2023

                                                                     V-STEP ADVANCED WEBINAR TRAININGS

                                    (scroll down)

                                     Training Descriptions and registration is on Eventbrite

                                     To register: click below on "Register Here"

       ALL TRAININGS  are LIVE VIRTUAL and EASTERN STANDARD TIME (EST)

Trauma-Informed organizations are built upon the understanding that trauma can manifest behaviorally and the collaboration across systems is important to link individuals to trauma-informed services/treatments to increase their ability to recovery. The process to becoming a trauma-informed organization is incremental and often begins...

Gabriela Wasileski, Ph.D.

PART I

Register Here!

Tuesday, May 9 ~ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Monday, August 14 ~ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

PART II

Register Here!

Tuesday, May 16 ~ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tuesday, August 15 ~ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

LISA FERENTZ: 4 Part Training Session

Lisa is a recognized expert in the strengths-based, depathologized treatment of trauma and has been in private practice for 36 years. She presents workshops and keynote addresses nationally and internationally, both live and online, and is a clinical consultant to practitioners and mental health agencies in the United States, Canada, and UK and Ireland.

Lisa Ferentz, LCSW-C DAPA  ~ The Ferentz Institute

Part I: Trauma Informed Assessments
Register Here!
Monday, May 8  ~ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Part II: Understanding Dissociation in Traumatized Clients
Register Here!
Tuesday, June 20  ~ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
Part III: Treating Addictive Behaviors in Traumatized Clients
Register Here!
Friday, July 28  ~ 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Part IV: Moving From Post-Traumatic Stress to Post-Traumatic Growth
Register Here!
Thursday, August 24 ~ 1:00 AM - 3:00 PM EST

THE SCIENCE OF WELLNESS: SELF-CARE & HEALING TRAUMA

We've all heard the clinical saying, Stress is a Silent Killer. Actually Stress is not silent and it need not be a killer at all. Self-care improves your ability to help...  This modified 5 hour training (1.5 hour break for lunch) will teach victim service advocates the science of self-care and healing trauma and...

Jedidiah D. Smith PhD, CHHP LLC

Register Here!

Tuesday, May 30 ~ 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM EST (BREAK 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM)
Monday, June 26 ~ 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM EST (BREAK 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM)

IMMIGRANT YOUTH - INTERSECTION OF HOMELESSNESS, VICTIMIZATION   NEW!

Immigration cases involving youth are even more complicated and implicate sensitive issues beyond those encountered in adult cases. With sharp increases in the numbers of unaccompanied immigrant youth entering the United States, state courts and victim advocates play a critical role in these youth protections.

Gabriela Wasileski, Ph.D.

Register Here!

Monday, May 22 ~ 9:00 AM -11:00 AM EST
Tuesday, June 27 ~ 9:00 AM -11:00 AM EST
Tuesday, September 12 ~ 9:00 AM -11:00 AM EST

TRAUMA SERIES - 4 Part Training Session
Dr. Michael F. Barnes, MAC, LPC
Part I:  Neurobiology, Memory, & Symptoms of PTSD (3 hours)

Register Here!

Tuesday, May 23 ~ 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Part II:  Understanding The Cause & Symptoms of Developmental/Complex Trauma (3 hours)

Register Here!

Tuesday, June 13 ~ 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Part III:  Secondary Trauma and It’s Impact on Individual Family Members and entire Family Systems (3 hours)

Register Here!

Tuesday, June, 20 ~ 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Part IV:  Compassion Fatigue and the Cost of Caring for Mental Health Professionals (3 hours)

Register Here!

Thursday, June 29 ~ 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

COMPASSION FATIGUE & SELF CARE: Techniques to Counterbalance the Intensity of Your Work and Facilitate Resilience

Working with victims of crime can be both one of the most rewarding and challenging careers. It is rewarding because one has the opportunity to help others when they are most vulnerable. However, it can also be very challenging because one will be exposed to other people’s pain and suffering on a regular basis...

Heather L. Pfeifer, PhD, VASIII

Register Here!
Wednesday, March 29 ~ 9:00 AM -12:00 PM EST
Wednesday, April 12 ~ 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST
Wednesday, April 26 ~ 9:00 AM -12:00 PM EST
Wednesday, May 10 ~1:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST
Wednesday, June 21 ~1:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST

BASICS OF INVESTIGATING: Sexual Child Abuse Cases

Child sex abuse cases are often extremely difficult to investigative in part because of corroborating evidence and challenges with victims. The first purpose of a child abuse investigation is to ascertain the safety of the child and then to obtain the information necessary to resolve issues and....

