April is here and every year we honor victims of sexual assault by raising awareness. The theme of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) 2024 is Building Connected Communities, a campaign that aims to reduce the likelihood of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment in our communities. We must strive to create strong, connected communities that take care of one another. Communities that make decisions to ensure the safety and well-being of all their members are crucial to ending sexual violence worldwide. Sadly, there is a significant connection between sexual assault and domestic violence. Did you know that -over half (51.1%) of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner, while for 40.8% it was an acquaintance?
SAAM has a long and interesting history. Since 2013, the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) has hosted Colorado Denim Day to raise awareness about sexual assault, show support for survivors, and unite communities across Colorado to take a stand against sexual violence. Colorado Denim Day is our statewide event, aligned with Denim Day events worldwide, held on a Wednesday every April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
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When: April 12, 2024
Time: 9:00AM - 1:30PM
Where: 710 Kipling Street, Denver, CO, 80215, 2nd Floor Conference Room
Join link:
https://dcj.webex.com/dcj/j.php?MTID=mab301f80f4f51415af0961d7c4ea2c31
Webinar number: 2554 092 0146
Webinar password: bPrzsUX4P65 (27797894 from phones and video systems)
Join by phone: +1-415-655-0001 US Toll
Access code: 255 409 20146
On Monday March 18th, 2024, the DVOMB launched a pilot of our newly redesigned tool for assessing the risk and needs of domestic violence offenders. The Domestic Violence Risk and Needs Assessment (DVRNA) is a structured risk assessment used to evaluate and place domestic violent offenders into differential domestic violence treatment levels in Colorado, Levels A, B, or C. This tool has been in place for nearly 14 years and was recently validated for its ability to correctly classify domestic violence offenders into risk groups that differed by recidivism rates. Based upon this research, the staff of the DVOMB has made major revisions to the DVRNA in what is now being called the Domestic Violence Risk and Needs Assessment Revised (DVRNA-R). The DVRNA-R has been re-engineered to separate static and dynamic risk factors that predict someone’s likelihood of committing a new domestic violence offense. This cutting-edge tool incorporates advancements in risk assessment and allows for better treatment planning for enhanced victim and community safety. The DVRNA-R pilot will run for approximately 6 to 9 months with a cadre of approximately 30 DVOMB Approved Treatment Providers and Evaluators from different parts of the state. The results of the DVRNA-R pilot will inform the future introduction of the DVRNA-R more widely, as well as future changes to the Standards and Guidelines.
KUNC from Northern Colorado recently published a Podcast that discusses how prevalent traumatic brain injuries are to victims of domestic violence. It is worth a listen, but please know that there is some graphic content. Please use discretion and take care of yourself accordingly.
The DVOMB has been busy working on updates to the Standards and Guidelines to improve services and coordination. Two recent revisions to the Standards and Guidelines that were approved involved the Core Competencies and Interpretation Services. These changes will be incorporated into the Standards in July of 2024.
Public comments are requested for proposed revisions to Section 1.0. The deadline to submit feedback is April 20th, 2024. Share your feedback today!
On January 31st, 2024, the DVOMB presented to the Joint Judiciary Committee at the Colorado State Capitol. The presentation is required by law and focused on the 2024 Annual Legislative Report. Jessica Fann (Board Member), Dr. Rachael Collie (staff researcher), and Jesse Hansen (program manager) gave testimony regarding the report and policy recommendations. Other DVOMB Approved Providers gave testimony in-person and virtually.
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Have you heard the exciting news? The DVOMB 2024 Annual Legislative Report was submitted to the Colorado Legislature in January. This report is loaded with information and includes a summary of the first 6 months of data inputted by Providers. Recall that the data collection project was a requirement in the DVOMB reauthorization bill (House Bill 22-1210). Well, the data is already providing valuable insights into domestic violence offender treatment in Colorado, and we have some highlights to share with you. You can find a full copy of the report on the DVOMB website.
- Data was entered for 437 clients discharged between January 1 and June 30, 2023.
- About 4 out of 5 clients identified as male, while 1 out of 5 identified as female.
- The three most common racial-ethnic identities among clients were White (45%), Hispanic (38%), and Black or African American (9%). Almost 10% of clients identified Spanish as their primary language.
- On average, clients were 34 years old at the time of their offense.
- Approximately 63.0% of clients were placed in Level C treatment intensity.
- 62% of clients had successful or completed discharges. The rates varied by risk level as might be expected (see below).
- Almost half (47%) of clients agreed to share personal identifying information so their data could be included in future research on how treatment influences reoffending and desistance.
Discharge Outcomes by Treatment Level Placed for Colorado DV Treatment Clients (n = 410).
 To learn more about the initial data collection findings or what else is included in the report, please access the 2024 DVOMB Annual Legislative Report.
As well, THANK YOU to all the providers who are inputting data and helping us build a comprehensive knowledge base to guide the development and implementation of the DVOMB Standards and Guidelines.
