|
Hi, my name is Jesse Hansen and I am excited to serve as the new Program Manager for the Office of Domestic Violence and Sex Offender Management. I have put together a message about me, the vision for the DVOMB and SOMB, and next steps for how to connect. Please note that Caroleena Frane has been promoted into my former role as the DVOMB Program Coordinator. Like many of you, I have the utmost confidence in her abilities to build strong partnerships with community stakeholders, advocate for evidence-based practices, and inspire teams through a commitment to compassionate leadership. She will be sharing her own message in the next publication of the Quarterly Minute. Stay safe, take care of yourselves, and Happy New Year!
Best,
Jesse Hansen, MPA
When: February 14, 2025
Time: 9:00AM - 1:30 PM
Where: 710 Kipling Street, Denver, CO, 80215, 2nd Floor Conference Room
Virtual Attendance Registration
Guest Presentation: Holding Boundaries - Relational Insights from UK and the US in Domestic Abuse Perpetration Change Facilitation Research (1 Hour of Training Credit)
Zuzana Žilková, PhD Researcher, Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse, Durham University - Zuzana (Zuzka) is a PhD researcher at Durham University (UK) Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse where she studies the relational aspects of men’s change away from abuse. Alongside being involved in VAWG since 2005, she worked at the intersection of tech and research for Microsoft and with Unilever and GlaxoSmithKline. She holds a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania focusing on pro-social behavior change.
On January 10th, 2025, the DVOMB elected Michelle Hunter to serve as the next Chair of the DVOMB. Michelle has served as the Vice-Chair of the DVOMB as well as the Co-Chair of the Application Review Committee. Michelle is replacing Stephanie Fritts who has served as the DVOMB Chair since January of 2021.
Michelle Hunter represents the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) and works with the Division of Adult Parole as a Community Parole Team Leader supervising offenders with sexual convictions. Michelle has been with the CDOC-Parole for approximately 15 years and has worked in the Criminal Justice system for 25 years, including juvenile corrections, private probation, DUI probation, and background investigations. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Additionally, she has a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from Marymount University and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University-Global Campus.
New DVOMB Standards and Guidelines Now Available Online!
The newest version of the DVOMB Standards and Guidelines are now available online! These updates reflect the most current research, best practices, and advancements to support professionals in delivering high-quality, evidence-based services. Whether you’re a practitioner, stakeholder, or community partner, the DVOMB Standards and Guidelines provide essential guidance to ensure consistency, accountability, and excellence in the field.
Access and download the new DVOMB Standards and Guidelines today. Stay informed, stay survivor-centered, and continue making a positive impact!
Public Comment for Proposed Revisions to Section 6.0
On January 10th, 2025 the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board (DVOMB) reviewed and approved revisions to Section 6.0 - Treatment Contract and Confidentiality, to be sent out for public comment. At this time, the DVOMB is requesting public comments on these proposed revisions. The Board is offering all stakeholders the opportunity to comment and the Standards Revision Committee (SRC) will be reviewing the public comments at the February 7th, 2025 meeting.
What changes are being proposed?
The SRC has worked diligently to centralize administrative processes of treatment contract and confidentiality into Section 6.0, and remove redundancies of language throughout the Standards on these topics. This section is intended to provide language to help support the Provider to be clearer with domestic violence offenders regarding confidentiality, limits of confidentiality, and requirements of the treatment contract. Some noticeable changes include:
Administrative details informing the offender of costs, releases of information and explaining to the client their right and potential costs of refusing treatment:
- Explaining the progress and duration of treatment, and how progress is measured
- Responsibilities of the offender and the Provider are outlined
- Language requiring offender to take care of any prior financial obligations related to evaluation and treatment, and that the client may be responsible for financial obligations for treatment for the victim and secondary victims
- Supportive language for Providers regarding the use of THC in clients that is problematic
- Language prohibiting offender to utilize AI to any aspects of evaluation and treatment, and to never record sessions
- Language creating firm boundaries around how offender may not treat the members of the MTT
- Language extending the responsibilities of the offender if they participate in teletherapy
- Updated language regarding releases of information
Access and Review the Proposed Revisions Regarding Section 6.0, Treatment Contract and Confidentiality
Public comments are considered anonymous and confidential. Any identifying information will be removed when presented to the Standards Revision Committee and the DVOMB. Please submit any public comments by no later than January 30th, 2025, close of business. You can direct feedback to Caroleena Frane.
