Psychology and the Law has been approved by NBCC for NBCC credit. Sessions approved for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Alverno College is
solely responsible for all aspects of the program. NBCC Approval No. SP-3517.
Schedule
(Click the titles to see links to session recordings and details about each session.)
Often, people drawn to work in mental health are interested in social justice or become attentive to legal and policy issues because they observe how clients’ sociopolitical contexts
influence their well-being. Providers are often not trained in how to effectively engage with legal issues or advocate for policy change, and as a result may hesitate to become involved. This
session, grounded in ethical practice, will explore avenues mental health providers can use to advocate for social change, particularly within the legislative process.
Learning Objectives
Participants will identify professional reasons for engaging in advocacy as a mental health provider. Participants will identify barriers to engaging in advocacy as a mental health provider.
Participants will apply ethical standards related to advocacy as a mental health practitioner.
Presenters' Bios
State Representative Jonathan Brostoff
Rep. Jonathan Brostoff always has been dedicated to public service. With nearly 20 years of work and volunteer experience in homeless shelters, with AmeriCorps, and beyond, Rep. Brostoff is
an outspoken advocate for progressive causes and marginalized populations both inside and outside of the State Capitol. Currently serving in his third term as State Representative for
Wisconsin's 19th Assembly District, Rep. Brostoff is a lifelong resident of Milwaukee, an alumnus of UW-Milwaukee, and lives with his family on Milwaukee's East Side.
Kim Skerven, PhD
Kim Skerven, PhD is a licensed psychologist at the Zablocki VA Medical Center and the Center for Behavioral Medicine. She is a member of the APA Division 44 (Society for the Psychology of
Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity) Public Policy Committee, participating in writing Rapid Responses to sociopolitical events impacting LGBTQ+ people and Fact Sheets on issues related
to public policy. She has also been a member of an APA writing group on a resolution opposing discriminatory law, policies, and practices aimed at LGBTQ+ people. Locally, she has been
involved in Milwaukee’s ban on conversion therapy.
Within national discourse, immigration is generally framed as a social or political problem in need of solving. Because of this, too often the individuality of persons living within this
framework is lost in the macro-level discussion. Across the nation, immigrants have become the subject of harmful media reporting, hate crimes, and exclusionary policymaking. As individuals
tasked with serving this community, we often find ourselves playing a number of roles beyond counseling as the needs of this community can be vast. Ryan Larkey, LCSW, SAC and Melissa
Soberalski, JD will discuss the ways in which therapists serving the immigrant community can help address the mental health concerns that are unique to this population while also providing
assistance in their individual immigration cases. Further, they will discuss how a therapist’s assistance in a case can be critical to its success.
Learning Objectives
Learn about mental health issues that disproportionately affect immigrants and individuals living under risk of deportation. Learn about the prevalence of secondary trauma that can occur
while serving the immigrant community and the importance of self-care. Gain basic knowledge of immigration benefits such as extreme hardship waivers, cancellation of removal, VAWA
self-petitions, U-Visas, T-Visas, and asylum. Identify the difference between a therapist’s evaluation versus a letter of support, as well as what will make either document strong for
the client's immigration case. Learn more about how psychologists and attorneys can collaborate to advocate for immigrant clients while respecting the legal and ethical considerations each
role requires.
Presenters' Bios
Ryan Larkey, LCSW, SAC
Ryan Larkey is a licensed psychotherapist and substance abuse counselor practicing in the Milwaukee area. He has extensive experience working with individuals, couples and families navigating
mental health and addiction issues. True to his social worker roots, Ryan is committed to working with and advocating for marginalized populations. Ryan has worked to educate and implement
structural change for gender minorities. He has a personal and professional interest in advocating for and using his role as a therapist to help individuals that are facing unique challenges
of navigating our government’s immigration system.
Melissa Soberalski, JD
Attorney Melissa Soberalski graduated from Marquette University Law School in 2012 with pro bono honors. While a law student, she interned at Catholic Charities Legal Services for Immigrants
in Milwaukee and the National Immigrant Justice Center’s Asylum Project. Today, Attorney Soberalski continues her pro bono service with local organizations like the United Migrant
Opportunity Services (UMOS), the Latina Resource Center, and Voces de la Frontera. In 2018, she was recognized by Marquette University Law School as a “Rising Star” for having an
impact on the immigrant community early on in her legal career.
