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Domestic Violence Offender Management Board Quarterly Minute-July 2018
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WELCOME! 
NEW BOARD MEMBERS T UP 
newLydia WaligorskI
Representing Domestic Violence Victims and Victims Organizations
 
Kristana HuitrĂ³n
Representing Rural Coordination of Criminal Justice & Victims Services
 
Michelle Hunter
Representing Colorado Department of Corrections
 
Sandra Campanella
Representing Law Enforcement
FUTURE TRAINING DATES
DV 101 DVRNA Training 
trngOctober 2018
Boulder

December 2018
Denver
DV103 Offender Treatment Training
November 2018
Denver
DV200 Community Roundtable Discussion Training
October 2018
Boulder
Three Essentials in Feedback-Informed Treatment with People Who Commit Interpersonal Violence
September 20, 2018
Denver
Trainer: David Prescott
Decades of psychotherapy research has found that participation and accomplishment in treatment can be improved through careful attention to the therapeutic alliance. However, it is the client's experience of the alliance (not the clinician's) that is most predictive of outcome. Unfortunately, most clinicians (including those treating perpetrators of interpersonal violence) believe themselves to be more helpful than their clients do, and commonly do not recognize when their clients' progress in in jeopardy. 

This workshop describes Feedback-Informed Treatment (FIT; Bertolino, Bargmann, & Miller, 2011), a pantheoritical approach for evaluating and improving the quality and effectiveness of behavioral health services. FIT is a newly created model of change that focuses on treatment processes rather than techniques. FIT is consistent with and operationalizes the American Psychological Association's definition of evidence-based practice and is recognized as such by the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP). Using these methods can reduce therapist variability and assist clinicians in tailoring treatment to meet the client's needs. Case examples from the treatment of people who have committed interpersonal violence are provided.

Key topics covered:
* An overview of evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence
* What research shows works in the treatment of interpersonal violence and general psychotherapy
* Two measures for monitoring outcome and the therapeutic alliance
PROVIDERS!
KEEP US UPDATED
CONTACTIf you have recently changed employers, gone into private practice, changed a work address, changed your office phone number, changed your legal name, had a change in credentials, changed your pet name... well not that one, but you get the point. The DVOMB sometimes needs to contact you and relies on the information you have submitted in your initial application for approval or renewal application for continued listing.

Still not convinced? Referral sources may have a hard time contacting you as well if your information is not up-to-date. '

If you need to update your information, please complete this form and send it to carolina.thomasson@state.co.us
STANDUPStandUp COLORADO

The DVOMB and the Standup Colorado Campaign of the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence (now referred to as Violence Free Colorado) have partnered on a new initiative for identifying possible curricula, best practices, and resources for juveniles who commit domestic violence or relationship abuse. The statutory authority of the DVOMB in developing Standards for the evaluation and treatment of court order domestic violence offenders is limited to adult offenders, ages 18 and older. Despite this limitation in authority, the DVOMB has grown more aware in the last three years of the significant gaps that currently exist for juveniles in residential and community-based settings on issues related to the development of abusive behaviors during adolescence which often continue into young adulthood and beyond. With the importance of prevention and early intervention, exploring what services could be made available for youth who voluntarily enter into treatment may be a first-step in creating greater continuity of care and system-level interventions that can promote the safety of victims and communities statewide.

This initiative is being led by the Standup Colorado Campaign with support from the DVOMB staff. The goal of this initiative is not to create Standards for juveniles, but rather develop best practice guidelines for stakeholders to use when a youth is identified (or self-referred) for interventions to address both criminal and non-criminal abusive behavior. Currently, there are no resources or reporting options for youth who are committing relationship abuse. The idea with this initiative is to dedicate the needed resources that are grounded in research and clinical experience with the hope of creating a new and healthy pathway for youth who commit relationship abuse.

If you currently are receiving referrals for youth who are committing relationship abuse or youth who are victims of relationship abuse and would like to be a part of the work group, please contact Ellen Stein Wallace at Ellen@StandUpCO.org.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
CMMTImplementation Committee
The implementation committee is continuing to conduct Community Roundtable Discussions around the state. At the March DVOMB meeting, the Board tasked this committee with the following new priorities:
  • Planning and support for the collection of data for validating the DVRNA
  • Planning and support for ongoing training, technical assistance, and coaching for MTT communication, collaboration, and coordination best practices
Contact Jesse Hansen for more information on how to attend.

Victim Advocacy Committee Meeting
The Victim Advocacy Committee is not currently meeting. This committee took a short break while the Treatment Victim Advocate trainings were being conducted around the state. It is anticipated that this committee will reconvene in the fall to continue its important work. Contact Jesse Hansen for more information on how to attend.

