Suspects/Offenders’ Issues Series: Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Programs: Lessons Learned on Working with Police

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For more than 25 years, crisis intervention teams (CIT) have helped local communities come together to improve interactions between police and people living with psychiatric disabilities. The goal of these programs is safer encounters between police and individuals in crisis, give police tools to respond to crisis situations and link people to mental health services. CIT programs also ensure better coordination between law enforcement agencies, mental health providers and other service providers, and individuals and families. While CIT may not be a perfect fit to meet the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it does provide lessons for the IDD community on how to partner with law enforcement. Ms. Usher will share lessons on how to partner with police and build a sustainable change in local communities to address the needs of people with disabilities.

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Day and Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Forensic/Sexual Behaviors

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For the last 25 years the SES program at CLASS has supported individuals in a community-based, therapeutic work setting. Currently the program supports 58 individuals, both male and female, contracted through the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Disabilities, Department of Mental Health, and Rehabilitation Commission. Individuals who are forensically involved, SORB (Sex Offender Registry Board) identified, and/or exhibit dangerous behaviors present unique challenges regarding day and employment services. CLASS is a proud chapter of the Arc, The Arc of Greater Lawrence.

CLASS’s SES program employs a person-centered, data-based treatment model to provide effective vocational training and employment opportunities for adults with developmental, cognitive, mental health, and/or SORB-related, high-risk issues. The SES program structure relies on a staffing ratio of 1 to 4 and emphasizes the therapeutic value of employment for individuals with complex life experiences, psychiatric diagnoses and behavioral challenges. The SES treatment approach incorporates a multi-tiered model of universal expectations for all individuals in the program, which includes targeted group contingencies for identified issues and individualized treatment interventions designed to address significantly challenging issues. This webinar discusses an SES program overview as well as the obstacles and opportunities in providing this treatment modality.

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 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): A Hidden Disability

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Criminal suspects and offenders often have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs), a disability which is frequently undiagnosed and yet is often the key to understanding the individual and dealing with him or her. The American Bar Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, among others, have recently passed resolutions indicating the seriousness of this condition and the importance of recognition and treatment. Research indicates that 60% of individuals with this disorder will be arrested at some point in their lives and 50% will be incarcerated or placed in a locked mental health facility. A Canadian study of youth in juvenile facilities found 40 times the expected rate of individuals with FASD. This session will explore the reasons for these numbers as well as some strategies for appropriate intervention both before and after arrest. Dawnmarie Bisgard will describe some of the reasons for the response of individuals living with FASDs to law enforcement officers from the perspective of the affected individual. Ms. Bisgard will discuss strategies which were able to change an expected recidivism rate of 50% to 15% for youth with FASDs who were on Probation in the 17th Judicial District of Colorado during a study funded by the FASD Center for Excellence.

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Alternatives to Incarceration for Criminal Offenders with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

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Criminal offenders with developmental and intellectual disabilities (IDD) present unique challenges to the criminal justice system seeking to investigate and prosecute crime as well as to the social service system seeking to serve and assist this population. Such individuals make up at least 9 – 10% of the prison population and some studies tell us that they may comprise as much as 50% of adult and juvenile offender populations. It is unquestioned that individuals with IDD face distinct disadvantages in the system, resulting in convictions for more serious offenses and more prison time. The Criminal Justice Advocacy Program (CJAP) of The Arc of NJ seeks to overcome these disadvantages, while still ensuring that offenders take responsibility for criminal behavior, by arranging specific interventions that provide alternatives to incarceration through offender-specific Personalized Justice Plans. The CJAP also acts as a clearinghouse of information between the criminal justice and social service system in providing training and communication between the two systems. This webinar will review the obstacles and disadvantages faced by this population and provide an overview of the CJAP.

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Suspects/Offenders Issue Series: Disability Awareness Training: A Train the Trainer Program for First Responders

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This webinar explores the main elements of training law enforcement, best ways to deliver training, challenges every police department encounters, and how Disability Awareness Training should be incorporated.

Everyone needs disability awareness training; this is not unique to first responders. However, a presence at situations that call for a response to challenging behaviors, alleged criminal conduct, physical and medical needs, assistance in a matter, or service and protection are imperative to the well-being and quality of life for the individual(s) first responders come in contact with. Individuals with disabilities may require response that would vary from everyday encounters. If you are not educated on this topic, results can be catastrophic.