David A. Betz
Register Here!

Friday, February 10 ~ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST
Wednesday, March 22 ~ 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST
Friday, May 12 ~ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE PREVENTION: Addressing Gender and Implicit Bias
The importance of having a clear understanding of gender-based violence and how it can be effectively addressed cannot be understated. This training will look at the complexities of gender-based violence and how they affect the general population...
David R. Thomas, Program Manager, International Association of Chiefs of Police
Register Here!
Thursday, January 26 ~ 9 AM – 11:30 AM
Thursday, April 27 ~ 9 AM – 11:30 AM

CYBER-VICTIMIZATION
Cyber-victimization will be defined and victimization patterns examined. Emotional, social and financial impact of cyber-crime on individuals, organizations, and society will be examined. Reasons and motivations of cyber-victimization, and patterns of future cyber-victimization  will be...

Melvin de la Cruz, Ph.D., M.A., M.P.A.

Register Here!

Wednesday, April 19 ~ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Monday, May 15 ~ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
Wednesday, May 17 ~ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Wednesday, June14 ~ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
Friday, June 16 ~ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST

PHYSICAL ABUSE AND SHAKEN BABY INVESTIGATION

Child abuse is one of the leading causes of death in children between one and four years of age and often unrecognized until death or serious injury occurs. An unprotected and abused child is frequently re-injured. On occasion, children are taken away...

David A. Betz

Register Here!

Wednesday, February 22 ~ 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST
Friday, April 7 ~ 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST
Wednesday,  May 24 ~ 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST

FROM TRAUMA TO TRUST: POLICE-COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE

This training provides an in-depth overview of the groundbreaking work being done by Equal Justice USA in cities across the US. From Trauma to Trust: Police-Community Collaborative engages local law enforcement with the communities they serve in facilitated discussions identifying how trauma manifest in the lives of both.

David R. Thomas, Program Manager, International Association of Chiefs of Police
Register Here!

Thursday, April 13 ~ 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST

UNDERSTANDING GRIEF AND LOSS: Supporting Those in Grief  NEW!

Do you work with people who suffer from the loss of a loved one?  Are you a grief informed professional?  Ever wonder what to say and how to work with clients who are grieving?  Then this is the training for you.  Come learn what grief does to a person, recognize the stages of grief, how to help a person through their grief.... 

Debbie Bradley, C.A., VASIII
Register Here!
Thursday, January 19 ~ 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Tuesday, February 7  ~ 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Friday, March 17  ~ 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

INVESTIGATIONS and AWARENESS OF ABUSIVE IMAGERY CASES & ACTIVE KILLER CASES

(Child Pornography)

Learning that a child may have been harmed by abusive images can be overwhelming for any caregiver or family member. Victims of those who produce images of child exploitation can experience a range of thoughts, feelings..

David A. Betz
Register Here!

Friday, March 10 ~ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST

Friday, April 21  ~ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST

VICARIOUS TRAUMA AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS

It explores the potential impact these factors can have on us both collectively and individually. It then goes on to explore how community partners can effectively communicate, collaborate, and cooperate in order to best serve the public, engage in wellness practices within our perspective entities.

David R. Thomas, Program Manager, International Association of Chiefs of Police

Register Here!

Thursday, March 16 ~ 9:30 AM - 11:30 PM
Thursday, May 18 ~ 9:30 AM - 11:30 PM

DEATH NOTIFICATION: Breaking the News with Compassion

Death notification is acknowledged to be one of the most difficult tasks faced by law enforcement officers and other professionals. For most people, first learning about the death of a dear family member or close love one will, most likely, be the most traumatic event in their life.  Few professionals have received either classroom or experiential training in death notifications...
Debbie Bradley, C.A., VASIII
Register Here!
Wednesday, June 21 ~ 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES   Revised Version!  new information offered
This updated workshop introduces participants to the concept of ethics and ethical standards when working with victims of crime. Utilizing case scenarios, participants engage in group discussion and small group activities that will help to broaden their understanding of the ethical dilemmas faced when working with victims of crime, the impact these can have on victims and providers and the impact unethical behavior can have on organizations...

Debbie Bradley, C.A., VASIII

Friday, June 23 ~ 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM EST

registration coming soon!

VICTIM CERTIFICATION  PROGRAM (Informational Session)
This one hour informational workshop will provide a brief introduction of the basic steps to becoming a certified victim assistance professional in Maryland...

Debbie Bradley, C.A., VASIII
Register Here!

