Domestic Violence Offender Management Board Newsletter! Quarterly Minute

Domestic Violence Offender Management Board

QUARTERLY MINUTE

May 2020

In this issue:

Message from the DVOMB Chair
COVID-19 Update
DVOMB Meeting
Ask the Board
Policy Update
Practice Corner
Research Corner
Committee Updates

Upcoming DVOMB Meetings

May Board Meeting

In light of COVID-19 and the orders by the Governor, the DVOMB will meet virtually for the month of May. If you have not had the pleasure of attending a DVOMB meeting, this is your chance to observe, comment, and learn more about the Board without putting miles on your car. This month the DVOMB will feature a training by Board members and staff on the lessons-learned from the use of Teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. A one hour training credit will be offered for those who attend this portion of the agenda..

What – Agenda

When – May 8, 2020

Time – 8:30AM* – 1:15PM

Where – Online Via WebEx

NOTE: New Start Time

Approved Board Minutes

January Minutes – Click Here

February Minutes – Click Here

Message from the DVOMB Chair, Nancy Olson

There is a definition for patience that describes it as “ a minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue .” Well, we’re all learning to be patient these days, right? Patient with standing exactly on the green mark in COSTCO checkout lines; patient with Zoom as a substitute for Actual Happy Hour with friends; and even patient with having to ask for variances from ARC.

I have just one thing to say to all of you on this subject: THANK YOU!! Thank you to DV Treatment Providers and all MTT members for your commitment to this hard work which is extra-hard these days. Thank you to Board members for attending and even paying attention during the technology-facilitated meetings even though there’s (allegedly) research that says it’s bad for our health. Thank you to the staff for making WebEx work so well even when Board members can’t quite figure out what they’re doing. Thank you for understanding why the Annual Conference can’t happen this year and for promising to attend next year (you did promise that, right?).

One more thing: Drop what you’re doing right now and listen to Alicia Keys’ song “Good Job” on Youtube. That’s my message to all of you.

Sincerely,

Nancy Olson, Chair DVOMB

Representing Victim Services and Victim Organizations

Project Safeguard

DVOMB Updates and Guidance in Response to COVID-19

On March 13th, 2020, the DVOMB did the unthinkable; it granted Approved Providers the ability to apply for an expedited variance in order to provide evaluation and treatment services via Teletherapy which includes web-based therapy. Since that time, the DVOMB processed 134 variances. A year ago, this would have been considered unthinkable as electronic modalities of treatment are prohibited by Appendix I of the Standards. The threat and spread of the COVID-19 has forced all of us to adapt and improvise to this unprecedented situation.

The DVOMB updated this guidance on April 14th and Providers who are approved to do Teletherapy may continue conducting evaluation and treatment services under the expedited variance until June 1, 2020 or until further notice. Providers who need to extend their variance beyond the extension date will need to contact the DVOMB staff to receive approval. The variance is not mandatory and is optional to Approved Providers if it is believed that the in-person requirement will place clients and staff at considerable risk. If you have not submitted a variance, you can still do so.

In an effort to clarify any questions or confusion, the Board Staff has been hosting weekly webinars. The SOMB and DVOMB staff will now offer these webinars on a monthly basis so long as there is an interest and a need. Our goal is to provide resources to the approved treatment provider field on conducting Web-based Therapy or Teletherapy, appropriate platforms, Releases of Information and Disclosures Agreements. In addition to providing information, we will also conduct a Question and Answer session. Below are resources for stakeholders to use at their discretion.

Resources: Information Resources for Approved Providers Using Teletherapy or E-Therapy in Response to COVID-19

Ask the Board

Do you have a questions about the DVOMB Standards, but not sure whom to ask or where to go? Send a question to the DVOMB staff and we will select a question and answer it in the next Quarterly Minute. Your questions are important to us! Click Here to submit a question.

Q: I have seen a few programs that offer court approved online classes for domestic violence. These programs advertise themselves as being approved in counties across Colorado and throughout the United States? Are these online and self-paced classes approved by the DVOMB and an appropriate intervention in light of COVID-19

No, and the DVOMB cannot emphasize this, NO enough. Pursuant to 16-11.8-104, (1), C.R.S., only those individuals whose name appears on the DVOMB Approved Provider List (click here to access the link) are allowed to provide services to domestic violence offenders in Colorado. These online classes have advertised themselves as being Colorado Approved, when this is not in fact true. These online classes (1) do NOT meet the statutory requirements; (2) they fail to meet DVOMB Standards; and (3) jeopardize victim safety. The Colorado Attorney General’s Office has issued cease and desist letters in the past, but it is important for Approved Providers, Probation and Parole be aware of these inappropriate practices.

