April 15, 2015

African American Art + Culture Complex, San Francisco

This full day forum is an opportunity for behavioral health providers, advocates, and others to learn about the unique experiences of underrepresented veterans, and will include seminars on women, LGBT, racial and ethnic minorities, male survivors of military sexual trauma and inter-partner violence, and veterans with less than honorable discharges.

Discussions will create a dialogue on effective services and support, and information and resources for behavioral health providers and legal advocates will be emphasized.

Five (5) Continuing Education Units are available for MFT, LPCC, LEP, and LCSW professionals licensed in California.                                                                                                                                                                            

AGENDA

9:30 – 9:45      Introductions

9:45 – 10:45    Women Veterans

 Amy Fairweather, Institute for Veteran Policy Director at Swords to Plowshares 

Starlyn Lara, Women Veteran Program Manager at Swords to Plowshares, Army Veteran

Presentation on unique treatment considerations, barriers and considerations for access to care, and creating an effective system of care for women veterans.

10:45 – 11:45 Male Veteran Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma and InterPartner Violence

Cacilia Kim, Staff Attorney at Legal Aid Society

 Joseph Rocha, MST Survivor, Marine Active Duty and Navy Veteran

Courtney Valdez, Psychologist at San Francisco Vet Center

Panel presentation on the unique circumstances of military sexual trauma and inter-partner violence among male veteran survivors.      

11:45 – 12:45 Lunch

12:45 – 1:45    LGBT Veterans

Elizabeth Kristen, Director Gender Equity & LGBT Rights Program, Senior Staff  Attorney at Legal Aid Society

Kelly McFarland, Advocate and Navy Veteran

JoAnna Michelle Michaels, Advocate and Air Force Veteran

Panel presentation on issues and experiences of LGBT veterans, as well as the effects and repeal of ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ and barriers to formal equality in the military.

1:45 - 2:45       Racial and Ethnic Minority Veterans

Dottie Guy, Outreach Coordinator at Oakland Vet Center, Army Veteran

Eli PaintedCrow, Indigenous Woman Army Veteran

Mirtha Villareal-Younger, Deputy Secretary, Minority Veterans Division, CA Department of Veteran Affairs        

Panel presentation on common issues and experiences of racial and ethnic minority veterans, with special attention to African American and Native American veterans.

2:45 – 3:00      Break

3:00 - 3:45       Bad Paper Veterans

Bradford Adams, Staff Attorney at Swords to Plowshares

David Joseph, Psychologist at Oakland Vet Center

Panel presentation on the circumstances and consequences of receiving a less than honorable discharge from the military, including barriers to care for military service-related conditions.

­3:45 – 4:00      Close + Evaluation

Register Now!