Mr. Whalen, Chief Askey, and Captain Mann will introduce the main elements in training law enforcement, best ways to deliver training, challenges every police department has, and how Disability Awareness Training should be incorporated. They will also discuss the role of law enforcement and how it may call for a different approach when interacting with an individual with a disability and how training plays a key role in ensuring a proper response.

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Abuse of People with Disabilities: A Silent Epidemic

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This webinar explains what abuse is, the different forms abuse can take, and tells victims how they can report abuse.

Join us for a webinar featuring a self-advocacy PSA, “Abuse of People with Disabilities: A Silent Epidemic,” by powerful self-advocates Kecia Weller and Molly Kennedy. Molly will join us as a presenter to explain what abuse is and the different forms abuse can take, and tell victims how to report abuse. She will explain the word “intimidation”, and help victims understand that abuse is always unacceptable.

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Using Model Protocols to Guide Criminal Justice Responses to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims with Disabilities

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Domestic and sexual violence against people with disabilities occurs at pandemic rates and yet offenders are rarely held accountable. Through an Office on Violence Against Women Arrest grant, Illinois developed model protocols for law enforcement and prosecutors that provide guidance for responding to violent crimes against people with disabilities. The protocols were developed through the collaborative efforts of victims with disabilities, law enforcement, prosecutors, victim services, disability service providers and other allies committed to criminal justice for crime victims with disabilities. The protocols guide law enforcement and prosecutors in responding to domestic violence and sexual assault victims with disabilities through model guidelines, investigative procedures, pre-trail motion examples, and legal considerations. This webinar will highlight Illinois’ statewide effort to develop the model protocols including the collaborative multi-disciplinary process, design challenges, training and technical assistance components and lessons learned. Key areas of the protocol will be reviewed as well as the process for statewide implementation. NCCJD webinar presenter, Shirley Paceley, working alongside victims with disabilities, facilitated the work group which developed the protocols; provided training of trainers on the protocols and is providing training and technical assistance across the state as the protocols are implemented.

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Assisting Crime Victims With Disabilities: Identifying Barriers & Improving Law Enforcement Response

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Domestic and sexual violence against people with disabilities occurs at pandemic rates and yet offenders are rarely held accountable. Through an Office on Violence Against Women Arrest grant, Illinois developed model protocols for law enforcement and prosecutors that provide guidance for responding to violent crimes against people with disabilities. The protocols were developed through the collaborative efforts of victims with disabilities, law enforcement, prosecutors, victim services, disability service providers and other allies committed to criminal justice for crime victims with disabilities. The protocols guide law enforcement and prosecutors in responding to domestic violence and sexual assault victims with disabilities through model guidelines, investigative procedures, pre-trial motion examples, and legal considerations. This webinar highlights Illinois’ statewide effort to develop the model protocols including the collaborative multi-disciplinary process, design challenges, training and technical assistance components and lessons learned. Key areas of the protocol will be reviewed as well as the process for statewide implementation. NCCJD webinar presenter, Shirley Paceley, working alongside victims with disabilities, facilitated the work group which developed the protocols; provided training of trainers on the protocols and provided training and technical assistance across the state as the protocols were implemented.

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Connecting the Dots and Building Collaboration to Support People With Disabilities Who Experience Sexual Violence

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The issue of sexual victimization presents a huge grey area that is often side stepped, leaving survivors without supports and services. Dr. Frantz shares important information criminal justice and disability professionals need to know about how to effectively serve these victims and how our own attitudes, experiences, and skill set influence how we respond to survivors with disabilities. Participants learn how “word choice” can impact the type of sexual assault services victims receive, the importance of “touch” as a proactive strategy for reducing risk of sexual victimization and understand how survivors with complex communication needs can testify in court.

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Understanding Behavioral Changes in Adults with IDD and Dementia

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$10 fee to view. This webinar dives into the behavioral aspects of dementia in persons with IDD. Dr. Kathie Bishop and Ms. Kathleen Pears will team up and go into detail regarding symptoms and behaviors associated with dementia in this population, and how sensory challenges can often be misinterpreted and associated with dementia. Environmental factors that can contribute to certain behaviors are introduced as well as changes that you can make in an individual’s environment that will help to reduce specific attributes as well.