make them more vulnerable to abuse.She will also review abuse prevention with primary and secondary efforts through sex education.  Ms. Fossum will describe ways to recognize signs of abuse in individuals with disabilities and review abuse statistics abuse, common wounds of abuse and behaviors seen in perpetrators.
Nora J. Baladerian, PhD, Ecoee Rooney, &  Janean Fossum, Counseling Center, Los Angels, CA

Understanding the Advocate’s Role in Providing Services to Persons with Mental Illness
Participants will be challenged to expand their understanding of unconditional victims’ advocacy by examining personal prejudices and beliefs, myths and facts, community acceptance, program policies and procedures, “un-written” program policies, and prevalent barriers in working with victims who have a mental illness.  This workshop is designed to help victim advocates to communicate the victim service needs and rights of people with mental illness within their individual programs, legal systems, court systems and communities.
Lori Adkins, Serenity Inc., Mountain Home, AR

Risk for Sexual Abuse in Children with Disabilities: Research and Practical Strategies
Children with disabilities (CWD) are known to be at increased risk for sexually abuse. However, to date, there is a paucity of literature focusing on the intersection of child maltreatment and CWD. A pilot study on the impact of forensic interviewers’ knowledge of disabilities on a child’s disclosure will be discussed.  Participants will develop an understanding of what places children with disabilities at higher risk for being a victim of child sexual abuse.  Strategies for improving the assessment of potential sexual abuse, and protocols for when sexual abuse is disclosed by CWD, will be reviewed. Participants will learn why CWD are less likely to make disclosures and how to provide an environment in which CWD may be more comfortable to disclose potential sexual abuse.
Beth Reiman,Westchester Institute for Human Development, Children’s Advocacy Center, Valhalla, NY

Invisible Victims, Unreachable Justice: The Challenges of Assisting Crime Victims with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) 
One common type of disability often unknown by victim assistance and criminal justice professionals is fetal alcohol spectrum disorders or FASD. This session will provide an overview of what FASD is, how having the disability can contribute to becoming a victim of crime, and possibly a victim of the justice system. All too often crimes go unpunished as the justice system is unprepared to work appropriately with the victim to pursue successful prosecutions. Many individuals with FASD have less outwardly recognizable disabilities, and may face even greater challenges compared to those with more obvious disabilities, when it comes to being treated fairly and accessing services as a crime victim. Participants will learn that different levels of disability exist on a broad continuum and to keep an open mind and willing attitude when working with victims who may have hidden disabilities.
Kathy Tavenner Mitchell, National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Washington, DC & Leigh Ann Davis, Arc of the United States, Silver Spring, MD

3:30 - 4:00  Break

4:00 - 5:30  Process and Application
Participants will have structured and facilitated discussion/activities to allow for practical integration for individual and team settings.

Day 2, Thursday, October 1

8:30 - 9:30  Plenary Session

Presenters will explore improving the systems that respond to crime victims with disabilities.
Michelle "Shell" Schwartz, SafePlace, Austin, TX and Nancy Alterio, Disabled Persons Protection Commission, Quincy, MA

9:30 - 10:00 Break

10:00 - 11:30  Systems and Community Responses I
These sessions will: increase knowledge regarding the various systems and issues that may hinder or enhance services or resources; demonstrate skills regarding use of systems; and challenge attitudes regarding barriers and misconceptions of systems services and interactions.

Forensic Interviewing of Crime Victims with Disabilities
Conducting the forensic interview of crime victims who have developmental disabilities requires special knowledge as well as implementation of specific tasks to enhance communication and the setting.  This presentation will describe specific common barriers to achieving a successful interview and solutions to employ.  Background issues such as knowledge about developmental disabilities and replacing myths and stereotypes with factual information play a huge role in effectiveness of the interaction.  Presenters will describe of how to best communicate with someone with intellectual disabilities or communication differences and resources that can improve this essential part of the victim’s experience.
Nora J. Baladerian, PhD, Disability, Abuse & Personal Rights Project of SPECTRUM INSTITUTE, Los Angeles, CA

