Conference Agenda

Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom, Floor 2

Jacqueline van Wormer, Ph.D.
Director of Research; Division Director, Center for Advancing Justice, All Rise

Session Description

The Adult Drug Court Best Practice Standards were first published in 2013, providing detailed guidance for implementing research-based practices and achieving optimal treatment court outcomes. A decade later, All Rise has released the second edition of the standards with important updates that reflect new research and lessons learned. This session will provide an overview of the revised Standards. Throughout the session, key changes to the Standards will be highlighted, along with important practice tips.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how the revised Standards are intended to be used.
• Identify the key additions, clarifications, and other changes in the revised Standards.
• Explain some of the important implementation issues that drug courts will need to address under the revised Standards.

Approved for COB hours.

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Great Hall 1, Floor 1

Matt Collinson
Project Director for Justice Initiatives, School of Public Affairs at American University

John R. Gallagher, Ph.D.
Full Professor, George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government

Grant Sandrock
Eligibility and Recovery Specialist, Portage County Specialized Dockets

Session Description

Treatment courts are a highly effective intervention designed to provide treatment and services to those with a substance use disorder, keeping them in their communities, connected to supportive services, and intensively supervised. However, despite large numbers of people in prisons and jails having a diagnosed substance use disorder or mental illness, many courts are struggling to reach potential participants. American University has been working in partnership with the State of Ohio since 2020 to help address disparities in access to treatment courts, and during this session we’ll present some research on the extent of disparities in access in Ohio, and the US more generally, and provide evidence-based strategies to support courts in addressing these disparities. This session will also include a case study from a court in Ohio, who will describe their work updating eligibility requirements to enhance recruitment, and their efforts to reach people currently in the county jail on eligible charges to advise them of the services offered by the treatment court.

Learning Objectives

• Review the research on the scale, and problems associated with disparities in access to treatment courts.
• Describe policies and practices that can unintentionally create barriers to non-white participants.
• Discuss practical solutions and steps courts can take to increase recruitment of diverse participants.
• Strategize ways to implement solutions in local court contexts.

Approved for COB hours.

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Great Hall 3, Floor 1 

Casey Taft, Ph.D.
Staff Psychologist, National Center for PTSD in the VA Boston Healthcare System, Faculty Member, All Rise

Session Description

This plenary will focus on the problem of intimate partner violence (IPV). The speaker will discuss the causes of IPV, focusing on how trauma and related problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder may influence how participants interpret and respond to others in conflict situations. The discussion will then shift to a description of the Strength at Home program, including how motivational strategies facilitate accountability for abusive behavior. The session will conclude with a review of the scientific evidence for the intervention.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss strategies for motivating those who use intimate partner violence to increase their engagement in the therapy process.
• Describe suggested programmatic modifications that can enhance participant outcomes.
• Review the social information processing model for intimate partner violence.

Approved for COB hours.

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Performance Hall, Floor 1 

Laura Hunter, Ph.D.
Project Director and Research Associate, NPC Research

Session Description

In 2023, Ohio’s adult treatment courts were invited to complete the Best Practices Self-Assessment Tool (BeST). This online assessment gathers information on a program’s policies and procedures and can be used to measure alignment with some research-based best practices, including All Rise’s (2024) Adult Treatment Court Best Practice Standards. A total of 145 specialized dockets completed the assessment and received an individual summary of their BeST results. In this session, a summary of results and statewide trends will be presented, including the best practices commonly implemented and practices that are more challenging. You will learn how to use your results to enhance your program. Strategies will be offered on how to use your program’s BeST results to: demonstrate successes to key partners to build program support; undergo action planning to address gaps; and request needed resources, training, and technical assistance.

Learning Objectives

• Describe how Ohio’s adult specialized dockets are implementing best practices.
• Explain how to use your BeST results to enhance your program.
• Recognize how to use the BeST results to demonstrate successes to partners to build support, undergo action planning to address gaps, and request needed resources, training, and technical assistance.