Presenters:The Honorable Cynthia Davis, Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Branch 21; Cameron Overton and Patrick Roberts, Milwaukee County Drug Treatment Court
Participants will learn the innovative process of treatment courts. Since 2009, Milwaukee County has established that treatment courts work and are essential to the criminal justice process
here in Milwaukee. Learn about Milwaukee County's Drug Treatment Court, Family Drug Treatment Court, and Veterans Treatment Court.
Learning Objective
Understand how mental health/substance abuse interacts with the law in Milwaukee County.
Presenters' Bios
The Honorable Cynthia Davis
Cynthia Davis became a Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge in 2016 and, since January 2019, has presided over Milwaukee County’s treatment courts. Prior to becoming a judge, Judge
Davis served as an Assistant District Attorney in Milwaukee County, practiced business law at Foley and Lardner and also served as a judicial clerk to now retired Justice David Prosser of the
Wisconsin Supreme Court. Judge Davis graduated with honors from Marquette University Law School, where she served as Editor in Chief of the Marquette Law Review. Judge Davis is also a
certified yoga instructor. Judge Davis is married and has a son.
Cameron Overton, APSW, SAC-IT
Cameron Overton is currently the Milwaukee County Drug Treatment Court Coordinator. Cameron has seen firsthand, the importance of Treatment Courts and the positive impact they bring during
the past six years of involvement with Treatment Courts-both Family and Adult. Cameron currently serves on the board of the Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals. He
graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with his undergraduate degree in Social Work and certificate in Criminal Justice. He went on to receive a Master’s degree in Social
Work as well as certificate in trauma from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He currently holds two licensures as an Advance Practice Social Worker (APSW) and Substance Abuse
Counsellor-in-Training (SAC-IT).
Patrick Roberts
Patrick Roberts is the current JusticePoint Program Director overseeing Early Interventions Programs in Milwaukee County. He oversees the case management and various operational aspects of
the Drug Treatment Court, Deferred Prosecution, and Diversion Agreement Programs. In addition to those responsibilities, Patrick provides oversight to Milwaukee County’s Cognitive
Behavioral, Trauma Informed Care, Peer Support, and two Milwaukee County Housing Supportive Services programs. He serves on several of Milwaukee County’s Criminal Justice Coordinating
Council subcommittees, and is a member of the National Association of Pretrial Service Agencies (NAPSA) and the Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals (WATCP). He received his
Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.
An overview of Wraparound Milwaukee programming and the influence capacities within the court system for children and families within Milwaukee County. Additionally, a discussion surrounding
the intersection of direct therapy practices and Wraparound Milwaukee services.
Learning Objectives
Build an understanding of Wraparound Milwaukee programming. Raise awareness of therapeutic advocacy within the court system Increase knowledge around the intersection of direct therapeutic
practice and Wraparound Milwaukee services.
Presenters' Bios
Megan Key, MSCP ‘20
Megan Key is a program coordinator at La Causa, Inc. and oversees Wraparound/Wraparound REACH and Treatment Foster Care programming. Megan has over 9 years of social services experience at La
Causa, Inc. in a variety of roles working with children and families. Megan is a Class IX alumni of the UWM Roberto Hernandez Center Latino Nonprofit Leadership Program, as well as an Alverno
graduate of the Master of Science in Community Psychology program.
Anna Strnad, MSW, APSW
Anna Strnad is the program administrator for youth services at La Causa, Inc., and helps oversee all youth services programming including Wraparound, Wraparound REACH, Youth CCS, CORE and
Treatment Foster Care. Anna has nine years of social services experience at La Causa Inc., all within youth programs. Anna graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology
from Loyola University Chicago and completed her Master’s in Social Work degree at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
In this session, participants will learn the purpose of the crisis mobile team, services they provide, how to access services, how it came to be, and how state and local laws impact the
services of the team.