Thursday, April 20 ~ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST
Wednesday, May 17 ~ 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM EST
Wednesday, June 28 ~ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST

Please contact us to schedule a webinar training

      Anne Milun Litecky, Program Coordinator (410) 837-5055 or alitecky@ubalt.edu​

 ________________________________________________________________________________________________

RVAAM curriculum has been approved for selected professions (e.g. law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole) Participants will receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and are welcome to ask for academic credits. V-STEP Regional Victim Services Advanced Trainings are held in all 5 regions across Maryland, and online.

If you would like to host or schedule a V-STEP training in your community or online, please contact Anne Litecky, V-STEP Program Coordinator.
 ________________________________________________________________________________________________

TRAINING DESCRIPTIONS

(additional trainings available)

CHILD ABUSE CRIMES: ADVANCING YOUR KNOWLEDGE -3 Part Training Session
Dave A. Betz
Part I: Basics of Investigating: Sexual Child Abuse Cases (4 hours)
Part II: Physical Abuse and Shaken Baby Investigations (4 hours)

Part III: Victim interviewing (4 hours)

"NEW" TRAUMA SERIES - 4 Part Training Session
Dr. Michael F. Barnes, MAC, LPC
Part I:  Neurobiology, Memory, & Symptoms of PTSD (3 hours)
Part II:  Understanding The Cause & Symptoms of Developmental/Complex Trauma (3 hours)
Part III:  Secondary Trauma and It’s Impact on Individual Family Members and entire Family Systems (3 hours)

Part IV:  Compassion Fatigue and the Cost of Caring for Mental Health Professionals (3 hours)

COMPASSION STRESS MANAGEMENT: TECHNIQUES TO COUNTERBALANCE  THE INTENSITY OF YOUR WORK AND FACILITATE RESILIENCE

Heather L. Pfeifer, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Director, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program
School of Criminal Justice, University of Baltimore

Working with victims of crime can be both one of the most rewarding and challenging careers. It is rewarding because one has the opportunity to help others when they are most vulnerable. However, it can also be very challenging because one will be exposed to other people’s pain and suffering on a...

LISA FERENTZ : TRAUMA AND CLIENTS  4 SESSIONS

(2 HOUR SESSIONS)
Lisa Ferentz lisa@theferentzinstitute.com
 Session I: Trauma Informed Assessments  
Session II: Understanding Dissociation in Traumatized Clients    
Session III:  Treating Addictive Behaviors in Traumatized Clients       
Session IV: Moving From Post-Traumatic Stress to Post-Traumatic Growth    

​
CYBER-VICTIMIZATION

Melvin de la Cruz, Ph.D., M.A., M.P.A. 
Assistant Professor
School of Criminal Justice, University of Baltimore
Cyber-victimization will be defined and victimization patterns examined. Emotional, social and financial impact of cyber-crime on individuals, organizations, and society will be examined. Reasons and motivations of cyber-victimization, and patterns of future cyber-victimization  will be identified and analyzed. Types of secondary issues and behavioral risks derived from cyber crimes will be presented.  Participation in the criminal justice system decision-making, victim services and restitution, and restorative justice initiatives are all a part of the discussion.

EXPLORING THE DYNAMICS AND EFFECTS OF SECONDARY VICTIMIZATION ON FAMILIES OF CRIME VICTIMS
Heather L. Pfeifer, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Director, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program
School of Criminal Justice, University of Baltimore
This workshop presents the third piece of artwork in the Illuminations portfolio, in which “J” addresses the question “how did this (e.g., child sexual abuse) affect your family?” It allows participants the opportunity to explore the concept of secondary victimization, the varied responses to trauma within the family, and how those responses can exacerbate or mitigate the negative effects of trauma for the victim.

IMMIGRANT CRIME VICTIMIZATION

Gabriela Wasileski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Director, Bachelor in  Science in Criminal Justice Program
School of Criminal Justice, University of Baltimore
Within the crime victim population, there is a subgroup of victims that has been identified as uniquely vulnerable. Victims that lack legal migration status are subject to great potential. With language and cultural barriers, as well as lack of knowledge about the legal system, they fear that in seeking law enforcement protection...

