All new advocates who supervise, coordinate and/or provide direct services to victims are required to attend this five (5) hour workshop within the first six months of employment. In this workshop we will discuss the history and philosophy of the battered women’s movement, the power and control wheel, equality wheel, and the effects of domestic violence on children. We will also clarify any myths, discuss why people batter and why victims stay, stages of victims leaving, the lethality assessment and the cycle of violence.

Instructor - Terri Berger - Terri is the Education Coordinator for the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  She has over 8 years experience working with families and addressing issues of violence.  Terri worked with economically challenged women as the Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator, empowering women to work their way off government assistance while employed with the Pulaski County Housing Agency in Little Rock, Arkansas.  She worked with at risk youth and families, as a Family Service Worker, Case Worker and Investigator at DCFS and was a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the 20th Judicial District in Faulkner county, Arkansas.  She was the Outreach Coordinator for the Womesn' Shelter of Central Arkansas in Conway.  She worked with the victims of domestic violence in the community, served as a Legal Advocate, and was responsible for going into the community and schools to conduct domestic violence prevention education and awareness.  Terri received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas.  She is certified by the State of Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standares as a Specialized Instructor for Domestic Violence Dynamics.  She is a memeber of the Crime Victim's Assistance Association. 

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All new advocates who supervise, coordinate and/or provide direct services to victims are required to attend this five (5) hour workshop within the first six months of employment. There are so many failures in the ‘system’ and so many men women and children who fall through the cracks of legal protection that go unnoticed by the press and the general public. Advocacy takes a little time and a strong commitment. In this workshop we discuss various strategies and techniques used to empower victims of domestic violence. We promote problem solving, safety planning, and support groups for victims of domestic violence. Advocates are given instruction in service provision, crisis counseling, hotline operation, communication and listening skills.

Instructor - Terri Berger - Terri is the Education Coordinator for the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  She has over 8 years experience working with families and addressing issues of violence.  Terri worked with economically challenged women as the Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator, empowering women to work their way off government assistance while employed with the Pulaski County Housing Agency in Little Rock, Arkansas.  She worked with at risk youth and families, as a Family Service Worker, Case Worker and Investigator at DCFS and was a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the 20th Judicial District in Faulkner county, Arkansas.  She was the Outreach Coordinator for the Womesn' Shelter of Central Arkansas in Conway.  She worked with the victims of domestic violence in the community, served as a Legal Advocate, and was responsible for going into the community and schools to conduct domestic violence prevention education and awareness.  Terri received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas.  She is certified by the State of Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standares as a Specialized Instructor for Domestic Violence Dynamics.  She is a memeber of the Crime Victim's Assistance Association. 

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All new advocates who supervise, coordinate and/or provide direct services to victims are required to attend this five (5) hour workshop within the first six months of employment. Legal Advocacy is a service offered by domestic violence programs for victims of domestic violence. The legal advocate provides access to the necessary forms needed to file for a temporary protection order (TPO). Legal advocates accompany victims to court. Domestic Violence victims are provided with the emotional and physical support to deal with the stress of the court hearing and facing their batterer in court. In this workshop, we will discuss all state and federal domestic violence statutes, orders or protection, victim impact statements, civil remedies, crime victims’ rights and crime reparations. Legal Advocates work with the courts, attorneys and law enforcement to hold batterer’s accountable and get justice for the victims of domestic violence.

Instructor - Terri Berger - Terri is the Education Coordinator for the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  She has over 8 years experience working with families and addressing issues of violence.  Terri worked with economically challenged women as the Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator, empowering women to work their way off government assistance while employed with the Pulaski County Housing Agency in Little Rock, Arkansas.  She worked with at risk youth and families, as a Family Service Worker, Case Worker and Investigator at DCFS and was a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the 20th Judicial District in Faulkner county, Arkansas.  She was the Outreach Coordinator for the Womesn' Shelter of Central Arkansas in Conway.  She worked with the victims of domestic violence in the community, served as a Legal Advocate, and was responsible for going into the community and schools to conduct domestic violence prevention education and awareness.  Terri received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas.  She is certified by the State of Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standares as a Specialized Instructor for Domestic Violence Dynamics.  She is a memeber of the Crime Victim's Assistance Association. 

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IntermediateQuickBooks offers instruction in recording transactions and maintaining your company's accounting information using this software package.  Topics include: chart of accounts overview, working with lists, and how to view transactions records and find information in your company file purchases, accounts receivable, accounts payable, classes and reports.  Instructions will also be provided on fixing common errors and preparing reconciliations 

Instructor- Paul Bax- Paul brings experience, skill and expertise in financial management of small businesses and not-for-profit organizations.  Holding positions such as chief accountant, accounting manager, auditor and controller in various companies, Paul gained basic understanding from both the operational and management perspective.  he has been in the accounting field for over twenty years.  Currently, paul is the bookkeeper at the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  Not only does he manage the finances at ACADV, he also provides technical assistance to its' member in the areas of financial management and QuickBooks.  As a contribution to the business community at-large, Paul occasionally facilitates workshop for local chambers of commerce, the Arkansas Small Business Development Center and other nonprofit organizations.  His direct approach, easy-going style and practical focus have helped a number of operations understand the concepts of basic financial management.  paul is a graduate of National Louis University with a B.A in management.  He is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and his memberships include the National Society of Accountants and the National Society of Tax Professionals. 

