Training Updates from the OCR

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Training Tuesdays from the Office of the Child's Representative (OCR) is an email bulletin for OCR attorneys and other child welfare stakeholders detailing upcoming OCR sponsored or approved training, outside training opportunities, new resources, and more!  If you have questions or a training resource that you would like to see featured in a future bulletin, please contact michellejensen@coloradochildrep.org. 

Join Us!

School Discipline Issues and Federal Guidance Update

Sept 27, 2022 | OCR Sponsored | Webinar 12pm-1pm
 

Education and Disability specialists Elie Zwiebel and Matt Cloven will be presenting on a federal update covering school discipline. The new federal guidance was published in July. Matt and Elie will discuss what this guidance changes and go over some case examples to highlight the change. They will discuss current challenges contractors are facing and which professionals to involve and the steps to take to address issues.

Bring your case questions. Elie and Matt are also willing to answer any general education or disability questions that you might be experiencing with the beginning of school. You’re encouraged to bring questions for a possible quick answer or at least get suggestions on steps for a longer-term plan on a case of yours.

Join Us!

The Roles & Responsibilities of Case Consultants in Client-Directed Representation

October 28, 2022 | OCR Sponsored |
Webinar 12-1:30pm
 

Audience: case consultants and OCR attorneys who work with case consultants.

This training will examine what is similar with best interest representation and what is different with the role of the case consultant in a direct representation model. Topics will include the importance of confidentiality, what it means in practice, and how to communicate and advocate with other parties while working in this new confidential framework. We’ll also discuss creative solutions for safety planning and other areas CCs can help support the implementation of direct representation. As part of this training OCR is encouraging CCs (and GALs who work with CCs) to come with any questions, concerns, or case scenarios to discuss.

Register Today!

RAEs: What Are They and How Can They Help

November 4, 2022 | OCR Sponsored |
Webinar 12-1:30pm
 

Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs) are responsible for promoting physical and behavioral health for individuals (members) enrolled in Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid). The RAEs contract and support a network of Primary Care Medical Providers (PCMPs) to serve as members’ central point of care. In addition, the RAEs provide or arrange for the delivery of mental health and substance use disorder services. A RAE can help members connect with non-medical services within their region. A RAE is assigned based on location of a member’s PCMP.

Come meet with regional RAE coordinators as well as fellow contractors describing their experiences working with RAEs. These Medicaid funded services can be used in conjunction with DHS services or on cases that have no DHS involvement. The training will give more detail on available services and how they are utilized. We will provide contact information for your local coordinator and how to contact them. There will be case examples, and all are encouraged to bring case specific questions. If you’re running into a lack of potential placements or services, this would be a good opportunity to ask how involving a RAE could help.

Colorado Bar Association

Who’s Their Daddy? Navigating APR and Paternity Cases

September 22, 2022 | Virtual | 7:30-8:30am

In the United States, approximately 40% of all children are born to unmarried parents. In this presentation, we will review the legal standards and case law governing paternity actions and paternity action procedures, and will explain the differences between actions for allocation of parental responsibilities under Title 14 and paternity actions under Title 19.

CWLA

Dear Black Male

October 5, 2022 | Virtual

CWLA has partnered with Welcome2Reality, LLC to present the engaging four-part training series, Dear Black Male. We invite you to join us for a training that will provide an overview of the history and culture of African Americans with a focus on recognizing cultural mistrust, issues faced, and perceptions of Black males. Through lecture and discussion, participants will identity how efforts to adequately provide for Back males can be linked to the fight for larger social justice goals for themselves and their communities. Participants in this training will:

• Develop an understanding of the importance of the role of the historian in interpreting African American history;
• Expand their knowledge and awareness of the disproportionality of Black males who are institutionalized and the impact it has on communities;
• Learn the most common mistakes professionals make when working with Black males and how to avoid them; and
• Engage in dialogue to identify strengths-based practices and interventions that foster family health and resilience.

This training is open and welcome to everyone. The training format will incorporate lecture, discussion, video, and group activities. ​

Four-Part Series: October 5, 12, 19, 26 | 11am-1pm MDT
 

Association of Family & Conciliation Courts

Representing Children in International Cases

October 18, 2022 | Webinar | 11am-12pm 

This session will feature lawyers from the US and UK discussing how children are heard in international parental child abduction cases, the emerging issues of children having independent counsel in Hague Abduction cases, and policy considerations and best practices for working with children in these complex matters.

COAFCC

2022 Fall Conference: Cultural Sensitivity, Humility, and Competence

October 28-29, 2022 | In-person or Live Stream

This exciting conference will address and respect our ignorance when representing clients from different cultural backgrounds or belief systems. It is designed to help us battle our own biases, and to enhance our ability to effectively advocate for recognition of our clients’ differing cultural backgrounds and belief systems in family court, while still maintaining a healthy awareness of our own ignorance.

Association of Family & Conciliation Courts

15th Symposium on Child Custody

November 10-12, 2022 | Las Vegas, NV

When a full house becomes parenting apart, changes in the family can become all consuming. While most families can successfully navigate these changes, some struggle due to a variety of issues, including substance misuse, parental alienating behaviors, intimate partner violence, and other challenges. How can family justice professionals help when children are dealt a bad hand? Is a successful future in the cards for high-conflict families? Join AFCC in Las Vegas as we examine the challenges of parenting apart.

Topics Include:

• AFCC Guidelines for Parenting Plan Evaluations
• The Dangers of Concept Creep in Family Law
• Psychological Testing
• Sorting Trauma from Stress in Family Court
• When Your Child Doesn’t Want to Go
• Ethics of ODR
• Child Mental Health
• Mediation for Unrepresented Parents
• Research on Parent-Child Estrangement
• Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another
• Children with Special Needs and Resist-Refuse
• Unsticking the Stuck Client

Georgetown University

Supporting the Well-Being of System-Involved LGBTQ Youth Certificate Program

November 14-18, 2022 | Virtual

This intensive virtual training opportunity will focus on the challenges faced by LGBTQ youth in youth-serving systems (including juvenile justice, child welfare, education, and behavioral health), as well as strengths and protective factors common to this population. Individual sessions will address issues around youth, family, and community engagement, gender identity and expression, and taking a multi-system, holistic approach to serving LGBTQ youth. Throughout the program, instructors will highlight effective policy and practice reforms that promote positive youth development. Following the Certificate Program, each team or individual will also complete a local Capstone Project reform effort with the opportunity to receive additional technical assistance.

Apply by October 5th