2022 PLAN VOCA Grantee Training
The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network is hosted the 2022 VOCA Grantee Training on May 24 & 25, 2022 at the Hilton Harrisburg, One North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
This was a free Continuing Legal Education (CLE) training geared towards Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) recipients and was open to all VOCA recipients who assist in providing legal services to victims of crime.
2022 Training Schedule |
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May 24, 2022 |
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| 8:45 am – 9:00 am | WELCOMING REMARKS/VOCA RESTRICTIONS Max Laun, PLAN & TBD, PCCD |
| 9:00 am – 10:30 am | Working with Limited English Proficient Clients (1.5 CLE) This session will cover challenges that come up when working with Limited English Proficient (LEP) victims of crime, including working with interpreters and translators, language access protections for survivors, and best practices for client counseling and representation. Lerae Kroon, Justice at Work and DeJonna Bates, Community Justice Project |
| 10:30 am – 10:45 am | BREAK |
| 10:45 am – 12:15 pm | 2019 Protection From Abuse Act (PFAA)/Changes to Firearms Statute (1.5 CLE) This training will cover the major changes to the PFAA protecting victims of domestic violence. The changes to the PFAA included changes to the firearms statute under the crimes code to safeguard victims from further gun violence will be included in the training. Lois Fasnacht, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence |
| 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm | LUNCH (ON SITE) |
| 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm | Working with Stalking Victims (1.5 CLE) Stalking is dangerous and traumatic; it is all about context, intent, and effect. Being able to assist victims in articulating their stalking experiences will provide them a better outcome in the civil and/or criminal justice system. Lois Fasnacht, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence |
| 2:30 pm – 2:45 pm | BREAK |
| 2:45 pm –4:15 pm | Holistic Representation: Serving the Whole Client (1.5 CLE) Exploring the skills, resources and mindsets necessary as advocates to help our clients reach their goals both inside and outside of the courtroom. Amber McGee, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, Amy Atwell, Philadelphia Legal Assistance |
May 25, 2022 |
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| 8:15 am -9:45 am | Sexual Violence and Protection from Intimidation Orders: Providing Options for Survivors In Pennsylvania (1.5 CLE) During this interactive workshop, participants will learn about these two different types of civil protection order options. Focusing on the Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence or Intimidation Act and related case law, presenters will describe how to present sufficient evidence in court to successfully obtain these orders which serve as effective tools to enhance the safety and protection of survivors. Andrea Levy and Karen Gailbraith, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape |
| 9:45 am – 10:00 am | BREAK |
| 10:00am – 11:00 am | SSI/SSDI 101 (1.0 CLE) This session will give you a basic overview of both programs with an emphasis on trauma as a basis for disability. Susan Michalik, MidPenn Legal Services |
| 11:00 am – 12:30 pm | Trauma Informed Lawyering (1.5 CLE) Lawyers often represent clients who have experienced trauma that is relevant to their legal matter. This session will cover the basics of trauma-informed lawyering by helping participants learn to identify trauma in their clients and by providing tools and guidance on how their practice can best support their client. Finally, the session will briefly touch on importance of practitioner self-care when assisting survivors of trauma and developing a trauma-informed practice. Danni Petyo and Kelsie Massini, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence |
| 12:30 pm – 1:15 pm | LUNCH (ON SITE) |
| 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm | Evidence for Family Law Cases (1.0 CLE) This course will discuss the use of evidence in Protection From Abuse (PFA), custody, and support cases, with a focus on electronic evidence. We will discuss the applicable rules of evidence and case law regarding collection and authentication of social media, phone, and other electronic evidence. Finally we will discuss best practices and strategies for admitting and using the evidence effectively, as well as the ethics of sharing evidence with a prosecutor. Arly Smith- Pearson and Lawrence Szmulowicz, Philadelphia Legal Assistance |
| 2:15 pm – 2:30 pm | BREAK |
| 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Crime Victims Compensation (1.0 CLE) In this training you will be provided with a basic overview of the Program (including eligibility criteria and available expenses), and information you need to assist someone in filing a claim. Michael Reich, Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) |
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