This workshop is designed to give participants more advanced information regarding domestic violence. Topics include the dynamics of domestic violence, typology of abusers, primary aggressor, when women kill, strangulation, violence on children and abused men. Participants at the end of this workshop will be able to distinguish between the different types of abusers, have a better understanding of who is the primary aggressor, gain insight into what drives women to kill, be able to define and recognize strangulation, knowledge of the effects of violence on children and identify abused men.

Instructor - Terri Berger - Terri is the Education Coordinator for the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  She has over 8 years experience working with families and addressing issues of violence.  Terri worked with economically challenged women as the Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator, empowering women to work their way off government assistance while employed with the Pulaski County Housing Agency in Little Rock, Arkansas.  She worked with at risk youth and families, as a Family Service Worker, Case Worker and Investigator at DCFS and was a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the 20th Judicial District in Faulkner county, Arkansas.  She was the Outreach Coordinator for the Womesn' Shelter of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas.  She worked with the victims of domestic violence in the community, served as a Legal Advocate, and was responsible for going into the community and schools to conduct domestic violence prevention education and awareness.  Terri received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.  She is certified by the State of Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standares as a Specialized Instructor for Domestic Violence Dynamics.  She is a memeber of the Crime Victim's Assistance Association. 

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Mental health and substance abuse service providers are not routinely trained to address the social factors that entrap victims in abusive relationships, which can result in falsely interpreting survival strategies as disorders, overlooking the advocacy needs (shelter, legal assistance, safety planning) of domestic violence victims, and not understanding the risks a psychiatric diagnosis can pose for custody battles with an abusive spouse. Likewise, domestic violence advocates are generally not prepared to assess mental health problems and few programs possess the resources to address the mental health needs of the women they serve. This is particularly true for women diagnosed with serious mental illness or substance abuse problems - problems that are often exacerbated by chronic violation and abuse. For a person struggling to find safety from abuse and recover from its traumatic effects, the lack of training and the absence of collaboration among service providers impedes optimal care. In this workshop we will attempt to link domestic violence advocacy with mental health and substance abuse service delivery for the prevention of future violence.

Instructors:

Lori Adkins, Executive Director of Serenity, Inc. - Lori is a wife, mother, grandmother and women's advocate.  She ahs been involved in the field of domestic violence advocacy for nearly ten years.  She was previously Director of Sanctuary D.V. shelter in Harrison, AR and has also held the position of Education/Training Coordinator for the ACADV.  She decided to ecome a women's advocatw so that she could empower women to have all the information and support they need to live a violence free life.  her favorite quote is, "that which does not destroy me, makes me stronger!" 

Lori has assisted the CJI in a statewide training effort to help law enforcemnt understand the dynamics of domestic violence by training officers from all 75 counties in AR.  She has presented at two national conferences, which was a hig  point in her love of training.  Lori has a strong desire to assist victmis of domestic violence who often fall through the gaps.  She works hard to identify and improve services for victims of domestic violence who have mental health, drug and/or alcohol related issues. 

Sharon Clark, L.M.S.W. - Sharon is employed by Division of Health Services Research-UAMS.  Sharon has more than 15 years combined experience working in the substance abuse and mental health fields.  She serves as an advocate for specialized women's treatment services and most recently served as the Family Services & Day Treatment Director at Arkansas CARES, a comprehensive family treatment program of Methodist Family Health.  Her prior roles at Arkansas CAARES included, Residential Director, Intake/Training Coordinator, and Case manager.

Bruce M. Cohen, M.S., LPE - Mr. Cohen is the Director of the Office of Special Projects in the UAMS Department of Psychiatry.  He received his Masters in Clinical Psychology from Memphis State University in 1982 and has been a Clinical Instructor with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Psychiarty since 1985.  Bruce began at UAMS as a therapist and school consultant in the Child Study Center program in 1985.  Under the CSC umbrella, he started the Community Outreach Program in 1994.  This program provided intensive mental health services to children and families in homes, schools and other community locations.  He became the program director of Child Study Center in 1996.  In 2003 Bruce moved into department administration where he is involved in a variety of clinical, training and research projects.  Bruce works with the Quality Impovement and JCAHO accreditation programs int he Department of Psychiatry.  As part of his training duties, Bruce supervises psychology interns and psychiatric residents providing school-based consultiaon and treatment services.  Bruce currently is spending his clinical time provding school-based behavioral health services to chidlren and families in the NLR School District. 

Betsy Johnson L.C.S.W. - Betsy is employed by Partners for Inclusive Communities-UAMS, where she works with the Crime Victims with Disabilities Project.  She also works as an instructor at UALR School of Social Work, and as a counselor at the Arkansas Employee Assistance Program.  Prior to joining Partners in 2005 to work as the spina bifida research project coordinator, Betsy worked for 14 years as a counselor for children and families.  Her social work education included a year at Rape Crisis and the Advocate for Battered Women's Shelter in Little Rock.  She is a licensed clinical social worker and a certified life coach. 

Stephen McDermott -NAMI - Stephen McDermott is employed by they National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Arkansas state office as Operations Manager wehre he concentrates on NAMI affiliate and support group development, NAMI education programs, Mental Health Court and Crisis Intervention training initiatives.  He is a past employee at a homeless shelter in Arkansas. Prior to this change in career, Stephen was employed at the Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research, Regions Bank and Acxiom as a computer technician.  Stephen has been diagnosed with a mental illness and identifies as a consumer of mental health resources. 