Chair: Jennifer Parker, DVOMB Approved Provider, LMFT, LAC
Co-Chair: Raechel Alderete, SOMB Program Manager
The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Committee has been hard at work! We have spent time working on identifying where and how to better incorporate DEIB awareness and opportunities into the DVOMB Standards and Guidelines, trainings and events. The DEIB Committee has developed language which has been approved to now require a DEIB portion to all philosophy statements in Associate Level Candidate applications. Currently we are working on creating an appendix which will provide guidance on utilizing interpretation services during DV Offender evaluation and treatment.
If you are interested in participating in the DEIB Committee, we would LOVE for you to join us! We meet on the 4th Friday of each month from 9AM to 11AM, and we meet virtually. Please contact Caroleena.Frane@state.co.us if you would like to attend.
Advanced Series Training: Assessing Risk for Sexual and Domestic Violence Recidivism: Latest research, including cross-cultural validity:
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Are you interested in staying up-to-date with the latest developments in risk assessments for sexual and domestic violent offending? If so, you won't want to miss out on our upcoming event! We've partnered with a leading expert in the field to deliver comprehensive training that covers the newest research for using sexual and other risk assessment tools with racially diverse clients. You'll also learn about the latest findings on risk factors for domestic violence, how to handle risk assessment with clients who have crossover sexual and domestic violence offending, and how to communicate effectively about risk in reports. Whether you're a new provider or seeking to stay abreast of advancements in the field, this training is for you!
Be sure to register and secure your spot for this excellent opportunity to learn from the best and enhance your risk assessment and treatment planning practices.
Many racial and ethnic groups are overrepresented in the criminal legal system, and there are reasons to be concerned about whether risk assessment tools developed on predominantly White samples would apply to different racial/ethnic groups. One of the challenges in this area has also been a confusing and conflicting set of definitions for what “racial bias” means. This presentation will review and synthesize different definitions of “racial bias” and outline what is needed in examining the cross-cultural validity of risk tools. Existing research on cross-cultural validity and generalizability of risk factors and risk tools will be discussed, with a particular (but not exclusive) focus on sexual recidivism risk assessment. This will include a summary of a recent meta-analysis on general risk assessment with Indigenous offenders, and meta-analyses and reviews of sexual recidivism risk tools across Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Indian, and Asian men. Implications for practice will be discussed.
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An early meta-analytic summary found that risk tools specifically designed for domestic violence (DV) did not necessarily predict DV recidivism any better than generic risk assessment tools designed for other outcomes. This presentation will summarize three research initiatives related to improving risk assessment for domestic violence.
Date: April 18th, 2024
Time: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Format: In Person ONLY
Location: Arapahoe County Human Services
14980 E. Alameda Drive, Aurora, CO 80012
Cost: $50
Audience: DV & SO Professionals Only
This training provides an overview of different types of risk assessment and the importance of utilizing risk assessment practices in the forensic setting. This discussion will include how to distinguish between static and dynamic risk factors and why this is important to assessing offender progress. After a review of the research supporting the Risk, Need, and Responsivity Principles, participants will review the scoring manual of the Domestic Violence Offender Risk and Needs Assessment (DVRNA).
CEU: 7 hours
When: May 6th, 2024
Time: 8:30 am-3:30 pm
Where: Online
IMPORTANT NOTE: For DVOMB Approved Trainees, DVOMB Providers, or Treatment Victim Advocates ONLY
This training will give participants the knowledge, skills, and tools for conducting domestic violence offender evaluations in accordance with the DVOMB Standards. After discussing the importance of the offender evaluation as it relates to the development of a comprehensive treatment plan, participants will go through an experiential learning process of developing an offender evaluation from start to finish. This includes how to synthesize and gather all of the necessary information and how to formulate appropriate treatment recommendations and corresponding treatment goals amongst the group.
CEU: 7 hours
When: June 3rd, 2024
Time: 8:30 am-3:30 pm
Where: Online
Prerequisite: DV100, DV101
IMPORTANT NOTE: For DVOMB Approved Trainees, DVOMB Providers, or Treatment Victim Advocates ONLY
This training will provide an in-depth review of domestic violence offender treatment with a focus on the requirements of the Standards and best practice modalities and concepts. After a discussion of the differences between traditional psychotherapy and forensic offense-specific therapy, this training will cover offender treatment within the context of primary and adjunct interventions, offender contracts, level of offender treatment, core competencies, and ways to measure offender progress and discharge criteria. Additionally, this training will incorporate important clinical issues to consider and the importance of the Treatment Victim Advocate throughout the therapeutic process. This training will have case examples and exercises to engage participants and provide tools for practitioners to utilize.
CEU: 7 hours
When: August 5, 2024
Time: 8:30 am-3:30 pm
Where: Online
Prerequisite: DV100, DV101, DV102
IMPORTANT NOTE: For DVOMB Approved Trainees, DVOMB Providers, or Treatment Victim Advocates ONLY
DV Counseling Business FOR SALE
This business is fully functioning, thriving and ready for the right person to step in.
- Christian-based DV only facility, with potential to grow or add new therapies.
- Must be a Colorado Approved Counselor
Call (720) 277-3359 for more details
Share a story and let us know what recent events are new in your community!!
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Please DO NOT Reply to the new emails. If you reply, your email will go to a unmonitored email inbox. Please email cdps_dcj_training@state.co.us for questions.
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