Contact Jesse Hansen for more information on how to attend.

DV Treatment Provider Committee
The DV Treatment Provider Committee is currently working on additional revisions to Section 9.0. These revisions are moving toward a more streamlined process that integrates a competency based approval model. Additionally, this committee will soon be looking at possible revisions to the Second Clinical Contact Position Paper of the Board.
This committee meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. Contact Carolina Thomasson  for more information on how to attend.

Standards Revision Committee
The Standards Revision Committee is currently exploring possible revisions to Section 4.09 regarding the criteria for Approved Providers to identify individuals who are not appropriate for domestic violence offender treatment. The committee reviewed research and literature and administered a survey to gather more information.
This committee meets on the fourth Friday of each month. Contact Jesse Hansen  for more information on how to attend.

Training Committee
This is a combined committee from the Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) and DVOMB staff, and professionals from both fields. The Training Committee has been working on a variety of different training events planned for 2018, including the SOMB Conference held in Breckenridge, CO. While this conference has historically been for SOMB Approved Providers, the 2019 conference will be a combined event showcasing trainings for both DVOMB and SOMB stakeholders.
 
This committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Contact Marina Borysov  for more information on how to attend.

***Note: All DVOMB meetings are open to the public. We encourage you to participate if you have an interest in any of the current projects of the DVOMB.
Trauma Specific Care In Domestic Violence 
Treatment - 
What's Your Approach?
TRAUMAWorking with domestic violence offenders is a challenging profession and it helps to have a network of other professionals to consult with and seek feedback. A growing conversation about how domestic violence offender treatment can incorporate trauma informed care has surfaced and DVOMB Approved Providers are wondering: how do I do this?
 
Jeff Parker, who is a DVOMB Approved Provider and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist, had this very question and is interested in identifying ways to establish guidelines surrounding Trauma Specific Care with domestic violence offenders. Anyone else interested in connecting with other DVOMB Approved Providers and this question are encouraged to contact Jeff directly at tanomcounseling@gmail.com.
The DVOMB staff were also interested in this question. As such, how do you incorporate trauma informed care into domestic violence offender treatment?

Click here to Provide Feedback
 
Quick Practice Tip: Standard 5.08, VI speaks to the option for designing unique competencies that are individualized to an offender. Prior trauma can be added to a treatment plan when clinically indicated through the offender evaluation and identified as an additional core competency that can be met. Additionally, the Second Clinical Contact may be used to address any prior trauma, especially if that prior trauma is a barrier to treatment readiness.
Questions?

303.239.4199

Looking for other training opportunities? 
Check out our training site here.
COMING RIGHT UP COMINGRIGHTUP
MEETINGSDVOMB 2018 Meetings

Do you want to hear what the DVOMB has been up to? Join Board members and staff at the next upcoming monthly DVOMB meeting.
The DVOMB meetings are great ways to learn about current projects, issues, and ways to get involved. It is also a great way to network with other professionals working in the field of domestic violence.
  • July meeting-Cancelled
  • August meeting-August 10, 2018
If you have questions about the Interstate Compact Process and what is required by statute, there will be a presentation by the Interstate Compact Coordinator, Rebecca Frazier. Additionally, one hour of training credits will be given at the meeting for those who attend.

WANT TO ATTEND?
RSVP to Adrienne Corday or call (303) 239-4528.
WHEN:  August 10, 2018 9 30am
WHERE:  Denver Police Protection Association (PPA)
2105 Decatur St.,
Denver, CO 80215.
AGENDA 
POLICY UPDATE
POLICYUPDATESection 9.0 Revisions - Public Comment
 