Do the DVOMB Standards and Guidelines apply even in cases when the domestic violence flag is dropped as part of a plea and the defendant is still referred for a domestic violence evaluation?
Pursuant to C.R.S.18-1.3-204(2)(a)(15), courts have the authority to stipulate probation conditions if it finds treatment reasonably related to the defendant’s rehabilitation, community safety, or the goals of probation. Defendants who are ordered to undergo domestic violence offender treatment shall comply with the DVOMB Standards and Guidelines even if:
- The domestic violence offender enhancer/tag has been removed, or
- The domestic violence case is dismissed or dropped.
After such an outcome in their court proceedings, DV offenders are often upset and even angry when they learn of a sentencing order requiring them to complete DV treatment. Providers are encouraged to explain to offenders that the court process is not always reflective of the need for treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact Caroleena Frane.
2025 Annual Legislative Report
We are excited to share the DVOMB 2025 Annual Legislative Report. This comprehensive report fulfills the Board’s statutory obligation to annually provide insights and updates to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees.
Key Highlights
The report covers the DVOMB’s work during FY 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024), including:
- Treatment Competency Updates: Evidence-based revisions to the Standards and Guidelines.
- Teletherapy Insights: Findings on using teletherapy for domestic violence offender treatment.
- Client Outcomes: First full year of data on treatment and discharge trends.
Legislative Recommendations
The report also identified several areas requiring legislative consideration to strengthen domestic violence prevention and intervention efforts in Colorado. These include:
- Summarizing U.S. v. Rahimi and the statutory impacts of Kayden’s law.
- Exploring specialized domestic violence parole caseloads.
- Enhancing safety for DVOMB providers.
Celebrating Key Accomplishments
The report also highlights DVOMB’s significant achievements in FY 2024, which include:
- Successfully meeting reauthorization requirements.
- Advancing the Provider Recruitment and Retention Project.
- Strengthening community and stakeholder engagement.
- Launching the inaugural Provider Survey and Field Assessment.
- Piloting the Domestic Violence Risk and Needs Assessment-Revised (DVRNA-R).
- Implementing extensive training, policy updates, and provider management activities.
We invite you to explore the full report to learn more about the impactful work being done and the road ahead. Stay informed and engaged by visiting the DVOMB webpage before the end of January 2025 to access the full report.
Imagine stepping into an arena, not with words, but with movement, energy, and trust. Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) offers a powerful, hands-on approach to emotional growth and healing—one where horses become partners in the therapeutic journey. Unlike traditional therapy, EAP is all about experience. Clients work alongside professionals and horses in groundwork-based activities, using the horse’s natural instincts and reactions to explore power, control, trust, communication, and emotional resilience.
Horses are highly intuitive animals, responding to non-verbal cues and emotions in real time. Their reactions often mirror the same patterns clients experience in their daily lives—whether in relationships, personal struggles, or emotional challenges. This creates an immersive, in-the-moment learning experience that is deeply impactful.
What can individuals in domestic violence offender treatment gain from EAP:
- Overcoming Fear & Building Confidence – Horses’ size and strength create a natural challenge that encourages bravery and self-assurance.
- Strengthening Boundaries & Communication – Learning how to approach, guide, and interact with a horse translates to better personal and professional relationships.
- Developing Trust & Emotional Regulation – Horses respond to emotions honestly, helping clients become more aware of their own reactions and triggers.
- Processing Trauma & Breaking Patterns – Through guided experiences, clients recognize harmful cycles and begin to create new, healthier responses.
- Enhancing Decision-Making & Accountability – Every action with a horse has a consequence, teaching cause-and-effect thinking, responsibility, and problem-solving.