Roberta Sick, M.Ed., C.R.C. - Roberta is employed by Partners for Inclusive Communitites-UAMS, where she directs the efforts of the Crime Victims with Disabilities Project.  She has been involved in a number of training efforts over the past few years that address the critical issues of preventing violence int he lives of people with disabilities and providing access to services if victimization does occur. She has a strong working knowldege of the American with Disabilities Act, having served for six years as the training coordinator for the Arkansas ADA Roundtable.  Her work experience includes coordination a club house model progame for persons with mental illness, working as a mental health therapist, and coordinationg an assistive technology project.  She is a licensed professional counsleor. 

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Advanced Sexual Assault-Morning Session

Since every person and situation is different, victims of sexual assault will respond to an assault in different ways. Many factors can influence an individual’s response to, and recovery from, sexual assault. These may include the age and developmental maturity of the victim; the social support network available to the victim; the victim’s relationship to the offender; the response to the attack by police, medical personnel, and victim advocates; the response to the attack by the victim’s loved ones; the frequency, severity and duration of the assault(s); the setting of the attack; the level of violence and injury inflicted; the response by the criminal justice system; community attitudes and values; and the meaning attributed to the traumatic event by the sexual assault survivor. Some survivors of sexual assault will find they can recover relatively quickly, while others will feel the lasting effects of their victimization throughout their lifetime. This workshop will focus on Evolution of Rape, Drug Facilitated Rape, Rapist Profiles, and Rape Sensitivity for Men.

Stalking-Afternoon Session

Stalking exists on serveral levels.  Victims may or may not be aware that it is happening, and the perpetrators may or may not have malicious intent.  Stalkers may even have a sincere but misguided belief that their victims love them, or have a desire to help the victims.  Contrary to crimes that cosist of a singel act, stalking consists of a series of actions which in themselves can be legal, such as calling on the phone, sending gifts, or sending emails.  Most cases of stalking never escalate to extremem levels of violence or harassment.  Stalkers will often denigrate their victims which reduses the victims to objects.  This allows stalkers to feel angry at the victims without experiencing empathy, or they may feel that they are entitled to behave as they please toward the victims.  Viewing victims as "lesser," "weak" or other wise seriously flawed can support delusions that the victmis needs to be rescued, or punished, by the stalkers.  Stalkers may slander or defame the character of their victims which may isolate the victims and give the stalkers more control or a feeling of  power.  This workshop will give participants information about the current stalking laws, safety tips for victmis of stalking, and resources available within the community.

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Immigrant women arrive to this country alone or with their spouses in the hope of creating a better life for themselves and their children. Many flee political repression, severe poverty, domestic violence, unemployment, or war. In their home countries, they may have faced rape or torture for their political beliefs. They may have been forced into prostitution, state-sponsored sterilization programs, or may have been subjected to female genital mutilation. They may bear physical and psychological scars from this abuse and may still be fighting the effects of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this workshop advocates of domestic violence will gain information about immigrant and human trafficking victims’ civil rights, cultural differences, translation issues and civil legal services. Advocates will be given information and tools regarding cultural diversity and conversational Spanish.

Instructors -

VAWA - Maria Miller - Maria started working for Catholic Charities in 1997, and has a degree in Business Administrations.  She has assisted in numerous training all around the United States.  Maria is the Coordinator for the Crime Victims Unit in Catholic Charities of Arkansas.  She speaks English, Spanish and is learning italian.  Maria has trained several police departments and shelters in Northwest Arkansas, as well as, the river valley area to promote understanding of the cultural barriers victims of crime and survivors of domestic violence face.  She hosts a regual weekly radio show in the Northwest Arkansas area with the purpose of informing and educating the community in regards to rights that immigrant victims of crime or survivors of domestic violence have in the country and how to obtain them.  Maria is a volunteer in the community for several events that promote understanding and harmony with all the immigrant communities established in Washington and Benton counties.  OR

VAWA - Bridget White- Bridget has been the VAWA Immigration Specialist for Catholic Charities Immigration Services in Little Rock, AR since March, 2007.  Bridget works with immigrant victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and other violent crimes.  She aids them by providing legal assistance related to the immigration process, under the direct supervision of BIA Accredited Representiatives.  She  is also responsible for providing outreach to the immigrant community in order to inform them of the immigration benefits that may be available to them.  Bridget is a Notary Public, and is working on attaining accreditation for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Board of Immigration and Appeals (BIA).  Bridget earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, emphasis in Business Management; a Post-Baccalaureate Bachelor of Arts in Spanish; and an International Master of Business Administrations. During her studies, she worked as a Graduate Assistant fot he Marketing and Management Department, MBA Office, and for the Economics, Finance, Investment and Real Estate Managememtn Department.  As part of the requirements for her IMBA and Spanish degrees, Bridget studied at the Universidad de Colima and the Universidad Veracruzana, both in Mexico.  While at the Universidad de Colima, she worked as an intern in the Facultad de Becay y Estudiantes Extranjeros (Department of Scholarships and Foreign-Exchange Students). Her main duty was revision of the university's website.  She also worked as an intern for the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department in the Public Affairs Office. 