Approved for COB hours.

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US Bank Theatre, Floor 1

Chris Wig, Executive Director, Emergence Addiction and Behavioral Therapies, Treatment Court Institute Faculty, All Rise

Session Description

You’ve heard and read that treatment courts are most effective with high-risk/high-need participants. With that said, many obstacles can impact our ability to get a client into treatment court. One reason may be ineffective screening and assessment processes. For a treatment court program to effectively identify and help treat a participant, to know that the participant meets the program criteria, and to know that the treatment selected worked (or is working), it must first engage in a risk assessment and a clinical assessment of the client. Risk assessments inform decisions throughout the criminal justice process; clinical assessments inform treatment throughout the treatment continuum. This session explores the differences in criminogenic risk screening and assessment tools and the need for comprehensive clinical evaluations.

Learning Objectives

• Define what a screening tool is and how it differs from assessment tools.
• Explain which tools work best and support access for diverse populations.
• Describe the importance of clinical assessments and reassessments.

Approved for COB hours.

Senate Chamber, Floor 2 

Latonya Adjei-Tabi, Change Liaison for National Center for Substance Abuse and Child Welfare Projects, Center for Children and Family Futures

Session Description

Stigma and bias about substance use disorders (SUD) can influence the attitudes and interactions of justice professionals, healthcare and treatment professionals, family, friends, and the person with the SUD. Understanding stigma and language improves engagement and connection to services. Teams must actively identify and disrupt stigma in interactions, expectations, language, and policies affecting families.  Disrupting stigma requires elevating an understanding of stigma as a priority using a problem-solving approach, promoting ongoing examination of team decisions and actions, examining strategies to dismantle institutional and public stigma and ways to monitor how changes affect family progress and outcomes.

Learning Objectives

• Examine the research about individuals and families affected by substance use and mental health disorders including disproportionality and disparities.
• Describe the different types of stigma related to substance use and mental health disorders including related behaviors of individuals experiencing self-stigma.
• Explore strategies to dismantle stigma and examine ways to monitor how changes affect family progress and outcomes.

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Ohio Staters, Inc. Traditions Room, Floor 2

Judge Gregory G. Pinski (Ret.)
Judicial Consultant, All Rise

Session Description

Because we work in these specialized courts does not mean our professional ethics change. Indeed, we often have additional ethical mandates placed upon us because of our participation in these courts. The laws of confidentiality and the rules of ethics apply to everyone on these teams. These mandates can lead to team friction if there is no cross training and understanding of how these laws and ethical mandates interact. It is crucial to understand the expansion and the limits on how information is shared, and for the entire team to maintain appropriate boundaries within their profession and team.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the legal mandates of the federal rules of confidentiality and HIPAA as they apply in treatment courts.
• Describe role specific ethical mandates and how they may interact with confidentiality laws.
• Recognize ethical breaches in treatment courts which have occurred and learn to identify when boundary problems are developing on their team.
• Summarize the types of data that can be provided for research purposes and under what circumstances.

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Student-Alumni Council Room, Floor 2

James Boleyn
Specialized Dockets Director, Marion Municipal Court

Natalie Longmeier
Executive Director, Marion Matters, Inc.

Session Description

This training seminar on coalition building for the benefit of specialized treatment court dockets aims to equip participants with essential skills and strategies to effectively collaborate and form strong partnerships for the success of specialized court programs. The seminar will explore the importance of building coalitions with key stakeholders to enhance the support system for individuals in the criminal justice system. Through practical tools, real world examples, and interactive sessions, participants will learn how to develop and sustain effective coalitions, leverage resources, and establish coordinated efforts to address the complex issues facing specialized treatment court dockets.