In domestic violence treatment, EAP offers a disarming, vulnerable, and self-regulating experience. Whether working directly with horses or discussing key concepts in the arena, participants gain critical life skills such as:
- Power & Control Awareness
- Boundaries & Healthy Relationships
- Accountability & Responsibility
- DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) Skills
- Generational Trauma & Pattern Recognition
With each session, clients and horses walk the path toward healing together—one step at a time.
Want to Learn More? Check out these expert resources on Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Patti Mandrell, LPC – Introduction to Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Activities)
Providers! Remember that as of January 1st, 2025 ends the six month implementation period for the new core treatment competencies - Standards section 5.05, II. Many Providers have seen a new suggested scoring scale for the core treatment competencies of 0-1-2. PThis new scoring is more of a risk reduction model that measures if a competency is not a treatment target (0), possible treatment target (1), or continues to be a treatment target (2). If using this new scale, please report on progress in the narrative of your monthly report. Approved Providers are NOT required to utilize this new scale and if you would like to continue using a likert scale to report on progress, you may do so. To learn more, the Provider Hub has a recorded training on the core treatment competencies.
We are excited to announce the provider specialty option in the Provider Data Management System will now be shared on the Approved Provider List! You will see a list of options you can select from now under the tab “Specialties” which is found under Languages in your provider account. While we do not monitor a provider’s selected specialty, we encourage you to add them if it is an area you have competency in. These specialties will also be included in the Provider Listings. Reach out to Brittinie Sandoval if you have any questions!
LGBTQIA+ Training Solicitation
Request a Roundtable
Advanced Series Training
The LATTICES Program for High-Risk Criminal Clients
Description: What treatment is appropriate for a violent individual who is known to promote prostitution and is then caught abusing his “girlfriend?” What to do with the client who has committed theft, assault, and sex crimes? This presentation will cover the LATTICES program for high-risk offenders, co-developed by Diana Groener, MA, LPC and Jane Ward, PhD. This is a research-based psychoeducational program for adult male clients who have a history of committing sex offenses, intimate partner violence, sex trafficking, and/or other crimes of exploitation or instrumental violence. LATTICES groups can be offered in a variety of settings and agencies that address gender-based violence.
Many sections of the lecture will be interactive. The communication style in LATTICES is distinct; time will be spent reviewing and practicing various aspects of this unique approach. The LATTICES mnemonic will be taught, the curriculum will be introduced, and a typical group session will be reviewed in detail. Working with this collection of clients may be challenging: countertransference and staff burnout will be addressed, as well as the importance of staff building aspects of a resilience mindset to counteract burnout.
Grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy and incorporating the Risk-Need-Responsivity Principles of Effective Intervention, the LATTICES program gives a fresh approach to success with this difficult population.
Upon completion of this session, attendees will:
- understand some of the unique qualities of the LATTICES program
- have an appreciation for the Responsivity issues for
- antisocial/psychopathic/criminally-oriented clients
be familiar with the concepts of Verbal Judo and Tough Compassion
Speaker Information: Diana Groener, a Licensed Professional Counselor, has worked with violent offenders of various types in outpatient settings since 1997. She has extensive experience working with both domestic violence and sexual violence offenders as well as with criminally-oriented and psychopathic offenders. She developed a treatment program for Intimate Partner Sexual Violence offenders. She is the co-author of LATTICES: An Integrated Treatment approach for High-Risk Forensic Clients. She has presented at the state and national level on a variety of topics, such as vicarious trauma, high-risk offender treatment, Internet access for sex offenders, and on multiple topics specific to domestic violence offenders.
Date: April 17, 2025
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
IN PERSON ONLY
Location: PPA Event Center
2105 Decatur Street, Denver, CO 80211
Cost: $40
Audience: All professionals working in this field
Please refer to our TRAINING POLICY for more information on who may attend this training.
Registration will open soon!
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: February 18th, 2025
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: March 18th, 2025
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
Share a story and let us know what recent events are new in your community!!
Join a Committee | Attend a Meeting | Become a Provider
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.
|
