After the Thrill is Gone:  Finding New Energy in existing Teams

Communities have been establishing multidisciplinary investigative teams for many years and much is known about how to start new teams. Discover ways to maintain the vitality of teams over the long run and years after the founding team members have moved on.  Learn strategies for breathing new life into long established teams and passing the vision from one generation of team members to the next. Many ideas contained in the session are drawn from a think tank involving 45 California counties, then further developed with input from team members across the country.

Policy 101: Becoming a More Effective Advocate

This pre conference workshop introduces the basics of policy advocacy and provides an overview of legislative nuts and bolts, with the emphasis on the New Mexico state legislature. In addition participants learn and practice their skills in a fun and interactive setting. This workshop assists participants to become more effective advocates at federal, state, local and tribal levels.

Expert Panel on Victim Standing

A panel of experts defines and discusses the issues of victim standing and rights to address the Courts in criminal cases.  The panel discusses the standing of victims to be heard in such cases – risks and benefits of methods to enforce those rights or to attempt to intervene legally in the judicial process.

Elder Abuse - a misunderstood crime?

Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood, who has been prosecuting physical and financial felony elder abuse criminal cases for the past 12 years, shares his top ten misconceptions surrounding the investigation and prosecution of elder abuse cases. He examines some of the reasons why traditionally such cases have been labeled as "civil" in nature and offers solutions to overcoming barriers to successful prosecution. The presentation is illustrated with case studies and offers evidence to suggest that elder abuse is one of the fastest growing crimes in New Mexico and beyond.

Orders of Protection form A to Z, Part I

Part one of this workshop focuses on the basics of understanding Orders of Protection, the procedures and criteria for obtaining these Orders and the challenges faced by the Courts in both issuance and enforcement.  It also covers Full Faith and Credit issues and challenges.

Healing thru Art

This presentation explores art as a medium, and a means of healing. Participants go through the process of making art even though they may not be professional artists. They experience the work as they come to an understanding that the messages are far more than the application of paint to canvas.

Financial Elder Abuse - An Overview of How We Must Respond to The Growing Problem of Victimization of Our Seniors for Financial Gain 

Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood builds on the foundations laid in his keynote address by exploring the techniques of investigating and prosecuting elder financial abuse cases. He offers tips on helping seniors to reduce the risk of becoming the next victim of financial exploitation and provides suggestions for converting criminal investigations into aggressive prosecutions. The presentation explores various forms of financial exploitation and deals with such issues as capacity, consent and undue influence. Also provided are examples of successful elder financial abuse prosecutions and recommends practical steps to increase awareness and education of the public and law enforcement in combating this escalating crime.

Advocating for Battered Women with Substance Abuse Issues, Part I

This session discusses the links between domestic violence and substance abuse and identifies three risks when both domestic violence and substance abuse co-occur. Ms. Bland also presents concerns of battered women with substance use issues.

VAWA 2005 & Immigrants' Considerations

This workshop, vital to those working with immigrant populations, discusses the changes and ramifications of 2005 VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) on immigrant victims experiencing domestic violence. Also provided is information on benefits and essential services for victims.

Orders of Protection from A to Z, Part II

A multidisciplinary panel, consisting of Hearing Officers, a service provider, a member of law enforcement and a tribal prosecutor, discusses compliance with and enforcement of Orders of Protection in New Mexico from their perspectives and in their respective roles. They also offer perspectives on best practice models and how to improve enforcement of orders of protection by building partnerships.

Advocating for Battered Women with Substance Abuse Issues, Part II

Continued from Part I, Ms. Bland describes practical tools to utilize when both domestic violence and substance abuse co-occur. She explores safety as a sobriety issue and discusses additional resources needed.

The Adam Walsh Act

The Adam Walsh Act creates stricter requirements for sex offender registration, to prevent offenders from slipping through the cracks and hurting children. This session provides an overview of the Act and describes the impacts of the Adam Walsh Act on New Mexico tribal justice systems.

Treatment Strategies For Adolescents

This presentation shows a structured approach to group or individual treatment of chronic trauma in adolescent. This approach addresses a range of Complex PTSD symptoms by examining how adolescent’s current lives are impacted by difficulties with modulating affect, impulsivity, attention, concentration, dissociation, problematic relationships, somatic complaints, as well as problems of shame, self hatred and hopelessness.  The broad goals of treatment are to help youths practice the four “C’s:”: Cultivate awareness, Cope more effectively, Connect with others and Create meaning.

Medicaid/Medicare Fraud

This session provides an overview of elder abuse, Medicaid fraud prevention activities and prosecutions undertaken by the New Mexico Attorney General's Office.

The Lois Fraley Story

Ms. Fraley was held hostage by two Arizona inmates for fifteen days, the longest prison hostage siege in United States history. Her story is one of desperations to inspiration. Her message is inspiring, uplifting, and at times humorous regarding how she overcame her ordeal.

FLA Four Legged Advocates, Inc.

The need for victim services is constantly growing. FLA Four Legged Advocates, Inc. (FLA FLA) helps. FLA FLA is a charitable organization using an innovative method of victim assistance coordinators with canine partners providing assistance to victims of sexual assault and other crimes. Andrea Lockhart explains the program and discusses the benfits of human and animal interactions.