Human Trafficking - Dixon A. Land - Alan has a BS in Accounting from Auburn University.  He worked as an accountant for a certified public accountant (CPA) firm in Tallahassee Florida. Alan worked as an auditor for the State of Florida and joined the FBI as a Special Agent in 1989.  Alan has investigated white collar crime violations in Memphis, Tennessee and drug organizations in Little Rock. Arkansas.  Alan was the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) Coordinator in Memphis, Tennessee and a JTTF memeber in Washington, D.C.  He attended the Department of Defense (DOD) Polygraph Examiner School in Comumbia, South Carolina, becoming a Polygraph Examiner in 2006. He is still a Polygraph Examiner and Civil Rights Investigator in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

Cultural Diversity and Competency- Terri Berger - Terri is the Education Coordinator for the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  She has over 8 years experience working with families and addressing issues of violence.  Terri worked with economically challenged women as the Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator, empowering women to work their way off government assistance while employed with the Pulaski County Housing Agency in Little Rock, Arkansas.  She worked with at risk youth and families, as a Family Service Worker, Case Worker and Investigator at DCFS and was a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the 20th Judicial District in Faulkner county, Arkansas.  She was the Outreach Coordinator for the Womesn' Shelter of Central Arkansas in Conway.  She worked with the victims of domestic violence in the community, served as a Legal Advocate, and was responsible for going into the community and schools to conduct domestic violence prevention education and awareness.  Terri received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas.  She is certified by the State of Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standares as a Specialized Instructor for Domestic Violence Dynamics.  She is a memeber of the Crime Victim's Assistance Association. 

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Researchers have long been aware of the link between domestic violence and child abuse. Even if children are witnesses to acts of violence and not the intended targets, they can be affected in the same ways as children who are physically and sexually abused. Since domestic violence is a pattern of behavior, not a single event, episodes may become more severe and more frequent over time, resulting in an increased likelihood that the children eventually become victims. The following offers some commonly asked questions and answers about domestic violence and its relationship to child abuse. This course focuses on how advocates working with families where domestic violence is present can advocate for the silent victims of domestic violence, the children.

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These interactive group sessions may be non-directed, topic oriented, and/or informational or educational. Support group services provide understanding and support for survivors of domestic violence and provide recreational and life-skill building. In this workshop, participants will be given information and instruction for facilitating domestic violence support groups. Active listening, addressing needs identified by those attending the group, building self-esteem, problem solving, recognition that individuals victimized by domestic violence are responsible for their own life decisions and that batterers are responsible for their violent behavior and safety planning are just a few areas of focus in this workshop.

Instructor - Pat Blackstone Program Coordinator, ACADV - As Program Coordinator Pat monitors and evaluates the thirty-five domesitc violence shelters in AR to assure standards are being met for state funding through the Domesitc Peace Fund.  She also provides technical assistance and board and staff trainings.  Prior to going to the Coalition in September 2005, Pat was Executive Director of a comprehensive homeless and abused women's shelter in Little Rock.  Ms. Blackstone has worked in AR for over 25 years on issues concerning children and families.  She was the teen parent liaison with the three school districts and the Department of Human Services for new Futures for Youth and worked with homeless coordinators and counselors in all the secondary schools in Pulaski County.  During that time she was elected to the North Little Rock School District, where she served as president, adn NLR PTA President.  She also works with the Legislature on issues concerning women and their children, domestic violence and homelessness.

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Children's Group is a place for the child to talk and to learn about what they've experienced and how it's affected them. The children's group gives them an environment where they can be themselves and a safe place to talk about their feelings. They can also learn skills, like anger-management, dealing with other people and other children, and problem-solving. They can have a better idea of understanding diversity; why they're different; why other people are different from them. We can teach them respect, for women, for themselves, and for each other. Domestic Violence Advocates who conduct support groups for children, will receive training on how to effectively and appropriately work with children who have witnessed domestic violence. The purpose of this workshop is to provide support for these children, not to diagnose or counsel. Information will be provided to advocates so that they will have the materials needed to facilitate these support groups.

Instructor - Tanner Pickett, Director of Customer Service for Ascent Children's Health Services.  Over the past 6 years, Tanner has worked as a Case manager, Clinical Services Coordinator & Clinic Director.  He has worked to coordinate treatment of abused children through clinic programming with Mental Health Adminstrations from Arkansas State University.  Ascent Children's Health Services works to provide day treatment & therapy services for children with developmental, behavioral, and/or medical needs.  Ascent currently has 10 locations thoughtout the state of Arkansas.

Instructor - Jessica McLeod is licensed in social work in the the state of Arkansas.  She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology.  During her undergraduate years, she worked as a victim/witness assistant in Kansas, where she advocated for children and families who were victims of crime and violence.  Jessica received her Master's Degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis.  She completed practicum hours at a pediatric rehabilitaion clinic, where she worked with children and families who experienced physical and emotional trauma influenced by crime, violence, family and outside stressors.  She worked at St. Louis Children's Hospital, where she specialized in the Emergency Department and working with children exposed to abuse.  After graduating, she relocated to Little Rock, Arkansas and began working at Arkansas Children's Hospital as a social worker on the Team for Children At Risk (TCAR). In April 2007, Jessica became a

full-time therapist at Ascent Children's Services, where she conducts play therapy with children, therapy with adolescents, family therapy, and interacts with interdisciplinary organizations locally and across the state. 

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Child Abuse and Neglect for Mandated Reporters - Morning Session

A professional with the legal responsibility to report suspected child abuse or neglect carefully considers the decision to make a report.  Sometimes the case is clear cut; other times there are issues which make reporting less certain.  This workshop is designed to give domestic violence advoates the tools and guidance to help them with the critical decision of knowing when to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

Instructor - Joylyn Humphrey, L.C.S.W. - Joylyn has been employed by MidSOUTH Training Academy for the past 10 years where she has delivered training on a variety of topics related to child welfare.  MidSOUTH provides staff development training to the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) of the Department of Human Services.  MidSOUTH also makes their training available to others who work in or with child welfare services.  Prior to joining MidSOUTH, Joylyn worked for 7 hears with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in the Department of Psychiatry and spent 3 years providing community mental health services in the delta of Arkansas.

