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Hi, my name is Caroleena Frane and I am excited to serve as the new Program Coordinator for the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board! To think that 21 years ago I fell into the world of DV Offender treatment on accident - or as a carefully crafted plan by my then supervisor which is still up for debate. I was asked to sit in a Spanish speaking DV group and 2 hours later (yes, we used to run DV groups for 2 hours), I knew with great certainty that this is where I wanted to make an impact on this world. These clients were at the core of the DV problem, and helping them was going to improve their lives, the lives of victims, children and their communities. After working in larger mental health center settings I moved into private practice up in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, and 8.5 years ago I took a job at the DVOMB. At this point I have worked on every committee of the Board and have done a ton of implementation work with DV Providers and many stakeholders throughout the State. I am very excited to move into this new role and continue doing the important work of the DVOMB. Besides all of the responsibilities I have in this role, one of my major passions is to provide training and opportunities for growth and sustainability for all DV Providers. I know how hard you all work, and how this job sometimes can feel a bit thankless. Know that the DVOMB KNOWS how hard you work, and are proud to have you as a DV Provider doing such important work, and having a major ripple effect of benefits on this population, their victims, children and the communities of Colorado and the world. You all received an announcement identifying Reggin Palmitesso-Martinez as the new DVOMB Implementation Specialist. We are so lucky to have her and I look forward to you all meeting her in the near future, if you have not already. I will continue to have an open door policy, so please reach out, ask questions, and share about the awesome things you are doing!
Take good care and keep up the great work,
Caroleena
When: May 9, 2025
Time: 9:00AM - 1:30 PM
Where: 710 Kipling Street, Denver, CO, 80215, 2nd Floor Conference Room
Virtual Attendance Registration
Agenda will be sent one week prior to the meeting.
The DVOMB would like to recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. At the April board meeting, Board members and attendees were able to engage with posters featuring quotes from an article shared by the SOMB Victim Advocacy Committee, She waited decades to report her abuse. At 81, police say, he confessed. Please reach out to paige.brown@state.co.us if you would like a PDF copy of this article.
Additionally, Board members were encouraged to participate in Colorado Denim Day 2025. Colorado Denim Day 2025 is Wednesday April 30th, 2025. Please see below for a statement on the origins of Denim Day from CCASA.
“In 1999, a case in Italy came to worldwide attention when a young woman accused her 45-year-old driving instructor of brutally raping her during a driving lesson. He was sentenced to 34-months in prison before the case made its way to the Italian high court, where the sentence was overturned. The Chief Judge released a statement arguing that because the victim wore tight jeans, he assumed that she must have helped her perpetrator remove her jeans and, therefore, consented.
Enraged by the verdict, the women in the Italian Parliament launched into immediate action and protested by wearing jeans on the steps of the Italian Parliament building. This was the beginning of what has become a worldwide event and movement to wear jeans as a visible means of protest against misconceptions that surround sexual assault.”
The DVOMB encourages all to seek out Sexual Assault Awareness Month events in your communities and further learn how you can remain victim centered and support survivors of sexual violence.
On February 14th, 2025, the DVOMB elected Erin Gazelka to serve as the next Vice Chair of the DVOMB. Erin has served as the Chair of the Standards Revision Committee and as a member of the Application Review Committee. Erin is replacing Michelle Hunter who is now the Chair of the DVOMB since January 2025.
Erin Gazelka has been a forensic therapist since 2007, practicing as an LPC, LAC, and ADS. She is a Clinical Supervisor at Correctional Psychology Associates in Denver Metro and an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at University of Denver. She earned her Juris Doctorate in 2007 and her Master of Arts in Forensic Clinical Psychology in 2009. She joined the DVOMB in March 2019, listing as a FOL Approved Provider in June 2019. She is currently Chair of the Standards Revision Committee and serves on the Individualized Responsive Care Committee.