Sign "No" to Rape: Serving Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Victims of Sexual  Violence
According to the DC Rape Crisis Center (DCRCC), Deaf women and girls are 2x more likely to experience sexual abuse when compared to those who are hearing.  Deaf women are also 150 to 200 percent more likely to be abused by their partners and caregivers.  This workshop will explore current research on best practices, discuss the prevalence of sexual violence amongst the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, and examine the barriers that victims from this culture face when trying to access services.  Participants will learn how to become more culturally competent on an individual and organizational level, as well as how to provide services to the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing in a way that is culturally sensitive, effective, and easily accessible.
Alyson Shainker, The Rape Crisis Center, Las Vegas, NV

Nuts and Bolts: Massachusetts Building Partnerships for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities
The Massachusetts Building Partnerships for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities (BPI) multi-disciplinary response ensures that prosecutors, state and local police, human service agencies, sexual assault nurse examiners and all other agencies/organizations offering protection and services to persons with disabilities work together with clearly defined parameters to create a closely woven protective net in the wake of abuse against persons with disabilities.  This workshop presents case scenarios that demonstrate how each of the on-the-ground BPI practitioners responds.  Topics will include how to create a multi-disciplinary response team for a case, reporting abuse, responding to reports, investigation, the complexities of prosecution, communication between persons with disabilities and responders/care providers, competency to testify, credibility, forensic evidence collection, treatment of sexual assault patients, victim consent, etc.
Elizabeth Dunphy Farris, Lucia Zuniga, Disabled Persons Protection Commission & Dennis Griffin, Department of Mental Health, MA, & Trooper Tim Grant, Quincy MA

Serving Victims of Crime with Autism – A Collaborative Community Approach
Serving Victims of Crime with Autism is a project funded by a DOJ/OVC Grant.  This session will provide an overview of the materials that have been developed, a series of six fact sheets for professionals who provided victim services and two brochures for community use, one for individuals with autism and one for care providers.  The session will discuss the curriculum; provide a snapshot of the eight hour training and what it entails along with its learning objects. Participants will be provided guidance on how to host a training to ensure the community collaborative supports are in place for successful outcomes.
Andrew & Carolyn Gammicchia, L.E.A.N. On Us, Shelby Township, MI

What Did You Say?  Do You Know What She Said? The Importance of Effective Communication within the Criminal Justice and Victim Services Systems
This session will focus on the unique needs of crime victims with complex communication needs. Little is known about the experiences of crime victims with significant speech impairments. Current literature suggests that victims of crime who cannot communicate effectively are less likely to be able to prevent or report crimes, and less likely to access the criminal justice and victim service systems. This workshop will discuss several models for enhanced communication and demonstrate the Validating Others Intentional Communicative Expression (V.O.I.C.E ) protocol,  to ensure the voices of all victims are heard, and understood accurately.
Beverly L. Frantz, Ed,D. & Amy Goldman,  Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

NCIL Task Force on Violence and Abuse: A National Response Part 1
This presentation will look at the history of the NCIL Task Force on Violence and Abuse, and the work currently being conducted by the members of the task force within their local communities and within NCIL to educate and bring attention to this very important topic. It will provide the results of their national survey, advocacy issues that they have tackeld and offer participants insight into the future of this group. 
Roberta Sick, Arkansas University's Center on Excellence on Disabilities

Understanding the Complexities of Determining Consent and Using Interview Instruments and Assessment Tools
The issue of consent will be discussed as it relates to persons with cognitive and communication disabilities. Via PowerPoint presentation and discussion, attendees will explore the issue of consent in light of a persons cognitive disability, will understand how the misunderstood aspect of consent impacts a victim with cognitive disabilities perceived credibility, and will learn what interview instruments and assessment tools are available to assist with determining consent. 
Darla J. Stuart, the ARC of Aurora, Aurora, CO

Part 1 of 2 Collaboration in Action – Serving Crime Victims with Disabilities
We know that crime victims with disabilities have unique needs that are not always acknowledged by mainstream service providers.  In Denver, we have come together to address those needs through innovative partnerships, technology and cross-training opportunities.  We will discuss how two leading agencies in Denver – DOVE (services to deaf and hard of hearing victims of sex assault and domestic violence) and DVI (Domestic Violence Initiative for Women with Disabilities) work collaboratively with other agencies in the Victim Services Network to provide these services and how we have developed a multi-disciplinary, comprehensive, integrated, seamless network of service delivery that addresses service gaps and barriers to access that are so often a source of frustration for victims of crime.
Michelle Adams, Victim Services Network, & Kim Parra DOVE: Advocacy Services for Abused Deaf Women and Children, Denver CO