Child Advocacy - Afternoon Session

A children's advocate typically represents or gives voice to an individual or group whose concerns and interests are not being heard.  A child advocate will try to prevent children from being harmed and may try to obtain justice for those who have already been injured in some way.  A child advocate may also seek to ensure that children have access to positive influences or services which will benefit their lives such as education, childcare and proper parenting.  Child advocates exist in school, community, and domestic violence shelters to protect and nurture children. Within the criminal justice system, child advocates are concerned with developmental needs of children and young people, and can play an important role in enduring due process rights for young people in conflict with the law.  They can help provide a voice for children and young people, ensure just and human conditions of custody, and guard the privacy rights surrounding record provisions.  They can also work to ensure that the special legal protections assigned to young people are provdied with dignity and fairness.  This workshop will have experts in the field from Child Protective Services and Court Appointed Special Advocates talk about their roles and responsibilities in their fields and give child advocates in domestic violence shelters information to improve protection and services for the children in the domestic violence shelters.

Instructor - Julian Holloway - Julian is the Director of the Arkansas State CASA Association.  Previously, Julia was the Director for the Pulaski County CASA program based in Little Rock.  Her experience with CASE began in 1994 when she trained to become an advocate in Nashville, Tennessee.  CASA or Court Appointed Special Advocates, is an association of non-profit child welfare organizations whose mission is to train adults to advocate for abused and neglected children in court, in an effort to move those children toward safe, permanent homes.  Julian graduated from the University of Tampa with a degree in Communnications and attended Nova Southeastern Law School.  She is a produced playwright and collector of antique books.  She lives with her family and a big, yellow dog in Maumelle. 

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This workshop is designed for civilian advocates working with military victims of domestic violence – both active duty victims and partners of active duty service members. It will help you respond to the uniquely challenging needs of this population of survivors. Whether you work or volunteer in a shelter, government or law enforcement agency, hospital, faith-based organization or other civilian setting, this workshop presumes that you are familiar with the dynamics of domestic violence, and that you are, already, working with survivors to build lives free from violence and abuse. It also presumes that you are familiar with civilian response systems in your state and community, and that you have already created a toolbox of strategies tailored to meet local needs.

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Victim service providers report that the Internet is rapidly becoming another weapon used by batterers against their victims. Just as in real life, abused women can be followed in cyberspace by their batterers, who may place their target under surveillance without her knowledge and use the information to threaten her or discredit her by putting misinformation on the Internet. Because cyberstalking is a relatively new criminal phenomenon, very little public attention and resources have been committed to addressing this crime. Consequently, victims of online harassment and threats, often look to victim service providers and advocates, who lack the information and tools needed to adequately respond to these crimes effectively. The purpose of this workshop is to give needed information and tools to victim advocates.

Instructor - Pat Blackstone Program Coordinator, ACADV - As Program Coordinator Pat monitors and evaluates the thirty-five domesitc violence shelters in AR to assure standards are being met for state funding through the Domesitc Peace Fund.  She also provides technical assistance and board and staff trainings.  Prior to going to the Coalition in September 2005, Pat was Executive Director of a comprehensive homeless and abused women's shelter in Little Rock.  Ms. Blackstone has worked in AR for over 25 years on issues concerning children and families.  She was the teen parent liaison with the three school districts and the Department of Human Services for new Futures for Youth and worked with homeless coordinators and counselors in all the secondary schools in Pulaski County.  During that time she was elected to the North Little Rock School District, where she served as president, adn NLR PTA President.  She also works with the Legislature on issues concerning women and their children, domestic violence and homelessness.

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Teenagers often experience violence in dating relationships. Statistics show that one in three teenagers has experienced violence in a dating relationship. In dating violence, one partner tries to maintain power and control over the other through abuse. Dating violence crosses all racial, economic and social lines. Most victims are young women, who are also at greater risk for serious injury. Young women need a dating safety plan. This workshop is designed to train individuals to education our teens about this issue, how to be safe and where they can get help. This workshop is also designed to provide information directly to teenagers, school and church groups and others working with teens.

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The process by which individuals and systems respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, religions, genders, sexual orientation and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of individuals, families and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each. In this workshop we will discuss how we can be more cultural competent in this ever changing America. Specifically we will focus on the growing Hispanic and Vietnamese culture in our country.

Instructor - Terri Berger - Terri is the Education Coordinator for the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  She has over 8 years experience working with families and addressing issues of violence.  Terri worked with economically challenged women as the Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator, empowering women to work their way off government assistance while employed with the Pulaski County Housing Agency in Little Rock, Arkansas.  She worked with at risk youth and families, as a Family Service Worker, Case Worker and Investigator at DCFS and was a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the 20th Judicial District in Faulkner county, Arkansas.  She was the Outreach Coordinator for the Womesn' Shelter of Central Arkansas in Conway.  She worked with the victims of domestic violence in the community, served as a Legal Advocate, and was responsible for going into the community and schools to conduct domestic violence prevention education and awareness.  Terri received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas.  She is certified by the State of Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standares as a Specialized Instructor for Domestic Violence Dynamics.  She is a memeber of the Crime Victim's Assistance Association. 

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Domestic violence can be deadly. Law enforcement officers are often the first to become involved with these families where violence is occurring. We are quickly gravitating away from the old thinking that this is “just a domestic” and are now forced to face the reality that we are now dealing with homicide prevention. This course is designed to provide the law enforcement officer with an overview of the dynamics of domestic violence. Education on domestic violence brings an understanding to the problem and alerts us to the signs of abuse and actions needed to be taken to end it. In this course we will discuss recent statistics, laws, different types of abuse, myths and facts, the power and control wheel, why victims stay, and the characteristics of a batterer. The focus will be primarily on the domestic violence laws and resources that are not being utilized in our state to help victims and hold batterers accountable.