Judge Kolony Fields
Straight out of law school Judge Kolony Fields, started her career as a public defender in Jefferson County in 2004. She handled all types of cases from misdemeanors, juvenile delinquency matters, and felonies. She supervised our juvenile team towards the end of my time in the office. I was hired as a District Court Magistrate in Jefferson County in 2011. I had a diversified docket to include juvenile delinquency, dependency and neglect, domestic relations, adoptions, and civil. In my final year as a Magistrate, I oversaw most of the problem-solving courts in Jefferson County to include Recovery Court, Juvenile Mental Health Court, Veteran’s Treatment Court, and Adult Mental Health Court. As the judicial officer in charge of the problem-solving courts, I managed 4 separate teams and supervised four different problem-solving court coordinators. In 2019 I was appointed to the County Court Bench in Douglas County. I have since been assigned the role of Presiding County Court Judge and supervise our County Court Magistrates and work closely with the Chief Judge in assuring that our Courts run smoothly and efficiently. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to be a member of several different committees and boards. One such committee was a domestic violence task force to assess and determine what level of training judicial officers require regarding cases involving domestic violence and the dynamics, and impacts, of domestic violence on families and victims. Additionally, I have been fortunate to be part of the Judicial Peer to Peer coaching program. I have been a coach since the program’s inception in October of 2019 and remain a coach today. I am dedicated to my role as a Judicial Officer and am humbled by the opportunity to serve in this capacity every day. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board and am excited to begin this new endeavor. When I am not working, you can usually find me outside on a trail no matter the weather. I am an avid runner, and it is truly one of my greatest passions. When I am not running, or thinking about running, you can find me spending time with my family and two children. We enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities to include skiing, biking, and a variety of sports
Public Defender Chris Chino
Chris Chino was born in Norfolk, Virginia. He went to high school and college in New Mexico, having received his high school diploma from New Mexico Military Institute and graduating from New Mexico State University with a degree in journalism. After taking some time off from his studies to travel the country, Chris received his law degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law, with a focus on criminal justice reform. He holds experience representing clients charged with domestic violence and sex offense related crimes in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Colorado. Within his work as a public defender, Chris' focus is on providing legal representation to indigent clients and problem-solving to reach equitable resolutions that will lead to the rehabilitation and stabilization for those clients who need it. As a board member, Chris' focus will be on working with other board members and the DVOMB to pursue policies that properly address the needs of both those convicted of crimes of domestic violence and the victims of those crimes - while also making treatment and resources more accessible to those who struggle financially.
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The Colorado Division of Child Welfare is working to develop better practice guidance for County Departments of Human/Social Services (DHS) caseworkers for developing treatment plans when domestic violence has been identified within a family for whom there is an open child protection case, but there is no criminal justice system involvement. They want to create consistency in treatment plans to ensure offender treatment aligns with best practice competency standards.
Information gathering is crucial to understanding the presenting issues and perspectives of key stakeholders. To that end, Johnson and Wallace Consulting will be facilitating virtual focus groups with various professionals, including DV treatment providers (both DVOMB approved and others) who work with DHS referral cases.
As a DVOMB Approved Provider: 1) work with DHS referral cases (civilly involved clients), 2) are interested in taking part in a 2 hour virtual focus group, and 3) have not already submitted your name, please email Ellen@JohnsonandWallace.com with your contact information and any questions you have. The groups will occur in May or June based on participant availability. A certificate of participation for 2 hours of general CEUs will be provided to each focus group attendee.
Public Comment for Proposed Revisions to Standards Sections 9.0 and 10.0 regarding Criminal History
On April 11th, 2025, the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board (DVOMB) reviewed and approved revisions to Sections 9.0, 10.0 & the Administrative Policies related to criminal history to be sent out for public comment. At this time, the DVOMB is requesting public comments on these proposed revisions. The DVOMB is offering stakeholders the opportunity to comment. The DVOMB will be reviewing the public comments received at its next meeting scheduled for the May 9th, 2025 meeting.
What changes are being proposed?
The DVOMB has reviewed suggested language approved by the Attorney General's Office to update the proposed language regarding Provider and Applicant criminal history. These sections of the Standards are intended to provide language to help ensure Applicants and Providers are appropriate and safe to deliver work with Domestic Violence Offenders and promote Victim safety.
See the Proposed Revisions Regarding Criminal History – Sections 9.0, 10.0 & the Administrative Policies
Some noticeable changes include:
- Applicants and Providers will have to disclose any court-martial conviction.
- Not be party to any civil dispute that is related to the ability of the Applicant or Provider to practice under the Standards.
- To not use drugs or alcohol in a manner that would compromise the ability to practice under the Standards.
- Much language from section 10.0 and the Administrative Policies has been moved to other sections of the Standards and therefore removed from this section in order to avoid redundancy.
- "Conviction" is defined in the Administrative Policies.
- Notification within 10 days in writing of any issuance of any arrest, is now extended to also receiving a summons.
Public comments are considered anonymous and confidential. Any identifying information will be removed when presented to the Board. Please direct any comments, concerns, or recommendations to this response form by no later than April 29th, 2025, close of business. You may also direct feedback to Caroleena Frane via email at caroleena.frane@state.co.us.
2025 is Renewal Year!
Please note one change! The Application Review Committee has moved the renewal date to August 31st, 2025 to be consistent with the renewal deadline of the DORA. All Providers will have to input their updated DORA credential renewals in their DVOMB renewal application. The Standards Booster as well as the 2025 Renewal application will be released no later than June 2nd 2025. Please note we are waiving the requirement for the DVRNA booster for this renewal period. This will be noted in your application.
 If you are on Not Currently Practicing Status! Please remember you must submit a renewal application in order to retain your approval status. Also, please remember that in the Administrative Policies (Appendix D) of the Standards, section II, B, 4 states: The Provider may not remain under Not Currently Practicing status longer than two renewal cycles (4 years). Following completion and approval of the second renewal application, the Provider must either relinquish listing status completely or move to a practicing status.