Ensuring Legal and Victims’ Rights for Victims with Disabilities                                                                                                        This presentation will focus on the legal rights of victims with disabilities with particular attention to the interplay of those rights with enforcing victims’ rights such as dignity and respect, information/referral, notification, participation, protection from intimidation/harm, restitution, compensation, and timely proceedings.  Persons with disabilities should be accorded certain basic rights, such as accessible facilities and services, that must be extended through encounters with law enforcement, criminal justice, and victim services but often are not. Understanding the needs of victims with disabilities and the skills required needed to ensure their needs are met.  Within this context, we will discuss building collaborative partnerships across systems and within communities to address enforcement mechanisms and avenues for recourse for victims with disabilities.     
Mario Gaboury, JD, PhD, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, & Bernadette Muscat, PhD, University of California, Fresno, CA

11:45 - 1:30   Lunch and Plenary
Presentation of a "success story" regarding successful collaboration that resulted in change. 
Glen Ridge: A Prosecutor's Search for Justice for All, Bob Laurino, Chief Assistant Prosecutor, Newark, NJ

1:30 - 3:00    Systems and Community Responses II

Facilitating the Full Participation of Individuals with Disabilities in Evaluation, Survey, Research, and Needs Assessments
Individuals with disabilities experience victimization of violent crimes at greater rates than those without disabilities. As criminal justice professionals, administrators are often charged with conducting needs assessments, surveys, project evaluations, and other forms of data collection with clients. Too often people with disabilities are excluded from providin data. This workshop will explore various opportunities and methods to engage individuals with disabilities in criminal justice and victim service surveys and evaluations. This workshop will identify effective ways to conduct diverse data collection practices that facilitate the full participation of individuals with varying abilities. 
Franz Freibert, PhD & Jessica Jensen, Davis Innovations, Santa Fe, NM

Accessibility and Technology
This workshop will explore the various types and forms of assistive technology used in communicating with persons with disabilities. Participants will receive hands-on experience with several communication tools.  
 Beverly L. Frantz, EdD & Amy Goldman, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

NCIL Task Force on Violence and Abuse: Centers for Independent Living: Lessons from the Field Part 2
Building on part 1 this presentation will highlight the work of several CILs represented on the NCIL task force, who have bridged the gap between disability and victim services. Programs will share lessons learned, discuss their collaborative work, address some of the barriers they have faced and best practices they have developed.
Roberta Sick, Arkansas University's Center on Excellence on Disabilities

Perpetrator or Victim -- or Both
Can a person with a disability be a victim, even when identified as a perpetrator of a crime?  This workshop will explore the link between victimization and perpetration, and will provide a tool for identifying alternative sentencing options for consideration by the criminal justice system when a person with a disability is charged with a crime.
Martha Tollefson, North Dakota Protection & Advocacy Project, Fargo, ND

Cross-Training: To Whom, about What, and Why
This workshop will describe and discuss crosstrainings that have been implemented or envisioned among advocates, law enforcement, health and human service personnel, and other justice officials. Examples include: (1) crisis intervention training that has involved law enforcement, mental health professionals, and members of National Alliance on Mental Illness; (2) a course developed for law enforcement on investigating crime in long-term care; (3) downloadable materials on The Arc of North Carolina Website for justice personnel on adapting interventions in working with persons who have intellectual disabilities; (4) Annual training on justice issues to providers of developmental disability services.
Martha Lamb, North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, Raleigh, NC

Multidisciplinary and Collaborative Response to Survivors with Disabilities
This workshop provides an overview of strategies to develop and implement a multidisciplinary and collaborative response to survivors with disabilities. Based on lessons learned through the Safety First Initiative, Kansas City’s Collaborative to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities, participants will learn the process of drawing essential community partners to the table. This information will help victim service and disability service providers better understand the steps involved in addressing philosophical differences, identifying community needs, developing a strategic plan, and moving forward with systems change.
Sarah McCoy-Harms, MA, Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault, Kansas City, MO