Learning Objectives

• Summarize the benefits of coalition building in the context of specialized treatment court dockets, including improved collaboration, resource sharing, and increased community support.
• Explain effective strategies for identifying and engaging key stakeholders in the community to build strong coalitions that support the goals of specialized treatment court dockets.
• Develop skills in communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution to navigate challenges and effectively maintain and strengthen coalitions for long-term success in specialized treatment court dockets.

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Cartoon Room 1, Floor 3

Juliette R. Mackin, Ph.D.
Co-President, Director of Quality and Training, and Senior Research Associate, NPC Research

Session Description

Many Juvenile Treatment Courts (JTCs) face the challenge of low participant numbers. A number of factors can make it difficult to identify and serve youth who are appropriate for treatment court, including alternative programming within the juvenile justice system, jurisdictional and legal limits, and lack of partner agency support. This session will provide suggestions for accessing and analyzing information to understand the potential pool of eligible youth, and strategies for implementing communication, assessment, and referral procedures that can increase program admissions.

Learning Objectives

• Estimate the number of youth who are eligible for JTC.
• Describe strategies for establishing screening and assessment procedures (including validated screening and assessment tools) to maximize identification of eligible youth.
• Recommend communication/marketing ideas for gaining buy-in and interest.
• Explain practices that increase retention.

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Cartoon Room 2, Floor 3

Jacqueline van Wormer, Ph.D.
Director of Research; Division Director, Center for Advancing Justice, All Rise

Session Description

The use of evidence-based probation and case management techniques within the treatment court model are critical to ensure the greatest reductions in recidivism for clients. This session will provide participants with an overview of Core Correctional Practices (CCP) and how teams can transfer key principles of CCP into practice throughout the court process. During the session, staff will learn how to build case plans based on the principles of risk/need/responsivity and how to prioritize high need areas. Participants will explore the possible uses of CCP not only by probation/case management, but as a guiding framework in the staffing and court process as well.

Learning Objectives

• Identify ways participants can enhance their working relationship with clients.
• Describe ways to develop case plans that are informed on criminogenic need areas.
• Assess behavioral markers to measure progress and improvement and to use these markers in staffing and court.
• Engage in conversations that raise awareness and increase motivation for the client.

Approved for COB hours.

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Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom, Floor 2

Judge Gregory G. Pinski (Ret.)
Judicial Consultant, All Rise

Session Description

This session will first focus on effectively gaining the support of critical justice and treatment system stakeholders and enlisting their participation as active team members, including the judiciary, district attorney/prosecutor, public defender/defense bar, community supervision, law enforcement, and community treatment providers. It will then cover sustaining participation through effective team communication, collaboration, and training.

Learning objectives:

• Define your program’s mission and goals to explain them effectively to stakeholders.
• Demonstrate the importance of participation by each stakeholder to gain buy-in.
• Describe the initial expectations and responsibilities of each stakeholder.
• Explain the importance of team wellness and education.

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Great Hall 1&2, Floor 1

Matt Collinson
Project Director for Justice Initiatives, School of Public Affairs at American University

John R. Gallagher, Ph.D.
Full Professor, George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government

Carli Whitely
HOPE Court Coordinator and Sr. Probation Officer, Portage County Adult Probation

Session Description

Treatment courts have been providing effective and evidence-based services to participants for over 35 years, and the research shows that courts are effective, when they follow the best practice standards. However, research has suggested that treatment courts are not as effective at serving Black and Latinx clients compared to White clients. The disparities in graduation rates have narrowed significantly in recent years, but it remains an issue, and one that treatment courts have an affirmative duty to address. This session will review evidence-based policies and practices which courts should use to reduce the risk of disparities, ensure all participants are receiving equitable treatment, and ensure outcomes are equitable. This session will showcase research and data American University has gathered from treatment courts across the State of Ohio, highlighting effective policies and practices to continue, and areas where courts in the state may benefit from making changes. This session will include a case study of changes in policies and practices made by a treatment court in Ohio. This court has completed AU’s RED Assessment and worked for a year on implementing best practices in data collection, especially participant feedback data, and best practices related to supportive services for diverse participants.