Learning Objectives
Gain an understanding of Crisis Mobile Services and how it serves the community. Learn how practitioners can access resources offered by Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services. Learn how
the law impacts what the mobile team can do. Understand the purpose of developing a CART Team.
Presenter's Bio
Kirstin Juzenas, LCSW
Kirstin Juzenas is the Crisis Services Coordinator for Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division. She has been working in the mental health field with the county since January of 2007. She
is a licensed clinical social worker and holds a Master’s degree in social work with a focus on child and family. Serving the community and working with people who have a mental illness
is one of her passions. This is a population that is underserved and families that are struggling with a family member with a mental illness often feel lost on how to help. Serving the
community and being visible in the community is an important goal for Kirstin.
The goal of this presentation is to describe the sociocultural implications of laws and attitudes associated with recreational drug use. The evolution of “The War on Drugs” will
be discussed, from its initial widespread declaration by President Nixon in 1971, to the current debates concerning legalization. Next, participants will engage in discussion concerning the
disproportionate effects of America’s “War on Drugs” on people of color, to include, mass imprisonment and racial profiling. The session will end with discussion on
solutions for eradicating these issues—both on individual and societal levels.
Learning Objectives
Identify and describe major tenets of America’s “War on Drugs,” to include mandatory minimum sentencing, the prevalence of recreational drug use, as well as laws related to
the sale, manufacturing, and use of illicit drugs. Outline and discuss the sociocultural implications of America’s “War on Drugs,” to include the mass incarceration of
people of color, as well as racial profiling within the criminal justice system. Identify potential interventions—both individual and societal—to eradicate these issues, to
include harm reduction models of treatment, widespread utilization of Mental Health and/or Drug Courts, as well as mandatory cultural competency training for individuals tasked with enforcing
laws.
Presenter's Bio
Vanessa Hintz, PsyD
Vanessa Hintz, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and an active proponent of multicultural counselling and theory. She works dynamically to understand how individuals make meaning of
the world within their various cultural contexts. She is also a self-proclaimed "Geek Therapist," and incorporates elements of popular culture into treatment and training, when beneficial. In
addition to maintaining a private practice, Vanessa also works as an Assistant Professor at Alverno College in the Community Psychology graduate program.
Inmates require emotional support during their incarceration to adjust to prison life and begin the rehabilitation process. Group therapy is an effective and beneficial way to meet the needs
of multiple inmates simultaneously while delivering valuable mental health services. This presentation will discuss the role psychologists play and review the prevalence of mental illness in
prison settings. Various types of offender appropriate group therapy will be discussed along with the benefits and disadvantages.
Learning Objectives
Describe the role of psychologists in prison settings. Discuss the prevalence rates of mental illness in prison settings. Learn about various types of therapy groups offered in prison. Learn
and understand the benefits and disadvantages of group therapy in prison. Identify the stages of group therapy.
Presenter's Bio
Alaina Kroes, PsyD ‘09
Alaina Kroes is a postdoctoral fellow in psychology. She graduated from the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology (WSPP) and completed her internship at the Department of Corrections.
She works with children of all ages and enjoys conducting psychological evaluations. Her experience includes providing therapy and psychological evaluations to adults, adolescents, and
children in forensic and community-based settings. Her research interests include the parent-child relationship, and she completed her dissertation on this subject.
Many mental health crisis interventions require the collaboration of law enforcement and mental health providers. This session will discuss the different systems in place in Milwaukee County
for providing crisis care in the community, legal requirements for mental health providers when a crisis occurs during treatment, and how mental health providers can work with law enforcement
systems on an individual and community-wide basis.
Learning Objectives
Identify the law enforcement teams in Milwaukee County that respond to mental health crises. Identify professional responsibilities while responding to a crisis during treatment. Apply
ethical and legal standards to mental health crises.