Never Court Disaster: Navigating the Legal System for Victims & Witnesses With Disabilities
The legal system is often mystifying for the lay person, and it can prove  overwhelming for a victim or witness with a developmental disability. Those involved in advocacy, law enforcement, medicine, and human services must be aware of the challenges presented by the system to individuals with disabilities so that they can adequately meet them. This workshop will identify problem areas within the criminal justice system, and offer suggestions on how to effectively navigate the legal maze to reach a successful resolution.
Bob Laurino, Chief Assistant Prosecutor, Essex County's Prosecutor's Office, Newark, NJ 

Collaboration in Action-– Serving Crime Victims with Disabilities (Part 2)
We know that crime victims with disabilities have unique needs that are not always acknowledged by mainstream service providers.  In Denver, we have come together to address those needs through innovative partnerships, technology and cross-training opportunities.  Presenters will discuss how two leading agencies in Denver-–DOVE (services to deaf and hard of hearing victims of sexual assault and domestic violence) and DVI (Domestic Violence Initiative for Women with Disabilities)-- work collaboratively with other agencies in the Victim Services Network to provide these services and how they have developed a multidisciplinary, comprehensive, integrated, network of service delivery that addresses gaps and barriers to access that are so often a source of frustration for victims of crime.
Michelle Adams, Victim Services Network, & Kim Parra, DOVE: Advocacy Services for Abused Deaf Women and Children, Denver, CO

Our Community, Our Response: A Panel Discussion
This panel presentation will highlight a national scope multidisciplinary
initiative to increase data collection regarding crime victims with
disabilities, develop and nurture community partnerships, and develop and implement a community needs assessment. The panel will include three victim service agencies that will replicate SafePlace's Disability Services, A Safety Awareness Program. Panel members will share their experiences of collaboration with disability services and law enforcement agencies to ultimately enhance response to crime victims with disabilities in their local communities. Specific topics will include collaborating to develop and implement a system to track reports of crime against people with disabilities, laying the groundwork for a community needs assessment, and each agency's experience building their multidisciplinary collaborations.
Katharine Brouillette, SafePlace, Austin, TX, Sterling Harris, Domestic Abuse Intervention Program, Duluth, MN, Lois Galgay-Reckitt & Captain Vern Malloch, Family Crisis Services, Portland, ME, Stephanie Bowman & Maytal Russ, Sexual Assault Network of Central Ohio, Columbus, OH

3:00 - 3:30   Break

3:30 - 5:00  Process and Application
Participants will have structured and facilitated discussions/activities to allow for practical integration for individual and team settings. 

Day 3 - Friday, October 2

8:30 - 10:00  Innovative Collaborative Efforts
These sessions will provide practical examples and applications for successful collaboration 

Massachusetts Building Partnerships for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities
Following a tragic abuse/torture case involving men with developmental disabilities, the governor of Massachusetts convened an investigative Blue Ribbon Panel. Ten years after that tragedy, Building Partnerships for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities (BPI) is Massachusetts’ successful statewide response to ensure that no person with a disability will ever again “fall between the cracks.”  The BPI multi-disciplinary response ensures that adult protective service investigators, prosecutors, state and local police, human services, SANE’s and others work together with clearly defined parameters to create a closely woven protective net.  BPI is currently being replicated in three new sites outside of Massachusetts under a cooperative agreement with OVC.
Elizabeth Scheibel & Nancy A. Alterio, Disabled Persons Protection Commission, Quincy, MA

Vulnerable Adult Assessment Tool
The Vulnerable Adult Assessment tool is the result of collaboration between developmental disabilities (DD) service providers, law enforcement, and regional DD and Protection and Advocacy personnel.  The tool is designed to assess the vulnerability of people with a disability, identify needed active treatment or learning objectives to reduce vulnerability, and develop a data sheet to be used in the event a person with a disability is mission or other potential involvement with law enforcement.
Karla Zimmerman, LSW, Friendship, Inc., Fargo, ND & Martha Tollefson,  North Dakota Protection & Advocacy Project, Fargo, ND

Finding Common Ground: Establishing Collaborative Relationships with Disability and Victim Service Providers
This workshop will explore innovative ways that victim service and disability providers can work together to serve individuals with disabilities who are victims of crime. Discover how to build collaborative relationships between victim services and disability leaders and other key stakeholders. Learn how to establish an effective multidisciplinary Advisory Team. Find out how to work with your Advisory Team and community stakeholders to build capacity and to expand funding streams.
Marcie Davis, Davis Innovations, Inc., Santa Fe, NM