At the June DVOMB meeting, the Board approved revisions to Section 9.01 through 9.06 of the Standards which govern the requirements that an individual must meet in order to become a listed Approved Provider. These recommendations were formed through the Domestic Violence Treatment Provider Committee with the input of several Approved Providers, Domestic Violence Clinical Supervisors (DVCS), and Board members who are Approved Providers. For over a year, this committee met to review proposed changes, reviewed research, and developed new provisions for the application, supervision, and approval process. The approved revisions in Section 9.0 introduce the use of a new competency-based supervision process that is simple, comprehensive, and flexible to each applicant. Here is a summary of the revisions that were approved by the Board:
  • Applicants will be assessed on clinical and administrative competencies by a Domestic Violence Clinical Supervisor (DVCS). Those who demonstrate greater mastery of competencies based on their experience level, education, and clinical history can move through the application process faster. This process empowers the DVCS to individualize the supervision for each applicant.
  • The number of training and experiential hours required for each level were reduced due to the introduction of the competency-based model. For a comparison of the changes, please click here.
  • A new Pre-Sentence Evaluator Status was created for DVOMB Approved Providers as an additional designation that will be showcased on the DVOMB Approved Provider List. Approved Providers will be required to apply and obtain approval with this status before conducting any pre-sentence evaluations. This status is not required for those who only wish to conduct post-sentence evaluations and does not prevent Approved Providers from completing post-sentence evaluations.
  • New clarifying language was added to the supervision of applicants which must be conducted at least quarterly and may be done conducted via electronic means through video conferencing. All communication are required to be synchronous.
  • DVOMB Approved Providers will be required to attend a Standards Booster training and DVRNA Booster training every two years. More details on these training requirements will be forthcoming.
It is important to note that these revisions are not yet effective as the implementation of Section 9.0 is still to be determined. The Board approved these revisions with the intent of having a planned, purposeful and deliberate implementation process that is flexible.
Public Comment for Section 9.0
The approved revisions are not yet final so you have the opportunity to provide comments to the revisions. The Board is offering all stakeholders the opportunity to comment on these revisions for possible consideration by the Board before final ratification. The DVOMB will be reviewing the public comments at the August Board meeting.
Section 9.0 Revisions - Click Here
Public comments are considered anonymous and confidential and any identifying information will be removed when presented to the Board. The DVOMB is accepting public comments now through August 1st, 2018. Public comments will be presented anonymously to the Board at the August meeting. Please submit your public comments to jesse.hansen@state.co.us or provide feedback anonymously through the survey link here.

Appendix D - Administrative Policies

At the March DVOMB meeting, the Board ratified updates to Appendix D of the Standards. At the February DVOMB meeting, the board deliberated and approved revisions to Appendix D of the Standards which pertains to the Administrative Policies of the DVOMB. In April, these revisions became final after a public comment period. The provisions of this Appendix constitute the regulatory processes of the DVOMB related to applications, listing, denial of placement, complaints, appeals and other administrative actions implemented to determine an individual's compliance with the Standards.
For the new Administrative Policies, click here to view.
PRACTICE CORNER
APPROVEDHow are DVOMB Approved Providers around the state handling offender absences from domestic violence treatment?
_____________________________________
Offender absences are addressed in the Standard 5.05, II, C, 2 in the required offender contract. The offender consents to and acknowledges the provision concerning offender absences which states: "If an offender has more than three absences, the MTT shall consult to determine any needed consequences or modifications to the Treatment Plan. The MTT may require the offender to provide documentation of reasons for absences" (page, 30).

Whether it be finances, lack of transportation, work, etc, offenders have a variety of issues that arise which interfere with their ability or willingness to attend treatment consistently. Understanding that treatment has the best chance of being effective if attendance is consistent, excessive absences may set the client up to fail. The issue of how Standard 5.05, II, C, 2 is being interpreted became apparent after the DVOMB hosted two Community Roundtable Discussions in 2017. Two different jurisdictions had two different interpretations of Standard 5.05, II, C, 2. One used a strict interpretation where three absence policy would trigger an automatic unsuccessful discharge while the other jurisdiction allowed for numerous absences.

To clarify on this, Standard 5.05, II, C, 2 is designed to empower the MTT to make the best possible case management decisions without compromising victim safety. The takeaway here is that a therapeutic intervention that the offender does not experience cannot affect the cognitive or behavioral change intended. In considering barriers and practical issues to treatment, MTTs must balance the need for group consistency and dynamics with individual circumstances. Of importance to this process is communicating issues with the supervising officer and the treatment victim advocate.

A practical example of how offender absences can interfere with treatment is looking at Treatment Plan Review periods. How are Treatment Plan Review periods affected by an offender who has several absences? This poses an issue which is not clearly addressed by the Standards. Consider this hypothetical: A Level B offender has 20 absences throughout treatment and is at the third Treatment Plan Review. Per the Standards, a Level B offender must receive a minimum of three Treatment Plan Review Periods ever 2 and 3 months. Based on this, the offender would have only attended somewhere between 4 to 16 sessions by the third Treatment Plan Review. This example, unfortunately, could be considered a violation of the Standards. If an offender begins accruing more than three absences the MTT is empowered to look at the risk factors, victim safety issues, and overall progress to continue in treatment. A reasonable option would then be to require the client do undergo additional Treatment Plan Reviews in order to achieve the goals of their treatment plan.