Presenter's Bio
Paul Taylor
Paul Taylor has worked as a law enforcement officer for the West Allis Police Department (WAPD) since 2013. After being promoted to Corporal, Paul completed Crisis Assessment Response Team
(CART) training with the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division in 2018 as part of WAPD's goal to support the community’s ever-growing mental health needs. Paul successfully led
the pilot program and, in 2019, the City of West Allis adopted the CART program as a permanent police unit. The WAPD CART provides mental health stabilization, referrals for services,
community follow-ups, provider partnerships, provider monitoring, advocacy, education, etc. Paul has additional certifications in Dementia Intervention, Crisis Intervention, Autism
Intervention and Child Development and Mental Illness.
This session will cover Elder Abuse Adult Protective Services reporting requirements and emergency protective placement and services.
Learning Objectives
Learn the signs of abuse of elders and adults at risk. Understand reporting requirements. Understand elder abuse/adult protective services response and limitations.
Presenter's Bio
Dinah LaCaze, MSW, APSW
Dinah LaCaze is the Elder Abuse Prevention Program Coordinator Chapter 55 for the Milwaukee County Department on Aging, where she works in the Elder Abuse Unit. She coordinates emergency
protective placements for older adults and provides education and training on dementia. Dinah graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a Master's degree in Social Work and a Certificate in Trauma
Counseling. She is currently an adjunct instructor at UWM teaching graduate-level social work courses on aging.
Presenters: Monica Garcia Warnke, PhD, Alverno College and School District of Greenfield; Jeff Molter, PhD, Alverno College, and Kara Puklich Morgan, EdS, JD, School District of Greenfield
This session is designed for school psychologists and practitioners who frequently work in public schools. This interactive session will address the following topics in education: IDEA and
Section 504, maintaining records, case law and COVID-19 and IDEA compensatory services.
Learning Objectives
Define the major concepts of IDEA and section 504. Recognize issues related to maintaining confidential records in schools. Summarize highlighted case law examples related to schools. Discuss
the effects of COVID-19 on special education services.
Presenters' Bios
Monica Garcia Warnke, PhD ‘91
Monica Garcia Warnke, PhD, is the Director of Pupil Services, and former school psychologist in the School District of Greenfield. She provides leadership for a variety of school based staff
to meet the unique needs of students. Monica works with special education teachers, paraprofessionals, school counselors, school psychologists, speech pathologists and other related service
providers. She also manages and implements several school based programs to support student learning and growth including: Response to Intervention, Section 504, McKinney Vento, Positive
Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Middle School Restorative Practices, and Character Education. Monica is a Certified Instructor in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, and is an
Adjunct Instructor with Alverno College in the School Psychology Graduate Program.
Jeff Molter, PhD
Jeff Molter, PhD, is an assistant professor and the program director of the school psychology program at Alverno College. Jeff earned his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in
Educational Psychology with a specialization in School Psychology. He also is a licensed psychologist in the state of Wisconsin with 25 years of private practice experience in the Milwaukee
area. Jeff recently retired from the Milwaukee Public Schools, where he worked in a variety of roles, including Manager of Psychological Services and Allied Health.
Kara Puklich Morgan, EdS, JD
Kara Puklich Morgan, EdS, JD, is a school psychologist with the School District of Greenfield. In this position, Kara is responsible for the delivery of a variety of services, including
running class-wide and small group interventions; performing psycho-educational evaluations; serving as the Local Educational Agency Representative on IEP teams; and consultation on
appropriate strategies to use to assist students with their academic, social, and emotional needs. Kara is also a Certified Instructor in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention. In addition to
holding a Master’s of Science in Educational Psychology and an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology, Kara earned her JD at Hamline University School of Law. She practiced
law for 11 years prior to working as a school psychologist.
This session will have an overview of the main laws impacting the rights of people with disabilities, and the history of the independent living movement. Deinstitutionalization, empowerment,
self-directed services, cross-disability implications, and other concepts will be discussed. This session will focus on ensuring that mental health providers are aware of expectations that
many people with disabilities have with regards to communication access, decision-making, etc. to ensure their buy-in with treatment.
Learning Objective
Gain an understanding of the legacy of the disability rights movement, the laws that protect the rights of persons with disabilities, and how to partner with consumers who demand a voice in
the process.
Presenter's Bio
Brian Peters
Brian Peters is a certified ADA Coordinator with nearly 20 years at Independence First, a non-profit Center for Independent Living that serves people with disabilities in the four-county
metropolitan Milwaukee area. He is also an at-large member of the board for the National Council on Independent Living.