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ADA Laws, Resources & Responsibilities - Morning Session

The purpose of this workshop is to present the ADA's requirements to domestic violence program directors for the purpose improving the quality of services for victims of domestic violence with a disability. It is widely believed that women with disabilities are disproportionately at risk of intimate partner violence, yet they rarely seek the services of a shelter. It is the purpose of this workshop to raise the consciousness of providers of domestic violence services about how to better serve women with disabilities, and to enhance the ability of programs serving survivors to reach out to survivors with disabilities. In this workshop we will address the following questions: How well do domestic violence shelters serve people with disabilities? Do shelters comply with the federal laws mandating nondiscrimination on the basis of disability? Do people with disabilities feel welcome? Are women with hearing disabilities communicated with effectively? Are shelters accessible to women who use wheelchairs? How many women with disabilities are victims of abuse? Can women with visual disabilities use the shelter? What services are provided to women in group homes for people with developmental disabilities? What services do women with mental illnesses receive? Is staff trained to address the needs of women who bring service dogs into shelter? These and many other questions all arise from the application of the ADA to shelters.

ACADV Program & Fiscal Standards - Afternoon Session

The purpose of this workshop is to review ACADV Program & Fiscal Standards.  The history of Standards will be discussed including the creation of Standards, Arkansas Code and funding.  An overview of program requirements and the review process will be included.

Instructor -Pat Blackstone Program Coordinator, ACADV - As Program Coordinator Pat monitors and evaluates the thirty-five domesitc violence shelters in AR to assure standards are being met for state funding through the Domesitc Peace Fund.  She also provides technical assistance and board and staff trainings.  Prior to going to the Coalition in September 2005, Pat was Executive Director of a comprehensive homeless and abused women's shelter in Little Rock.  Ms. Blackstone has worked in AR for over 25 years on issues concerning children and families.  She was the teen parent liaison with the three school districts and the Department of Human Services for new Futures for Youth and worked with homeless coordinators and counselors in all the secondary schools in Pulaski County.  During that time she was elected to the North Little Rock School District, where she served as president, adn NLR PTA President.  She also works with the Legislature on issues concerning women and their children, domestic violence and homelessness.

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Introduction to Grant Writing - Morning Session

This workshop is for beginning grant writers wanting to learn basic grant writing techniques from A to Z that will equip them with the skills and tools they need to enter the exciting field of grant writing! You will learn how to use buzz words, ways to format the proposal, tailor your cause, capture your audience, crate a budget and bring in the funding your organization needs.  After this workshop, you will have the tools you will need to successfully complete your winning proposal.

Advanced Grant Writing - Afternoon Session

This workshop is for skilled grant writers to obtain advanced techniques and strategies to strengthen grant writing skills.  You will learn how to raise needed funds by discovering how and where to look for potential funders who are a good match for your organization.  You will also learn how to network and develop true partnerships with a variety of funders, how to organize a successful grant writing campaign, and how to put together a complete proposal package..

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Personnel Management Morning Session

In this workshop we will discuss the intricacies of the workers’ compensation law and related issues and help bring clarity to complicated legal and medical issues, cost control and claims management concerns, safety programs, and even those confusing governmental forms.

Unemployment & Worker’s Compensation Afternoon Session

This workshop will cover unemployment insurance and employer compliance with the Arkansas Employment Security Law, unemployment insurance contributions from employers, unemployment insurance benefits to those eligible, and management information systems for filing unemployment insurance claims and fraud detection.

Instructors-

Sherry Jones - Sherry went to work for the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (DWS) on January 13, 1975.  At that time DWS was known as the Arkansas Employment Security Department.  She worked in the Jonesboro local office as an interviewer in the Unemployment Insurance section until 1984, when she was promoted to UI supervisor for the Jonesboro office. Sherry remained in that job for 13 years and in 1997, became a Management Project Analyst, out stationed in Jonesboro for the state DWS UI technical section.  Sherry remains in that position today.  Her duties include developing, and coductin UI training across the state, speaking to employers and claimant groups, corresponding to local officials as well as the public regardkign UI questions; interpreting Arkansas UI law; and writing UI manuals. Sherry also works on special UI projects that include: Arkansas' current Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for claiming wkkely benefits as well as the internet application for claiming benefits; DWS automated system for adjudication of UI nonmonetary determinations; UI's self service application for filing claims via our intra net system.  She is currently working on implementing the use of debit cards for the payment of UI benefits. In total, Sherry has 33 years experience working with Arkansas unemployment insurance.  I plan to retire early next year. 

Patricia Burge, Director of the Health and Safety Division of the Arkansas Workers' Compenstaion Commission.  Pat has been with the commission since 1997.  Pat has been active in the occupational health, safey and environment profession in Arkansas since the early 1970's, working for a number of companies as an industiral hygienist and environmental manager.  She is a Certified Industiral Hygienist and has a master's degree in toxicology from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.  Patircia is a past president and board memeber of the American Industiral Hygiene Association's Arkansas Local Section and has served ont he national AIHA's Toxicology Committee.  Patricia is a life-long Arkansas.  She grew up on her family's farm near Batesville in Independence County. 