Domestic Violence and Sex Offender Management Boards are accepting nominations for the following four (4) award categories. The awards are scheduled to be presented at the 2025 Annual Conference. Indicate on the Nomination Form which award you are nominating this person or organization for (please note that current DVOMB and SOMB Board members are exempt from being nominated). Submittal Deadline: May 9, 2025
Denise Fransua Domestic Violence Offender Management Leadership Award
This award will honor a person who exhibits the attributes of effective leadership in domestic violence offender management. This person should exhibit charisma, demonstrate exceptional compassion, dedication, be influential and driven to make a difference in either reducing the occurrence of domestic violence or making a difference in the lives of victims of domestic violence. His/her efforts should have resulted in positive change and significant contributions to their community or the state in domestic violence offender management. This award is appropriate for treatment providers, supervision officers, victim advocates, law enforcement, caseworkers, and other professionals responsible for domestic violence offender management.
Senator Norma Anderson Excellence in Victim Advocacy Award
This award will honor a person who exhibits excellence, innovation, or creativity in victim representation. This person should demonstrate exceptional compassion, dedication, and commitment to victims. This award is appropriate for victim advocates and representatives, victim therapists, law enforcement, and other professionals who work with or for victims.
Gary Burgin Sex Offender Management or Treatment Leadership Award
This award will honor a person who exhibits the attributes of effective leadership in sex offender management or treatment. This person should have respect among peers, and a high level of integrity. This person should promote collaboration, and his/her efforts should have resulted in positive change and significant contributions to their community or the state in sex offender management or treatment. This award is appropriate for treatment providers, supervision officers, caseworkers, researchers, and other professionals responsible for sex offender management/treatment.
John Davis Lifetime Achievement Award
The John Davis Lifetime Contribution Award is given each year to a professional in the sex offender management and treatment field who has had a long career of working with adults or juveniles who have committed sexual offenses. The recipient of this award is an individual who demonstrated a career of exceptional work in the area of sex offender management and treatment, and had a positive impact on the field.
Operation Skybound Pilot Project Wraps Up – Thank You!
We're pleased to announce the successful conclusion of Operation Skybound, a pilot project launched in July 2024 to test the revised Domestic Violence Risk Need Assessment-Revised (DVRNA-R). This initiative provided an opportunity to evaluate the updated manual, training materials, and scoring procedures in partnership with a dedicated group of volunteer Providers, Supervising Agents, and key stakeholders.
Over the past several months, we've collected valuable data and insights through monthly meetings and user feedback. The pilot will conclude with a final participant survey, after which we’ll compile a comprehensive summary of project outcomes and key findings to share at an upcoming DVOMB monthly meeting.
The results of Operation Skybound will guide future planning as we consider broader implementation of the DVRNA-R in 2026-27.
A heartfelt thank you to all who participated and contributed to the success of this important initiative!
Treatment Tip Corner
- Staff has received guidance regarding some available funding for interpretation services for clients on State Probation. If Providers have a client who is in need of an interpreter for DV services, please work with the referring Probation officer and ask them to seek funding through, “Language Interpretation Services.” All Chief Probation Officers have been notified of the availability of these funds, and the good news is that it does not cut into the budget of the local Probation office.
- On another note, when Providers select their Treatment Victim Advocate (TVA) in their PDMS profile or applications, please note if the TVA is not listed under the agency information of the Provider, that Provider will need to contact Staff Brittinie Sandoval and request the TVA be added with the Provider’s agency information.
- Lastly, if a Provider uses ReliaTrax, they will notice a change in your documents which require MTT consensus. Probation Officers have received guidance that they are not to endorse a clinical document, because they are not clinicians. Many Providers use signatures at the end of documents as a way to demonstrate consensus. The guidance given to Probation Officers has been for them to include the statement available near their printed name at the end of the document stating, “Consensus for initial treatment level placement/treatment level change/discharge has been reached by each MTT member.”
- Providers, please make sure you update your “Specialties” in your PDMS Profile. Now referral sources and clients can search the DVOMB Public list by specialties. Also remember if a Provider do not have a physical address listed in their Provider profile that is set to “publish,” their name will not show up in the public facing DVOMB Approved Provider list at all. In order to show up on the public facing Provider list, all Providers must ensure their address where they provide in person services is set to “publish”.
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Please forward this information to your Treatment Victim Advocates!
Queer Collaborative for 2SLGBTQIA+ Advocates - a place to connect for support, share ideas, or identify needs.
When: 3rd Wednesday of the month 11:00AM-12PM
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LGBTQIA+ Training Solicitation
Request a Roundtable
2025 Summit in the Rockies on Domestic Violence and Sex Offender Management
We are happy to announce that our Annual Conference will be held July 8-11, 2025 in Breckenridge, CO! The theme of the 2025 conference is "Evolving through Reflection: Teamwork, Compassion, Innovation." Registration will open April 28, 2025 and Early Bird Pricing will end May 31st.
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: October 20, 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: November 3, 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
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