The Michigan Justice for Children Conference

Russell Strand will deliver:
Plenary I: My Journey from Law Enforcement to Victim Advocacy to Prevention … and Beyond: Lessons Learned

Working within the criminal justice system can often be challenging to say least and demoralizing and potentially harmful to say the most. Our individual and collect journeys matter. We don’t have to walk alone – we are literally here to support, guide, and care for each other – regardless of the profession or professions we chose.  Join us for a transformative presentation, where the presenter will share deeply personal stories of abuse and triumph with the goal of inspiring and connecting with attendees on a profound level. This journey, although personal, will encourage attendees to reflect on their own journeys, challenges, triumphs, and hope. Through this presentation, participants will learn to recognize the importance of empathy, compassion, and understanding in victim advocacy, understand the challenges faced in law enforcement investigations, and discover strategies for effective prevention efforts. By the end of the session, attendees will be able to more fully empathize with survivors of abuse, identify key strategies for supporting victims, and develop a deeper understanding of the interconnected roles of law enforcement, advocacy, and prevention in creating safer communities and a better world.

Myra Strand will deliver:
Aiming for Safety: Trauma-Informed Harm Reduction, Risk Assessment and Safety Planning

This workshop will provide advocates and allied professionals with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in trauma-informed and healing- centered: harm reduction, risk assessment, and safety planning.

Emphasizing self-efficacy and self-determination, this training will highlight the importance of an intersectional approach when working with trauma-impacted individuals, paying particular attention to vulnerable and/or rural populations as they experience higher victimization rates.

The presenter will also discuss various risk assessment tools and lethality indicators. She will then help participants to use these tools while working with clients to create a comprehensive plan to navigate and/or reduce harm in potentially dangerous situations.

Participants will learn how to create a tailored safety plan based on the individual needs of each client. There will be a special emphasis on the importance of safe exit planning- as this is a matter of life and death for many.

Russell Strand will deliver:
Comprehensive Integrated Primary Prevention – It’s a Brave New World!

In this presentation, we will delve into the concept of integrated primary prevention of harmful behaviors, with a specific focus on interpersonal violence, sexual assault, and self-harm. We will explore the theoretical foundations and practical applications of this approach within the context of the criminal justice system. We will begin by introducing the Social-Ecological Model (SEM) developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We will examine how the SEM provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the factors that contribute to harmful behaviors, emphasizing the importance of addressing multiple levels of influence, including individual, relationship,community, and societal factors. Next, we will explore the Broken Windows Theory, which proposes that visible signs of disorder and neglect in a community can contribute to an environment that fosters crime and harmful behaviors. We will discuss the implications of this theory for prevention strategies within the criminal justice system and examine how addressing minor infractions and maintaining community order can have a significant impact on reducing more serious crimes.

Click here to register:
https://web.cvent.com/event/84323041-f2f6-45cf-9aca-3e2ca08ed917/summary