Program Details

2023 Statewide Domestic Violence Annual Virtual Conference

Building Together, Moving Forward

April 26, 2023

Recordings available to Collab Portal Accounts - Create an Account

Welcome  9:30 AM – 10:15 AM EST PDF

Director of the Office of Domestic Violence, Zuleika Gonzalez-Felton

President and CEO of Women In Distress, Linda L. Parker, Ph.D., and

CEO of Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence, Amanda Price

Session 1 Workshops 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM EST

Community-Researcher Partnerships: Working Together to Address Domestic Violence View Recording

Presenters: Bethany Backes, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice & Social Work, University of Central Florida;  Alison Cares, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Central Florida;  Erica Fissel, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, University of Central Florida; Alondra D. Garza, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, University of Central Florida;  Jana Jasinski, Ph.D. Pegasus Professor of Sociology, University of Central Florida; Elizabeth Mustaine, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology, University of Central Florida; Julia O’Connor, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Social Work,  University of Central Florida; Amy Reckdenwald, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Central Florida; Karina Villalba, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Population Health, University of Central Florida; Jacqueline Woerner, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Sociology & Psychology, University of Central Florida; Kayla Toohy, Ph.D. Post Doctoral Research Associate, Violence Against Women Cluster, University of Central Florida

Description:  Evidence-based practices informed by research can improve community, advocacy, and criminal justice responses to domestic violence. Developing evidence-based practices can be accomplished through successful community-researcher partnerships. The University of Central Florida‘s Violence Against Women Cluster (VAWC) will highlight the importance of community-researcher partnerships. Attendees will be introduced to the areas of expertise of VAWC researchers, as well as discuss current and previous work with community agencies, and the benefits of partnerships for domestic violence practitioners. Continuing Education: LCSW, MFT, and LMHC, Continuing Mediation Education approved

Confidentiality and Privilege for Survivors

Presenters: Kristina Lawrence and Leo Vera, FLDVC Statewide Legal Services Managing Attorneys

Description:  After attending this training, attendees will have a better understanding of confidentiality and privilege laws that govern Certified Domestic Violence Center personnel and records; attendees will also gain insight on how to handle subpoenas for testimony and records and how to prepare in advance for testimony in a court proceeding. Continuing Education: CJE, CLE, LCSW, MFT, and LMHC, Continuing Mediation Education approved

Disability and Abuse: An Introduction View Recording

Presenter: Deborah Dietz, Executive Director, Disability Independence Group, Inc.

Description:  Starting with an overview of disability rights and the disability rights movement, disability etiquette and the unique barriers and challenges that people with disability face and how this can lead to abuse, attendees will be given tips and suggestions on how to work with a victim/survivor with a disability and examples of common accommodations that may be requested. Continuing Education: n/a

Listening and Learning With Young People The Impact of DV View Recording

Panel Moderated by: Morgan Macholeth, Prevention Specialist, Office of Domestic Violence, Florida Department of Children and Families

Presenters: Dr. Anne E. Hogan, Ph.D.; Family Study Center, USF-St. Petersburg Campus, Erica Yamaguchi, Training and Education Manager, Alliance for HOPE Intl., Camp HOPE America, The Duval LIGHTs (Leaders Igniting a Group of Healthy Teens)

Description:  Domestic violence has an impact on people of all ages. In this panel discussion, experts will share the unique perspectives of children, teenagers, and adults. Panelists will provide insights into effective responses to domestic violence as well as prevention efforts across the lifespan. Continuing Education: n/a

OSCA and the Courts: Working Together to Help Improve the Judicial Response to Domestic Violence View Recording

Presenters: Candria Morgan, Court Operations Consultant with the Office of the State Courts Administrator; George L. Roberts, Information Systems Consultant with the Office of the State Courts Administrator; Kathleen Tailer, Operations Manager with the Office of the State Courts Administrator; Maggie Lewis,  Senior Court Operations Consultant with the Office of the State Courts Administrator

Description:  With the knowledge of Florida Domestic Violence Court Information System (FDVCIS), the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and the OSCA website systems, the survivor experience within the judicial system can be improved. Attendees will learn how FDVCIS allows the user to search for civil interpersonal violence injunctions statewide, search by case number, participant or docket. The site uses an algorithm called fuzzy matching, to link any cases that contain the same parties. Attendees will also learn the many training options of the OSCA site and the power of DIY from the DIY Florida site. Continuing Education: n/a

Session 2 Workshops 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM EST

DV Injunctions: A View from the Bench

Presenter: Honorable Mary Evans, Unified Family Court Judge, 20th Judicial Circuit, Charlotte County

Description:  Anyone working with survivors of Domestic Violence should be educated on the five types of civil injunctions available as well as what it takes to meet statutory criteria for entry of one. This presentation will differentiate a Civil Injunction from a No Contact Order in a criminal case using actual petition examples for injunction for protection. Attendees will also learn through this presentation what to expect in Domestic Violence court and be given tips on how to present one’s case. Continuing Education: CLE, CJE, LCSW, MFT, and LMHC, Continuing Mediation Education approved

It’s Not Just About the Elder: Intergenerational Effects of Elder Abuse View Recording

Presenters: Linda Fieldstone, M.Ed. Co-Chairs Elder Justice Initiative on Eldercaring Coordination and Sue Bronson, LCSW, Co-Chairs Elder Justice Initiative on Eldercaring Coordination

Description:  Families do not age out of conflict; as they grow older, they may become more adept at perpetuating their discord, placing vulnerable older adults right in the middle of family feuds. Building on the knowledge of how family conflict may jeopardize the health and safety of older adults, attendees will learn how they can strengthen their effectiveness as professionals by stopping the cycle of elder abuse for the benefit of older adults and all the generations in the family. Continuing Education: CJE, LCSW, MFT, and LMHC, Continuing Mediation Education approved

Tools to Effectively Work with and Support People with Disabilities View Recording

Presenter: Deborah Dietz, Executive Director, Disability Independence Group, Inc.