Crime Reporting Experiences: Qualitative Findings from Discussion Groups with Victims with Disabilities and Law Enforcement Personnel
Crime victims with disabilities and Deaf victims frequently experience difficulty in accessing services from law enforcement, investigators, victims’ advocates and others working within the criminal justice system.  Often these access issues are related to communication, structural and attitudinal barriers, complications understanding all the steps in the criminal justice process, and a lack of time to fully complete a thorough investigation.  Whether victims with disabilities voluntarily report a crime, or a mandated reporter has to report the crime given their respective state “vulnerable” adult statutes, barriers impede full access to receiving support.  This session will provide information from our current qualitative focus group study with law enforcement officials and people with disabilities about ways to improve reporting and investigations of crimes against people with disabilities.
Mary Oschwald, PhD, The Regional Research Institute, Portland State University, Portland, OR

Companionable Zoo Therapeutic Day Program for Adult Men with Developmental Disabilities Who Have Been Victims of Sexual Assault and Exhibit Challenging Behaviors, including Sexual Behavior Problems
All About Kindness Center (AAK) in the Denver area is an innovative program serving adult men with developmental disabilities who have been sexually victimized and exhibit challenging behaviors, including sexual behavior problems. AAK utilizes a “companionable zoo” model, which is a comprehensive model of animal-assisted therapy that infiltrates the entire program, environment, and mindset. Through kindness and compassion with the animals, the participants are able to attach to another living thing, learn boundaries, and learn safe/appropriate touches; this behavior is then transferred to others. The milieu is one of kindness, respect, and tolerance and individuality is exchanged for community betterment. Skills training, behavior therapies and supported employment round out the program as each participant increases his community safety and learns marketable skills in the animal services field.
Chris Anderson MSW ACSW, All About Kindness Center, Arvada, CO

Disability Awareness Workgroup-“small town- growing awareness”
The Disabilities Awareness Workgroup, is a community team of 17 individuals and organizations, in a rural town of in western Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA. The group grew out of the need to inform community members, especially those who protect and serve the safety and well being of citizens, of the unique challenges of folks with developmental disabilities. The presenters will describe steps to organize their workgroup; the events, seminars and tools that they have presented to educate the community and future plans to build capacity within the county and state.
Barbara Telthorster, Heather Telthorster, Tom Bianco, Lou-Ann Williams, Sheriff Richard Fyock, & Jim Kuemmerle, The Arc of Indiana, Indiana, PA

Delivering Coordinated Mental Health Treatment to Child Crime Victims
The Child Development Community Program (CDCP) is a mental health service delivery method that targets victims of crime, particularly children and their families. This program trains police officers in the identification of crime victims that could benefit from mental health interventions. It combines this identification with resources that deliver mental health services swiftly, at the crime scene. This workshop will discuss how Wilmington, Delaware, implemented this program model with the Wilmington Police Department and the Division of Child Mental Health along with many community partners, and will cover lessons learned  and best practices to use in implementing  a program that brings together diverse organizations to deliver efficient services to vulnerable populations, many of which already suffer emotional and medical disabilities.
Robert Dunleavy & Vicky Burke-Watson, Delaware Division of Child Mental Health, Willmington, DE

Collaboration among the Hearing Community and Deaf Community: Breaking Rules
Learn how to foster collaboration so that no one organization is left to figure out alone how to effectively and respectfully serve Deaf women victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. This workshop is designed to raise awareness on various Deaf-related issues, from historical perspectives on disability to current events.
Graciela Laguna & Alicia Mascarenas, Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Deaf Unity, Madison, WI

10:00 - 10:30   Break

10:30 - 12:00  Closing Plenary: Crime against Persons with Disabilities                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Michael Rand, Chief, Victimization Statistics, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Washington, DC; Dr Erika Harrell, Statistician, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Washington, DC

Close: Conclude conference with an overarching perspective of future directions.

Questions or comments regarding the conference agenda? Please contact us by email at kobrien@ncvc.org , or by calling 202-467-8700.