Jennifer A. Love - Jennifer, a native of Jonesboro and an ASU graduate, is Cheif Legal Counsel and head of the Legal Advisor Division at the Workers' Compensation Commission.  She also oversees the Commission's Mediation program and has received over 40 hours of mediation training.  She received her Juris Doctoral from the UALR School of Law.  Upon graduation, she immediately joined the Attorney General's Office as an Assistant Attorney General.  For a time she lived in Ft. Smith and was a staff attorney for Beverly Enterprises, Inc.  at their corporate headquarters there.  She returned to Little Rock in 1992 and has been with the Commission since June of that year.  Ms. Love's hobbies include volunteering for Heifer International, amateur archeology, and travel.  She is a former board memeber of Central Arkansas Transit Association, Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County, and the Hillcrest Residents Association.  She is a member of the Arkansas Bar Association. 

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A hands-on interactive workshop to give advocates the tools to effectively use ALICE for the purpose of documenting hotline calls, residential and non-residential client documentation, child services, outreach information, employee/volunteer/board information, and various reports.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions about using ALICE to meet their individual program needs. 9:30am- 12:pm.  Lunch is not provided for this workshop.

Instructor - Lee Nailing, Lee is currently working as the Legal Director at Domestic Violence prevention, INC. (DVP).  He has been the legal director for the Bi-State Legal Program in Texas and Arkansas for five years.  Lee was one of the first male domestic violence advocates in an office located in a domestic violence shelter.  He developed a system allowing all DV victims presenting to Circuit Clerks Office in Miller and Lafayette Counties to be processed thought DVP, working in collaboration with 3 circuit judges and clerks.  Lee has developed a working relationship with all law enforcement agencies within DVP's coverage area.  Lee is a member of the Domestic Violence Task Force founded by Representative Dawn Creekmoore to review and develop changes and/or addition to Arkansas Family Law.  he set up the ALICE date base for 17 users in his area and oversees the ALICE program and maintaining updates and all reporting procedures for Arkansas and Texas.  Lee is an active member of the Legal Advocate Network in Texas and was a Court Appointed Special Advocate for two years.

Introduction to Non-Profit Fundraising & Board Management Morning Session

This workshop will provide an overview of nonprofit fundraising, cover the psychology and history of philanthropy and will include the basics of annual giving, special events, major gifts, and planned giving. Also included is information focused on motivating nonprofit board members to become more active and enthusiastic in their managing and fundraising responsibilities.

Development thru Strategic Planning Afternoon Session

This workshop will focus on the Organizational Capacity Building of Arkansas Domestic Violence Shelters Project and how it can help strengthen your board and organization.

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All professions have clearly defined codes of ethics, establishing standards of behavior.  Professisonal adherence to these standards are reviewed and upheld by the various licensing agencies and organizations.  Civil and criminal laws exist to further strongly deter professional misconduct or malpractice which causes harm to individuals.  Advocates will be given information concerning specific ethical practices for employees working in domestic violence programs.

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Regional meetings and creating a fund development plan for your program. 

(All directors and board members are encouraged to attend)

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What does a Spanish sentence look like? What do Spanish verbs look like? How do I ask a question in Spanish? How do I use adjectives in Spanish? What are the main difficulties in learning Spanish for an English speaker?  What are the easiest thigns about learning Spanish for an English speaker?  Why bother learning Spanish? 

In this workshop we will attempt to answer all these questions and more.  Participants will be given basic tools to begin learning the Spanish language.  Participants should be prepared to participate in Spanish speaking activities.

Instructor -Bridget White- Bridget has been the VAWA Immigration Specialist for Catholic Charities Immigration Services in Little Rock, AR since March, 2007.  Bridget works with immigrant victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and other violent crimes.  She aids them by providing legal assistance related to the immigration process, under the direct supervision of BIA Accredited Representiatives.  She  is also responsible for providing outreach to the immigrant community in order to inform them of the immigration benefits that may be available to them.  Bridget is a Notary Public, and is working on attaining accreditation for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Board of Immigration and Appeals (BIA).  Bridget earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, emphasis in Business Management; a Post-Baccalaureate Bachelor of Arts in Spanish; and an International Master of Business Administrations. During her studies, she worked as a Graduate Assistant fot he Marketing and Management Department, MBA Office, and for the Economics, Finance, Investment and Real Estate Managememtn Department.  As part of the requirements for her IMBA and Spanish degrees, Bridget studied at the Universidad de Colima and the Universidad Veracruzana, both in Mexico.  While at the Universidad de Colima, she worked as an intern in the Facultad de Becay y Estudiantes Extranjeros (Department of Scholarships and Foreign-Exchange Students). Her main duty was revision of the university's website.  She also worked as an intern for the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department in the Public Affairs Office. 

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Power and control are central to the issue of domestic violence. Tactics used to establish control include economic abuse, emotional abuse, isolation and threats, particularly around the victims’ fears of losing children. Other tactics are isolation, minimizing, denying and refusing to take responsibility for his/her actions, e.g., “look what you made me do.” In this workshop we will discuss the history and philosophy of the battered women’s movement, the power and control wheel, equality wheel, the effects of domestic violence. We will also clarify any myths, discuss why people batter and why victims stay, stages of victims leaving, the lethality assessment and the cycle of violence.

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There are so many failures in the ‘system’ and so many men women and children who fall through the cracks of legal protection that go unnoticed by the press and the general public. Advocacy takes a little time and a strong commitment. In this workshop we discuss various strategies and techniques used to empower victims of domestic violence. We promote problem solving, safety planning, and support groups for victims of domestic violence. Service Providers are given instruction in service provision, crisis counseling, hotline operation, communication and listening skills.