Description:  Disability Independence Group shares developed resources created as a response to help domestic violence survivors with disabilities. Attendees will learn about a power and control wheel focused on the Deaf population; people with developmental disabilities and their caregivers; animal abuse and domestic violence; and, the Courthouse Guide, which assists survivors to understand the protection order process in a simplified language and uses visuals to explain this complicated process. Continuing Education: n/a

Without a Face: Building Rapport with Survivors over Telecommunications View Recording

Presenter: Andrene Baxter, Florida Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline Training and Technical Assistance Specialist, Florida Domestic Violence Collaborative/ Women in Distress

Description:  Attendees will learn how to engage survivors over different forms of telecommunications including telephone, text, and chat. These forms of communication are the most commonly used by domestic violence centers to increase accessibility, safety, and confidentiality with survivors. From a trauma-informed and survivor-centered lens, participants will learn best practices in engaging, speaking, and building rapport with survivors to further assist and safety plan with them. Continuing Education: LCSW, MFT, and LMHC, Continuing Mediation Education approved

Plenary Session 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM EST

The Culture of We

Moderator: Florida Department of Children and Families

  • Amanda Price, CEO, Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence

  • Subhash Kateel, Florida State Director, Alliance for Safety and Justice

  • Dawn Murray, Director of Partnerships and Prevention, Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency

  • Rev. JR Thicklin, CEO, Destiny by Choice, Inc.

  • Katie Campbell, Director of Collaboration & Outreach, Red Rover

  • Sheriff Rambosk, Collier County

Session 3 Workshops 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM EST

Journey of a DV Survivor in Need of Legal Assistance View Recording

Presenter: Max Caraballo, Immigration Law & Human Rights Services of Max Caraballo

Description:  Using real scenarios that Domestic Violence Advocates and Law Enforcement may encounter and possible resolutions, attendees will examine the challenges of Immigrant Domestic Violence Survivors and their children. The workshop will explore the immigration processes, the power dynamic experienced by immigrant survivors; Congress-enacted Acts protecting Immigrant survivors including a general overview of VAWA and INA; and review the general knowledge of immigrant survivors’ rights. Continuing Education: CLE, CJE, LCSW, MFT, and LMHC, Continuing Mediation Education approved

DV and Serving People with Disabilities:  Working together to help improve Florida’s Response to DV View Recording

Presenter: Kathleen Tailer, J.D. Operations Manager with the Office of the State Courts Administrator

Description:  After providing an overview of the various barriers to accessing domestic violence services for victims who have disabilities and how this is relevant to judges and the judicial proceedings, attendees will learn how to have inclusive practices for persons with disabilities and comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Attendees will learn how to assure that a person with a disability has a positive experience when interacting with the court system by addressing access barriers and having effective communication, and better understanding of the Accommodation Request Process. Continuing Education: CLE, CJE, LCSW, MFT, and LMHC, Continuing Mediation Education approved

While You’re Taking Care of Them Who’s Taking Care of You: Increasing Advocacy and Support Without Neglecting Ourselves View Recording

Presenters: Dr. LaDonna Butler, Florida Statewide Domestic Violence Training and Technical Assistance Specialist, Florida Domestic Violence Collaborative/ Community Action Stops Abuse Pinellas, Inc.

Description:  Understanding the underlying effects of domestic violence on the lifestyle of survivors and their families, attendees will learn specific ways to make the process of support smoother for clients and multiple ways to advocate. At the heart of this discussion is the fundamental foundation for attendees to build tools and resources as they learn the importance of self-care and collective care when working with difficult cases and specific ways to heal and practice self-care. Continuing Education: n/a

Welcoming the Stranger at the Door: Responding to Survivors of Sexual Violence Across the Lifespan View Recording

Presenters: Robin Graber, Director of Programs, Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, and Jennifer L. Dritt, Executive Director, of Florida Council Against Sexual Violence

Description:  While sexual violence survivors and domestic violence survivors face similar challenges, the “sexual” in sexual violence creates additional barriers. Through discussion around these barriers, Advocates will learn how to provide support, crisis intervention, and a warm, skillful referral to the appropriately certified rape crisis center. Attendees will also learn how to screen domestic violence survivors for sexual violence within their relationships in a trauma-informed manner. Continuing Education: CJE, LCSW, MFT, and LMHC, Continuing Mediation Education approved

Closing Session 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM EST

Director of the Office of Domestic Violence, Zuleika Gonzalez-Felton

President and CEO of Women In Distress, Linda L. Parker, Ph.D., and

CEO of Florida Partnership to End Domestic Violence, Amanda Price