AUGUST SERIES- AGENDA
Special Topics
August 6, 1pm-3pm
Expanding Access and Options for Justice for Deaf, DeafBlind and Hearing Individuals
Presented by: Aaron Gutzke and Steph Ritenour from ThinkSelf
ThinkSelf, an agency serving Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing individuals seeking safety, education, and resources, has been working to create a more welcoming and accessible environment for Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing individuals seeking options and resources. Aaron Gutzke, ThinkSelf's Executive Director, and Steph Ritenour, ThinkSelf's Director of Programs, will provide an overview of the incidence of abuse in Deaf communities, information about communication needs and access considerations, the importance of engaging and partnering with Deaf-led advocacy services, and how a co-advocacy approach often helps to ensure that all of an individuals’ needs are met.
Special Topics
August 13, 1pm-3pm
Steps to Support: An Interactive Discussion on Culturally Responsive Services to Immigrant Survivors
Presented by: Thi Synavone and Rachel Kohler from Standpoint
You won’t even want to check your email during this presentation! Thi and Rachel will be facilitating an interactive discussion that will walk you through several scenarios, each of which will focus on providing culturally responsive services to immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence. We will discuss barriers to safety and ways in which professionals can offer options and support, keeping in mind the individualized circumstances of the survivors with whom they are working.
Special Topics
August 20, 1pm-3pm
Strategies for Effective Housing Advocacy
Presented by: Ann McFarland and Raelene Caswell from Standpoint
The connection between domestic or sexual violence and homelessness is evident. According to a 2018 Wilder Study, over half of women experiencing homelessness had at least one experience with violence or exploitation, and the number of homeless women who are also fleeing domestic violence is steadily increasing. We will begin this talk with an overview of legal protections specific to domestic and sexual violence, focusing on the housing protections in VAWA, FHA, and Minnesota law. This will be followed by a discussion of how domestic and sexual violence advocates can assist with housing issues, including eviction basics, working with landlords to prevent eviction filings, and what to do once an eviction has been filed.
Case Law & Statutes
August 27, 8:45am-12:30pm
Minnesota/Federal Criminal Case and Statute Law Update Case Law & Statutes
Presented by: Rana Alexander, and Amy Isenor from Standpoint
Overview of case and statue law changes in criminal law and how they might affect victims of domestic and sexual assault.
Case Law & Statutes
August 28, 8:45am-12:30pm
Minnesota OFP and HRO Case and Statute Law Update
Presented by: Rana Alexander and Amy Isenor from Standpoint
Overview of case law changes in orders for protection and harassment restraining order law and how they will affect victims of domestic and sexual assault.
Minnesota/Federal Family Case and Statute Law Update
Presented by: Rana Alexander and Amy Isenor from Standpoint
Overview of case law changes in family law over the past year and how they might affect victims of domestic and sexual assault. Focusing on jurisdiction issues, custody, child support, child protection, child abuse.
Minnesota/Federal Administrative Case and Statute Law Update
Presented by: Rana Alexander and Amy Isenor from Standpoint
Overview of case law changes in administrative law and how they might affect victims of domestic and sexual assault.