Providers around the state have come up with creative and innovative ways to address absences with their clients. Here are a few:

1. Instead of allowing an offender to miss due to financial reasons, one provider tells us they have clients volunteer at a non-profit for 6 hours, and in exchange, the session fee will be waived. This treatment provider tells us this works great as clients will do this for one or two sessions, and then figure out a way to pay for their sessions moving forward. Volunteering can help motivate offenders!

2. One provider shared they offer an individual session as a make-up to a missed group session so long as it is done within that same week. This way, the client can fulfill their required number of contacts that week. Because individual sessions cost more than group sessions, clients tend to use this option initially until it is learned how much more they are spending on their treatment. Afterwards, clients tend to start attending group regularly.

3. Another provider highlighted how effective the use of an attendance contract has been for their clients. The idea is that the contract specifies the Standards and client's current number of absences at a point where the MTT is concerned. The contract offers the client another opportunity to regain compliance with their Domestic Violence treatment with more structure around the consequences if absences continue.

If you have creative ideas approved by your MTT to address absences, please share them with your peer consultants, DV Clinical Supervisors, supervisees, at your task force meetings, etc., in order to help other providers deal with this issue which we all know can cause a lot of headaches.

Thank you for all the work you do as DVOMB Approved Providers. The State of Colorado is better for the services you provide!

- Karen Morgenthaler LCSW, LAC, DVCS

CORE TRAINING
DV102 Offender Evaluation Training
CORETRAININGThis training will give participants the knowledge, skills, and tools for conducting domestic violence offender evaluations in accordance with the DVOMB Standards. After discussing the importance of the offender evaluation as it relates to the development of a comprehensive treatment plan, participants will go through an experiential learning process of developing an offender evaluation from start to finish. This includes how to synthesize and gather all of the necessary information, how to formulate appropriate treatment recommendations and corresponding treatment goals amongst the group. Finally, this training will offer recommendations for reporting, record keeping, and continuity of care procedures.  
Trainers: Carolina Thomasson
CEU: 7 Hours
When: August 15, 2018 8:30am-4:30pm
Where: Community First Foundation
"Innovator" Training Room
5855 Wadsworth Bypass, Unit A
Arvada, CO  80003
Cost: Free
CORE TRAINING
DV101 DVRNA Training
This training provides an overview of different types of risk assessment and the importance of utilizing risk assessment practices in the forensic setting. This discussion will include how to distinguish static and dynamic risk factors and why this is important to assessing offender progress. After a review of the research supporting the Risk, Need, Responsivity Principles, participants will review the scoring manual of the Domestic Violence Offender Risk and Needs Assessment (DVRNA).
Trainers: Mary Ann Avery and Janet Switzer    
CEU: 7 Hours
Where:  Mesa County Human Services
Room 1060
510 29 1/2 Road
Grand Junction CO 81503
When: August 21, 2018 8:30am-4:30pm
Cost: Free
CORE TRAINING
DV200 Community Roundtable Discussion
T he Community Roundtable Discussion (CRD) is to improve collaboration, engagement, and the exchange of feedback between the board and communities statewide in a safe and constructive manner. This event is for treatment providers, supervision officers, treatment victim advocates and other interested professionals to come together and start a dialogue about challenges, opportunities and ways to work together. During the afternoon of this training, additions sessions will be offered on specialized topics.
***Lunch is provided for this event for all attendees.
Trainers: Jesse Hansen   
CEU: 6.5 Hours
Where:  Mesa County Human Services
Room 1060
510 29 1/2 Road
Grand Junction CO 81503
When: August 22, 2018 8:30am-3:30pm
Cost: Free
DVOMB Training Spotlight
TRNSPOTLIGHTTreatment Victim Advocacy from the Authors of Section 7.0 of the Standards

Two experienced domestic violence victim advocates, Brandy Walega, LPC, and Amy Miller, MSW, traveled around the state and conducted three trainings designed specifically for Treatment Victim Advocates (TVAs). Since the adoption of Section 7.0 of the Standards, many TVAs have sought guidance on the best practices in implementing these new requirements. In response, Brandy and Amy used their expertise and knowledge from developing Section 7.0 to design a new training specifically for current and aspiring Domestic Violence TVAs. Topics in the training included an overview of Section 7.0 of the Standards including qualifications, continuing education, dual role relationships, consultation and coordination. The training also provided best practices and techniques for building trust, rapport, and effective partnerships with victims and how TVAs can effectively collaborate with the MTT.

Approximately 35 individuals attended these training events that were held in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction. If you were unable to make any of these trainings, please feel free to visit the DVOMB website for more resources for TVAs. For more information, visit the DVOMB TVA webpage.
SUMMIT