INTEGRATED  ADDICTION TREATMENT: HELPING CLIENTS & FAMILIES
Michael F. Barnes, Ph.D., MAC, LPC
Chief Clinical Officer,

Foundry Treatment Center, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

For years, addiction treatment professionals have been clearly stating that addiction is a family disease, while failing to treat it in a systemic fashion. What has made the treatment of addiction even more complicated is the realization of the wide-spread co-occurrence of trauma and addiction in those suffering with the disease. While addiction treatment providers are recognizing the need for trauma informed addiction treatment for individual clients, there has remained a gap in clearly articulating a process for integrating trauma and addiction treatment for clients and especially for their family members.

CRIME VICTIMS and HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Gabriela Wasileski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Director, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
School of Criminal Justice, University of Baltimore
This workshop presents the opportunity to explore the causes and consequences of trafficking in human and to provide clear and guided information across a broad spectrum of trafficking related issues.

LEADERSHIP DURING AND AFTER COVID-19: INSIGHTS INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPASSION FATIGUE AND ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH
Michael F. Barnes, Ph.D., MAC, LPC
Chief Clinical Officer,
Foundry Treatment Center, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

This presentation will focus on assisting treatment leaders to better understand the sources and symptoms of burnout and vicarious trauma on employee and organizational health. The first half of the program will focus on compassion fatigue education from a leadership perspective. This will include discussions of compassion fatigue basics, a look at the sources and long-term implications of organizational trauma...

HOW TRAUMA-INFORMED PROVIDERS IMPROVE CRIMINAL  JUSTICE SYSTEM RESPONSES

Gabriela Wasileski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Director, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
School of Criminal Justice, University of Baltimore

DIALOGUE WITH A VICTIM: A CASE STUDY

Heather L. Pfeifer, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Director, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program
School of Criminal Justice, University of Baltimore

Illuminations is a portfolio of artwork and companion written materials created by two brothers who were sexually abused by the same offender during their childhood. The boys’ desire is that by sharing their story, it can help to broaden others understanding of the experience and behavior of victims in the aftermath of trauma, and the impact such experiences has on a victim’s family, thereby enable participants to know how to respond in a more empathic manner when working with the victim.

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES TRAINING
Debbie Bradley, C.A., VASIII

MD Certification Coordinator

This workshop introduces participants to the concept of ethics and ethical standards when working with victims of crime. Utilizing case scenarios, participants engage in group discussion and small group activities that will help to broaden their understanding of the ethical dilemmas faced when working with victims of crime, the impact these can have on victims and providers and the impact unethical behavior can have on organizations.

HOW TRAUMA-INFORMED PROVIDERS IMPROVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSES
Gabriela Wasileski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
School of Criminal Justice
Director, B.S. in Criminal Justice program

Although prevalence estimates vary, there is consensus that high percentages of justice-involved women and men have experienced serious trauma throughout their lifetime. The reverberating effects of traumatic experiences can challenge a person's capacity for recovery and pose significant barriers to accessing services, often resulting in an increased risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system.

MARYLAND VICTIM ASSISTANCE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (MVSCP)

Debbie Bradley, C.A., VASIII
MD Certification Coordinator

What does it mean to be a Certified Victim Assistance Professional in Maryland? 
This brief introduction will provide the basic steps to becoming a certified victim assistant professional. Learn how service providers in other states are using certification to their benefit. Becoming certified is easy! 

• Certification Processing
  
• Certification application assistance
• Qualification preparation
• Information gathering
• Qualification Processing
• Time and space for filling out certification application
  

 Refer toCERTIFICATION TABfor further details​

TRAINING REGIONS​

• Northern Region Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County 
  

• Western Region Allegany County, Garrett County, Washington County 
  

• Central Region Anne Arundel County, Frederick County, Howard County, Baltimore City 
  

• Southern Region Calvert County, Charles County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, St. Mary’s County 
  

​

• Eastern Region Caroline County, Cecil County, Dorchester County, Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Somerset County, Talbot County, Wicomico County, Worcester County 

ACADEMY FACULTY & STAFF

Dr. Debra L. Stanley
Executive Director

dstanley@ubalt.edu

Anne Milun Litecky

Program Manager
​alitecky@ubalt.edu

​

Cherie Peay

Program Coordinator

cpeay@ubalt.edu

Faculty:

Dr. Heather L. Pfeifer

hpfeifer@ubalt.edu

Dave Thomas

law.thomas.dog@gmail.com

Dr. Gabriela Wasileski

gwasileski@ubalt.edu 

Dr. Mel de la Cruz

mdelacruz@ubalt.edu

​

Debbie Bradley

Certification Coordinator

bradleyd@harfordsheriff.org 

Francis Beirut Poblete

Technician

francisbeirut.poblete@ubalt.edu

Contact Us

410.837.5055

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS!