ZAP Conference 2018

Abuse, Trauma-Informed Care, and the Legal System 

September 28, 2018

The Zero Abuse Project and Mitchell Hamline School of Law invite you to their first annual conference exploring best practices in trauma-informed care.  Join fellow attorneys, advocates, social workers, and clinicians for a day of learning, networking and collaboration as we explore: Trauma and healing across the life-span, building trauma-informed relationships, creating trauma-informed organizations and implementing trauma-informed community services.

We are pleased to host renowned expert Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D., adjunct professor at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. Recently featured on 60 Minutes, Dr. Perry is also the Senior Fellow of the not-for-profit organization, ChildTrauma Acadamy, and co-author of the best-selling books, "The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog" and "Born for Love: Why Empathy is Essential- and Endangered."

Event Schedule

8:30 am:  Welcome

8:45-9:15: From Trauma to Thriving, Tyler Reitzner, MN Trauma Project

9:15-11:15:  Keynote Presentation

Impact of Trauma on the Developing Child: Implications for Children in the Child Protection System, Dr. Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D

The development of a young child is profoundly influenced by experience. Experiences – good and bad - shape the organization of the brain. The ultimate effect is to impact emotional, social, cognitive and physiological functioning.  Insights into this process come from understanding brain development. Both trauma and neglect, the absence of essential developmental experiences required to express a fundamental potential of a child, are pervasive problems in our culture. Chaos, threat and abnormal patterns of emotional, social, cognitive and physical interactions with young children lead to an array of brain-related problems. This presentation will review clinical work and research that can help us better understand developmental trauma, neglect and the relational problems that arise from neglect and threat.  An overview will be provided that suggests new directions for clinical practice, program development and policy with a specific focus on children in the child protection system.

11:30-12:30: Panel Discussion

A Multi-Discplinary Perspective on Providing Trauma-Informed Services: Patsy Sellers, Casey Family Services, Dr. Jennifer Waltman, Native American Community Clinic, Margaret Volz, PNP, University of Minnesota, Shannon Smith, ICWA Law Center

12:30-1:45 pm: Plated Lunch (included in registration fee)

1:45-2:45pm: Breakout Session A

Legal Track

A1. Cyclical Trauma in the Child Welfare System: Justice Anne McKeig, Minnesota Supreme Court and Professor Joanna Woolman, Mitchell Hamline School of Law

A2. Professional Responsibility: Ethical Implications fo Representing Clients who have Survived Trauma: TBD

Clincal Track

A3. Trauma Across the Lifespan: Samuel Simmons, Samuel Simmons Consulting

A4. Building Trauma-Effective 1:1 Therapeutic relationships: Dr. Ryan Van Wyk, North Memorial Health

Community Track

A5. The Role of Faith Leaders in the Healing Process: TBD

A6. Implementing Trauma-Effective Community Services: Amelia Franck Meyer, Alia Innovations

3:00-4:00: Breakout Session B

Legal Track

B1. Vicarious Trauma and Self-Care in the Legal Profession: Pete Singer, Care in Action MN

B2. A Trauma Informed Courtroom: Victor Vieth, Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center

Clinical Track

B3.  Peer and Organizational Support for Self-Care in High Trauma Settings: Eva Solomonson, School of Social Work, University of St. Thomas, Dr. Jean Choe, Center for Victims of Torture

B4. Stuck in the Middle With You: Providing Ethical and Effective Therapy for Clients Who are Court Involved: Miriam Itzkowitz, MSW, LICSW, IS Counselling LLC, University of St. Thomas, University of St. Catherine's

Community Track

B5. Using Media Exposure as a Healing Method: Jeff Anderson, Jeff Anderson and Associates and Joelle Casteix, author, speaker, advocate, The Worthy Adversary

B6. Implementing Trauma-Informed School-Based Services:  Dan Nadicz, ISD 916, Maria Hartwell, Paladin Career Tech

4:00-6:30pm: Networking Reception: Hosted by Jeff Anderson and Associates

Continuing Education Credits

CLE credits: 5.5 applied for, 1.0 ethics credit for sesion A2. 

CEU: Applied for