Learning Objectives

• Review the research on the scale, and problems associated with disparities in outcomes for treatment courts participants.
• Describe policies and practices that can unintentionally create barriers to marginalized groups.
• Discuss practical solutions and steps courts can take to increase retention and graduation of diverse participants, including regularly seeking participant feedback.
• Strategize ways to implement solutions in local court contexts.

Approved for COB hours.

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Great Hall 3, Floor 1

Jacqueline van Wormer, Ph.D.
Director of Research; Division Director, Center for Advancing Justice, All Rise

Session Description

This session will cover the critical issue of how to address multiple behavioral problems with multiple responses to appropriately respond to participant behavior. Teams will practice using a graduated approach to incentives, sanctions, and therapeutic adjustments (ISTA), determining proximal and distal behaviors, and deciding how to select the appropriate type and magnitude of response to participant behavior.

Learning Objectives

• Describe why consequences for participants’ behavior need to be predictable, fair, consistent, and administered in accordance with evidence-based principles of effective behavior modification.
• Explain how certainty and immediacy are dealt with in treatment court.
• Define proximal, distal, and mastered goals.
• Describe strategies for tailoring consequences to the person and their circumstances.
• Recognize how to combine rewards, sanctions, and therapeutic adjustments to address multiple behaviors of participants.
• Identify the best order in which to address simultaneous achievements and infractions by participants.

Approved for COB hours.

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Performance Hall, Floor 1

Hon. Chryssa Hartnett
Judge of Stark County Court of Common Pleas, Certified Reentry Specialized Docket

Christopher Dicastro
Deputy Director of Criminal Justice and Correctional Recovery, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS)

Andrew Laubenthal
Project Specialist, Lorain County Sheriff's Office

Shauntae Metcalf
Stark County Reentry Coalition

Session Description

The Supreme Court Task Force on Reentry was formed in 2023 and released their Final Report and Recommendations in September, 2024. The Task Force was charged with identifying evidence-based best practices and promising services to address the challenges of reentry from a holistic view in order to improve outcomes for those living a life restored.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the need for reentry programs for people being released from both prison and jail.
• Explain the types of support successful reentry programs provide for people returning home from incarceration.
• Describe resources currently available to courts and other groups facilitating reentry.

Approved for COB hours.

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US Bank Theatre, Floor 1

Chris Wig
Executive Director, Emergence Addiction and Behavioral Therapies, Treatment Court Institute Faculty, All Rise

Session Description

Persons with co-occurring mental illnesses and substance use disorders are in all types of adult drug courts. Substance misuse is the most common and clinically significant comorbid disorder among adults with severe mental illness. It is estimated that about 70-74 percent of persons in the criminal justice system affected by co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders can be difficult to diagnose due to the complexity of symptoms, as both may vary in severity. In many cases, people receive treatment for one disorder while the other disorder remains untreated. Early detection and treatment can improve treatment outcomes and the quality of life for those who need these services. Effective concurrent treatment planning is critical to positive outcomes both in treatment and in treatment court case-planning. The consequences of undiagnosed, untreated, or undertreated co-occurring disorders can lead to a higher likelihood of experiencing homelessness, recidivism and incarceration, medical illnesses, suicide, or even early death.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the necessity of matching treatment approaches to the individual.
• Describe the importance of providing a comprehensive continuum of treatment and ancillary services.
• Summarize the complex interactions between flexible treatment and case planning while maintaining integrity to the Adult Treatment Court Best Practice Standards.

Approved for COB hours.