A discussion examining the history of civil commitment laws and how they have developed into their current state. This includes not only looking at ethical principles but also what the
process of removing one's rights means to the patient, their family, and other invested stakeholders. Examination will also include tensions that balance individual civil liberties with
safety to society at large and other assorted stigmas that persist surrounding those living with mental illness.
Learning Objectives
Process the history of civil commitment laws and their evolution to current state. Discuss the existing conflicts between patient-centred processes, autonomy, and principles of safety.
Examine how one's feelings on these principles may vary during one's career as well as one's scope/perspective.
Presenter's Bio
Tony Thrasher, DO, DFAPA
Dr. Tony Thrasher is a board-certified psychiatrist employed as the medical director for the Crisis Services branch of the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division. He received his
psychiatric training from Washington University in St. Louis / Barnes Jewish Hospital. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), and he currently serves as
the Milwaukee Chapter President for the Wisconsin Psychiatric Association (WPA). Additionally, he enjoys teaching in a volunteer academic position with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW)
and serving as the President Elect for the National American Association for Emergency Psychiatry (AAEP). Looking into 2021, Dr. Thrasher is the editor for Oxford Press pending new
publication, “Primer on Emergency Psychiatry".
The panel will discuss the current events surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement, including the ways that some individuals are unfairly targeted for arrest, detention, and other forms of
police attention. This discussion will include the perspectives of mental health providers, law enforcement officers, and community activists.
Learning Objectives
Recognize and understand multiple perspectives on racial equality and defunding the police force. Explore how social unrest can impact the health of the community. Gain an understanding of
the role that public policy and public health can play in informing public decision-making.
Moderator's Bio
Vanessa Hintz, PsyD
Vanessa Hintz, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and an active proponent of multicultural counseling and theory. She works dynamically to understand how individuals make meaning of
the world within their various cultural contexts. She is also a self-proclaimed "Geek Therapist," and incorporates elements of popular culture into treatment and training, when beneficial. In
addition to maintaining a private practice, Vanessa also works as an Assistant Professor at Alverno College in the Community Psychology graduate program.
Presenters' Bios
State Representative David Bowen
Rep. David Bowen was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2014, and is currently on his way to a fourth term as State Representative for the 10th Assembly District beginning in
January of 2021. Before his election to the Assembly, Rep. Bowen served on the Milwaukee County Board as Supervisor for the 10th District, becoming the youngest member of the Board and one of
the youngest Black local elected officials in Milwaukee’s history. A first-generation American and the son of Jamaican immigrants who traveled to Wisconsin for economic opportunity,
Rep. David Bowen was born and raised on Milwaukee’s North Side.
Demi Jo Carr
Demi Jo Carr is the grant and program support coordinator for Diverse & Resilient. Carr’s undergraduate studies at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) included study
abroad in Beijing. Demi Jo was one of the first students enrolled in UWM’s new sustainable peace-building master’s program. In carving out a uniquely relevant research path, they
spent some time in Ferguson, MO before turning their focus to Milwaukee’s Lincoln Creek neighborhood. As an upbeat public health professional and sustainable peace-builder with
extensive experience coordinating programs and research projects Demi Jo is honored to share their skills to further the mission of Diverse & Resilient. Carr’s personal philosophy
in leadership and life is that you must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Lou Schaefer
Lou Schaefer recently retired from the Milwaukee Police Department after serving for 25 years. She continues to serve on the board of the Traumatic Incident Resource (TIR) and previously
served as the chairperson of the Police Officer Support Team (POST). As a trainer for the Milwaukee Police Department, Lou was principal in the development and implementation of the
department’s Crisis Intervention Team. She also served as the department’s Early Intervention Program coordinator and currently works with the department’s Mental
Wellness Team. Lou received her Master’s degree in Community Psychology from Alverno College in 2019. Her experience as a law enforcement officer, a peer supporter, and a mental health
provider give her valuable insight into the first responder culture, cumulative trauma, and traumatic stress.
