Agenda
Juvenile Law Training Academy
October 18–19, 2021
Online via Zoom
Monday, October 18, 12:30–4:50 p.m.
Tuesday, October 19, 1:00–4:45 p.m.
Speakers, presentations and times subject to change.
Monday, October 18
Norah Van Dusen, Portland
12:30 / Family First: ODHS’s Vision for Transformation
Rebecca Jones Gaston, Child Welfare Director, Oregon Department of Human Services, Salem
Aprille Flint-Gerner — Deputy Director, Workforce Development and Equity, Oregon Department of Human Services, Salem
What will implementation of Oregon’s Family First/Family Preservation plan entail? ODHS will present the approach to family preservation being undertaken with community, providers, and people with lived experience.
1:00 / Writing for Impact
Joan Rocklin, Clinical Professor, University of Oregon School of Law, Eugene
This presentation, by Professor Joan Rocklin of the UO School of Law, will review techniques you can use to make your written arguments more clear, more compelling, and more helpful to a judge.
1:45 / Break
1:55 / Ethics & Parent Competency in Dependency Cases (ethics credit)
Kristin Ward, Asst. Attorney General, Child Advocacy Section, Oregon Department of Justice
Elizabeth Wakefield, Metropolitan Public Defender, Parent Child Advocacy Division, Portland
This presentation will offer both defender and state perspectives covering parents, youth and children in this broad area of practice. Panelists will cover the range of considerations when working with clients who present with diminished capacity including maintaining the client-lawyer relationship; assessing decision-making capacity and considering options such as protective action. The laws and procedures of requesting and removing a Guardian Ad Litem will be covered.
2:55 / Break
3:00 / Understanding the Role of CASAs
Jenna App, Director, Oregon CASA Network, Salem
Mamadou Touré, Program Manager, CASA for Children, Washington County
A look at the training, authority and legal role of CASA volunteers, National CASA minimum requirements, best interest advocacy, confidentiality rules, commonalities and differences in the 22 CASA programs across Oregon, and the crucial, ongoing and statutorily required mandate of diversity, equity, inclusion and accountability.
3:45 / Break
3:50 Appellate Update
Shannon Flowers, Office of Public Defense Services Parent Child Representation Program, Salem
Inge Wells, Sr. Assistant Attorney General, Oregon Department of Justice Appellate Division, Salem
Don’t miss the ever popular Appellate Update! Gain perspectives of the year’s important decisions, brought to you by Shannon Flowers of OPDS and Erin Galli of the Dept. of Justice.
4:50 / Adjourn for the day
Tuesday, October 19
Moderator: Caitlynn Knopp, Assistant Attorney-in-Charge, Child Advocacy Section, Oregon Department of Justice
1:00 / Kith and Kinship Placements: Engaging & Supporting Relatives as Certified Caregivers
Stacey Loboy, Foster Care Program Manager, Oregon Department of Human Services
Janna Owens, Foster Care Coordinator, Oregon Department of Human Services
Alicia O'Quinn, Foster Care Coordinator, Oregon Department of Human Services
Billy Cordero, Resource Family Retention / Recruitment Program Manager, Oregon Department of Human Services
Maurisa Gates, Metropolitan Public Defender, Portland
This presentation will deepen understanding of ODHS’ process and framework for identifying and certifying Kith and Kinship placements. Panelists will overview the steps, criteria and process. The presentation will also address advocacy strategies regarding securing kith-and-kin placements.
2:00 / Break
2:05 / Transitioning to Independent Living: Supporting Youth and Young Adults Aging Out of Foster Care, Part One
Rosemary Iavenditti, Youth Transitions Interim Program Manager, Oregon Department of Human Services, Salem
Amber McClelland, Polk County Program Manager, Oregon Department of Human Services, Salem
Beth McHugh Peccia, LCSW, Program Manager, Multnomah County Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Division, Children and Young Adults Program
Ellie Martin, Supervisor, Multnomah County Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Division, High School Transition Team
Participants will be provided an overview of the Youth Welfare System the Department is working toward. The Youth Welfare System is in varying stages of implementation. The vision is to create a trauma informed, developmentally appropriate, youth driven welfare system for young adults in care. Participants will hear how the Youth Transitions Program (including ILP services) are incorporating the values of a youth welfare system into existing services and supports. Materials will be provided which detail the eligibility criteria for the various ILP and other transition services. Participants will hear how the Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Services team coordinates with Child Welfare to assist those young people who will be transitioning to the adult DD system. Participants will receive information on the various supports and services to help young adults become as independent as possible.
3:05 / Break
3:10 / Supporting Youth and Young Adults Aging Out of Foster Care, Part Two
Moderated by Maggie Carlson, Youth, Rights, and Justice, Portland
Part two will be a moderated panel of youth/young adults who have aged out and a sample of the individuals who supported them.
3:40 / Break
3:45 / OR ICWA Update (access to justice credit)
Shannon Dennison, Attorney in Charge, Child Advocacy Section, Civil Enforcement Division, Oregon Department of Justice
Lea Ann Easton, Attorney, Portland
Addie Smith, JD, MSW, ICWA Trainer, The Whitener Group
A panel of regional experts will review provide an overview of the SB 562 (2021) changes to Oregon’s ICWA law and impacts on practice.
4:45 / Adjourn
Programming planned and coordinated by the 2021 Juvenile Law Training Academy Workgroup:
Keren Farkas and Shannon Storey, Office of Public Defense Services
Joanne Southey, Department of Justice Child Advocacy Section
Jordan Bates & Maggie Carlson, Youth, Rights & Justice
Jennifer Holman and Lee Lower, Department of Human Services Child Welfare
Kristen Lewis, Casa for Children
Amy Benedum, Oregon Judicial Department, Citizen Review Board
Mark Hardin, Attorney, Public Defense Services Commissioner
Shaun McCrea and Jennifer Root, Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association