Senate Chamber, Floor 2

Latonya Adjei-Tabi
Change Liaison for National Center for Substance Abuse and Child Welfare Projects, Center for Children and Family Futures

Session Description

Recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their well-being and live a self-directed life. Recovery capital helps sustain recovery with personal, social, and community resources.  This session provides professionals with information about assessing recovery capital and fostering a recovery inclusive community to minimize barriers for families. The presenter will highlight concrete strategies to integrate recovery capital and protective factor concepts into case planning and examples of how to create a welcoming, recovery-oriented community.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the benefits of building a recovery inclusive community to increase family resilience, recovery, and wellness.
• Describe approaches used to develop recovery inclusive communities.
• Discuss innovative strategies and practical lessons for integrating recovery capital and protective factors into your work with parents, children, and family members.

Approved for COB hours.

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Ohio Staters, Inc. Traditions Room, Floor 2

Judge Gregory G. Pinski (Ret.)
Judicial Consultant, All Rise

Session Description

This session presents information on legal issues that occur in drug treatment courts. During this lecture and discussion, participants will learn how federal laws regarding privacy and due process affect their drug court programs.

Learning Objectives

• Identify legal issues that occur in treatment courts.
• Recognize constitutional and due process issues that affect the treatment court program.
• Identify how federal confidentiality regulations (42 C.F.R. and HIPAA) are applied in the treatment court setting.
• Describe ethics rules that influence drug court team member roles in the treatment court process.

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Student-Alumni Council Room, Floor 2

Juliette R. Mackin, Ph.D.
Co-President, Director of Quality and Training, and Senior Research Associate, NPC Research

Session Description

This session will address a common challenge in juvenile treatment courts: how to manage parent engagement. Parent and family engagement is an important element within the Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines, can improve youth success, and can be difficult to achieve. This session will include various approaches, considerations, and suggestions for how to engage parents/families and other supports for youth in your juvenile treatment court program.

Learning Objectives

• Explain of the benefits of parent/family engagement, and common barriers to engagement.
• Discuss strategies for engaging parents/families in JTC.
• Identify resources to use for building engagement.

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Cartoon Room 2, Floor 3

Matt Ouren
Project Director, All Rise

Session Description

Failure to recognize and address the things that put a justice-involved veteran or service member at risk for continued criminal behavior can result in the person returning to the criminal justice system again and again. This session will focus on identifying the most significant risk factors for criminal justice involvement and actions that team members can take to reduce a veteran participant’s likelihood of further criminal involvement.

Learning Objectives

• Identify different risk levels and the importance of treating them together.
• Describe how different programming corresponds with risk level.

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Cartoon Room 2, Floor 3

Jordan Knipper
State Opioid Treatment Authority (SOTA), Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS)

Jessica Lavelle, MSW, LISW-S
Women's Treatment Coordinator of the SUD Bureau, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS)

Session Description

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services is excited to offer a presentation related to trending topics in addiction treatment. Our team will discuss Department-related activities over the past year, as well as current initiatives, specifically, the following areas will be addressed:

• Data trends in the field of substance use disorder: Our team will review the most recent data trends, including the prevalence of substance use disorder, types of substance use, and unintentional overdose death.
• Treatment for persons with opioid use disorder: This topic will review the basics of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) (e.g., formulations), as well as stigma around MOUD. Additionally, treatment access will be discussed with a focus on the growth and availability of medication assisted treatment within Ohio.
• Treatment for persons with alcohol use disorder: Ohio has dedicated substantial funding toward alcohol-use disorder over the past two years. This new funding has allowed innovative programs to be deployed throughout Ohio. Examples of this programming will be discussed as well as treatment-related trends within this area.
• Women’s treatment programs: Ohio receives $10 million dollars of annual funding for dedicated women’s treatment programs. This discussion will cover examples of statewide trends in treatment, barriers to successful program implementation, and successful women’s programs.

The presentation will conclude with information on Department-related funding priorities, including behavioral health workforce initiatives and opportunities for agency and service provider participation.

Learning Objectives

• Describe data trends in the field of substance use disorder.
• Highlight trends on growth and availability of medications for opioid use disorder.
• Define trends and programming available for alcohol use disorder.
• Describe Ohio’s women’s treatment programs and barriers to successful program implementation.

Approved for COB hours.

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