My Story as a DWI Victim

Ms. Lucero presents her own personal story on losing a loved one in a DWI crash. She shares her journey from surviving to becoming an outspoken advocate against DWI through reaching out to others.

Implementing Community-Based Standards for Addressing Sexual Harm by Youth

This presentation provides a structured framework for implementing empirically driven standards for community intervention with youth who have caused sexual harm and their families.

Understanding Traumatized Adolescents

Adolescents are victims of crime more than any other age group and are twice as likely to be victims of a wide range of traumatic events than are younger children.  Recent research in psychology and neurobiology has demonstrated that adolescents are uniquely vulnerable to the impact of trauma yet are also at a young enough age that early intervention can prevent these negative effects from permanently derailing their prospects for leading a healthy and productive adult life. The presentation focuses on practical strategies for assessing the impact of trauma on adolescents and provides a brief overview on approaches to intervention that have proven helpful in work with this underserved population.

Backlash: The New Mexico Judiciary's Response to Stepped-Up Prosecution of DWI, Rape, Domestic Abuse and Child Abuse Cases

This session familarizes attendees with new barriers erected in the past several years to the prosecution of certain classes of crimes in New Mexico. It will also focus on the victim's experience within the criminal justice system.

The Lois Fraley Story

The presenter shares her agonizing and intense moments of emotional and physical abuse while being held hostage for fifteen days in an Arizona Correctional Facility. She also discusses the unforgettable experience and valuable lessons learned on how to overcome and survive a hostage situation.

The Four Legged Advocate

Continued for her keynote presentation, Ms. Lockhart further explains the Four Legged Advocates, Inc. program and the benefits of human and animal interactions. She assists attendees evaluate their programs for canine partner and how to implement a canine partner into their programs.

Children Exposed to Domestic Violence

Children exposed to marital violence are at risk for a variety of psychological and social difficulties. During this presentation a review of the literature on child witnesses of domestic violence is presented, followed by specific strategies and guidelines for the assessment and treatment of this at-risk population.

Recognizing Child Sexual Abuse

Dr. Ornelas presents societal norms and care-taking activities and their role in child sexual abuse. Aspects of child sexual abuse related to disclosure, behavioral and physical indicators are discussed. Participants are advised as to their role in reporting child sexual abuse.

Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is a crime that is growing. Do you know how to recognize it? This session discusses the dynamics of elder abuse while identifying at least four areas of elder abuse.

When Your Hands Tied

“When Your Hands Are Tied” is an inspiring educational film that explores the unique ways in which young native peoipe are finding to express themselves in the contemporary world while maintaining strong traditional lives.

Youth Who Commit Acts Of Sexual Harm Are NOT The Same As Adult Sex Offenders

This presentation provides empirical evidence about significant differences between youth who have committed acts of sexual harm and adult sex offenders, and how such youth should be optimally evaluated and treated.

Best Practices In Stalking Investigations

This workshop is a review of the comprehensive work by a committee to establish a guide to encourage best stalking investigation practices in New Mexico. This guide has been approved by the New Mexico Sheriff and Police Association.

Family Advocacy Center and Pet Adoptions

This keynote session provides an update on the progress of the Albuquerque Family Advocacy Center that opened in October 2007. The center combines emergency medical staff, victim advocates, legal and financial assistance along with law enforcement and prosecution in a unique system designed to dramatically decrease the stress and trauma placed on victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault. Mayor Chávez has been a strong advocate for a live-exit animal shelter system in Albuquerque. We are grateful to him for bringing adoptable dogs and cats to AIA that have been spayed/ neutered, vaccinated and micro chipped, resulting no adoption fees for our conference participants.

The Role New Mexico's Immigrant Friendly Policies Play in Protecting Victims of Crime 

In New Mexico, victims' advocates and law-enforcement officials have played a vital role in the promotion of policies that help to protect all victims of violent crime, regardless of immigration status. This presentation explores the chilling effect that current anti-immigrant sentiment and policies nationwide, including raids conducted by federal immigration officials resulting in large-scale separation of families, is having on victims, providers, and our community as a whole and if the current climate truly reflects our values as a community. Also discussed is the unique role that victims' advocates and providers in New Mexico can play towards finding a solution.

Investigating Non-Stranger Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault in New Mexico:  Training Video

Date rape drugs complicate law enforcement's response to a sexual assault. Participants will view a video which depicts a date rape scenario and highlights investigative strategies, interviewing techniques, and resources to assist law enforcement response to drug facilitated sexual assault.

BREAK / Animals in Action

CLICK HERE for a description of Animals in Action

Men's Responsibilty issues

This presentation addresses men and their responsibility to examine their own behavior and how that can influence and impact their partners, children, and families.

Victims’ Rights in New Mexico: The Fight Goes On!

This keynote updates attendees on the legal and political battles over the assertion and protection of the constitutional and statutory rights of victims of crime. The presentation provides data, case law, and the personal experiences of victims from the past year in a manner that demonstrates both the value of victims’ rights and the terrible re-victimizations that are possible when those basic rights are ignored or violated. Looking at both statewide and national trends, the presentation reviews the progress and defeats in the national victims’ rights movement. Attendees also learn about the continued resistance to victims’ rights by attorneys and judges and that change is possible and achievable using the legal protections already available to victims in New Mexico law.