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Legal Advocacy is a service offered by domestic violence programs for victims of domestic violence. The legal advocate provides access to the necessary forms needed to file for a temporary protection order (TPO). Legal advocates accompany victims to court. Domestic Violence victims are provided with the emotional and physical support to deal with the stress of the court hearing and facing their batterer in court. In this workshop, we will discuss all state and federal domestic violence statutes, orders or protection, victim impact statements, civil remedies, crime victims’ rights and crime reparations. Legal Advocates work with the courts, attorneys and law enforcement to hold batterer’s accountable and get justice for the victims of domestic violence. This workshop is designed to provide service providers and others in the community information to better service victims of domestic violence.

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This workshop is designed to give participants more advanced information regarding domestic violence. Topics include the dynamics of domestic violence, typology of abusers, primary aggressor, when women kill, strangulation, violence on children and abused men. Participants at the end of this workshop will be able to distinguish between the different types of abusers, have a better understanding of who is the primary aggressor, gain insight into what drives women to kill, be able to define and recognize strangulation, a knowledge of the effects of violence on children and identify abused men.

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Immigrant women arrive to this country alone or with their spouses in the hope of creating a better life for themselves and their children. Many flee political repression, severe poverty, domestic violence, unemployment, or war. In their home countries, they may have faced rape or torture for their political beliefs. They may have been forced into prostitution, state-sponsored sterilization programs, or may have been subjected to female genital mutilation. They may bear physical and psychological scars from this abuse and may still be fighting the effects of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this workshop advocates of domestic violence will gain information about immigrant and human trafficking victims’ civil rights, cultural differences, translation issues and civil legal services. Advocates will be given information and tools regarding cultural diversity and conversational Spanish.

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Researchers have long been aware of the link between domestic violence and child abuse. Even if children are witnesses to acts of violence and not the intended targets, they can be affected in the same ways as children who are physically and sexually abused. Since domestic violence is a pattern of behavior, not a single event, episodes may become more severe and more frequent over time, resulting in an increased likelihood that the children eventually become victims. The following offers some commonly asked questions and answers about domestic violence and its relationship to child abuse. This course focuses on how advocates working with families where domestic violence is present can advocate for the silent victims of domestic violence, the children.

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These interactive group sessions may be non-directed, topic oriented, and/or informational or educational. Support group services provide understanding and support for survivors of domestic violence and provide recreational and life-skill building. In this workshop, participants will be given information and instruction for facilitating domestic violence support groups. Active listening, addressing needs identified by those attending the group, building self-esteem, problem solving, recognition that individuals victimized by domestic violence are responsible for their own life decisions and that batterers are responsible for their violent behavior and safety planning are just a few areas of focus in this workshop.

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Teenagers often experience violence in dating relationships. Statistics show that one in three teenagers has experienced violence in a dating relationship. In dating violence, one partner tries to maintain power and control over the other through abuse. Dating violence crosses all racial, economic and social lines. Most victims are young women, who are also at greater risk for serious injury. Young women need a dating safety plan. This workshop is designed to train individuals to education our teens about this issue, how to be safe and where they can get help. This workshop is also designed to provide information directly to teenagers, school and church groups and others working with teens.

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The process by which individuals and systems respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, religions, genders, sexual orientation and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of individuals, families and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each. In this workshop we will discuss how we can be more cultural competent in this ever changing America. Specifically we will focus on the growing Hispanic and Vietnamese culture in our country.

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Domestic violence can be deadly. Law enforcement officers are often the first to become involved with these families where violence is occurring. We are quickly gravitating away from the old thinking that this is “just a domestic” and are now forced to face the reality that we are now dealing with homicide prevention. This course is designed to provide the law enforcement officer with an overview of the dynamics of domestic violence. Education on domestic violence brings an understanding to the problem and alerts us to the signs of abuse and actions needed to be taken to end it. In this course we will discuss recent statistics, laws, different types of abuse, myths and facts, the power and control wheel, why victims stay, and the characteristics of a batterer. The focus will be primarily on the domestic violence laws and resources that are not being utilized in our state to help victims and hold batterers accountable.

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Domestic voilence prgrams use unpaid volunteers to augment the program's direct and indirect services provided by paid staff.  Programs have written policies and procedures regarding the recruitment, screening, training, supervision and/or dismissal of volunteeers used to proved both direct and indirect services.  Such policies clarify the roles and contributions of volunteers to the program's prevision of service, with specific details addressing how, when, where,a nd the frequency with which volunteers will be used.  This workshopw ill give information on the dynamics of domestic violence, basic advocacy, crisis intervention and hotline calls.  The training for service provision is based upon a model of empowerment, support, education and advocacy.

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A Board of Directors that is a legally constituted group of individuals whose function is to oversee operations of the domestic violence shelter and related services shall govern Domestic Violence Shelters. Each member of the agency’s Board of Directors will participate in an orientation within six (6) months after joining the board. The orientation shall include an explanation of the dynamics of domestic violence, the agency’s policies, and the role of a board member. A statement of mission and purposes should articulate the organization’s goals, means, and primary constituents served. It is the Board of Directors’ responsibility to create the mission statement and review it periodically for accuracy and validity. Each individual board member should fully understand and support it. This workshop will provide information to give new board members the information they need to meet program and fiscal standards and have a better understanding of their role and responsibilities’.

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A hotline operated by a domestic violence program must provide 24-hour crisis telephone access to the program. Programs offering hotline services must provide emergency telephone crisis intervention and advocacy. These services include assessment of the caller’s critical needs, crisis intervention, safety planning and information and referral to available community resources. This workshop will provide advocates answering the hotline with the information needed to be effective working with victims in crisis.

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