If a client is asking to attend these online classes in lieu of treatment with a DVOMB Approved Provider, it is important for the client to know that this will not satisfy the court order. This information is also useful for the courts to be aware of as these classes are sometimes ordered as part of the court order.

Policy Update

Amendment to Section 4.0 – Offender Evaluations

At the March 2020 Board meeting, the DVOMB made a minor amendment to the previously approved revisions to Section 4.0. This change involved removing the requirement for Entry Level Approved Providers to move-up to Full Operating Level after two years. With this change, there is no requirement for Entry Level Approved Providers to move-up to Full Operating Level. As a reminder, these changes to Section 4.0 become effective on July 1st, 2020.

Research Corner

Protective Factors Minimize the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences that Can Lead to Future Adolescent Interpersonal Violence

Recent research has indicated that having a history of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can have a significant impact, and lead to multiple negative outcomes including various forms of interpersonal violence (domestic violence and sex offenses). As a result, practitioners with adolescents have begun to incorporate trauma-informed care into the work they do. A recent article by David and colleagues (2019) suggests that the presence of protective factors during middle school (e.g., empathy, social support, parental monitoring, school belonging, and academic achievement) can decrease the likelihood that experiencing ACEs can lead to teen dating violence in high school.

Protective factors have become an area of focus for practitioners in attempting to prevent and/or reduce the likelihood of recurrence for interpersonal violence. This article may be helpful in determining where public health and clinical intervention focus can occur. Protective factors can be developed through treatment and have tangible benefits for the youth, potential victims, and the community at large. For more information, see David, J.P., Ports, K.A., Basile, K.C., Espelage, D.L., & David-Ferdon, C.F. (2019). Understanding the Buffering Effects of Protective Factors on the Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Teen Dating Violence Perpetration. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 48:2343-2359.

Standards Revision Committee Literature Review by Elliot Moen, DVOMB Staff Researcher

FREE GIFR Membership

Limited time offer: May 31, 2020

Due to social distancing and shelter in place orders NAPN have postponed this year's NAPN/OASOTN joint conference. In effort to support NAPN members, NAPN in collaboration with GIFR (Global Institute of Forensic Research) has arranged access for you to an online FREE GIFR membership until May 31st, 2020. This includes access to over 400 hours of online learning for CE credits.

Click Here to sign up today

2020 DVSOMB Conference is Cancelled

You have probably heard the news by now. Every year we look forward to hosting nearly 500 professionals working in the field of domestic violence and sex offender management. We strive to provide a variety of educational sessions, outstanding keynote speakers, time for self-care and multiple opportunities for our stakeholders to connect and network. Unfortunately, this year’s health crisis related to COVID-19 pandemic created a different path for all of us for the coming months. It is with great sadness that we have made the decision to cancel our annual conference planned for this July in Breckenridge. The health and well-being of our attendees is our first and foremost priority. Through your feedback from the survey we have sent out, we realize some of you might be seeking training hours and our office is diligently working on a plan to meet your training needs for 2020.

Please know that our staff is here to support you and are always available to address questions, concerns, and provide technical assistance. At any time, please feel free to reach out to our office.

If you have any specific questions regarding the conference, please reach out Marina Borysov directly.

Application Review Committee Updates

The Application Review Committee (ARC) has been busy! On January 1st, 2020, the changes to Section 9.0 of the Standards went into full effect. While the number of required hours for co-facilitation and training were reduced by half, there is now an assessment of the applicant’s competencies for working in this field. There has been a surge in application submissions since January, particularly by master’s level clinicians, and clinicians already holding other licenses or certifications. At this time, there have been over thirty Intent to Apply applications approved by the ARC, which means that applicants and supervisors are busy completing the requirements of applications.

All applications are in electronic form now and are very easy to fill out! The applications do include some attestations to new language in the Standards, so please make sure you review and understand them in order to be fully informed! It is recommended that applications be emailed directly to carolina.thomasson@state.co.us , especially during this time when staff are working out of the office. If you do submit your application by regular mail, please notify Carolina and know that your application may be delayed. Your payment must still be mailed in or dropped off at 700 Kipling St. Lakewood, CO 80215. ARC typically meets the second Thursday of the month. To be considered at the ARC meeting, applications are often due two Mondays before the ARC meeting.

Lastly, are you looking for DV work? Are you looking to hire a DV Approved Provider? Are you taking trainees at the moment? Current job listings can be posted at the bottom of the DVOMB website for applications ( click here). If you would like a position posted in this area, simply send a job announcement to the DVOMB Staff and after review it will be placed in this section for 60 days, or until you notify the office that your position has been filled.