Annual Conference
Pre/Post Conference Institutes
Pre Conference Institute: The Intersection of High-Tech Stalking and Domestic Violence; Implications for SV Providers.
Wednesday, May 9, 20121:00PM-4:00PM
Cost: $60
Kimberley Wiley, MPA, Technology and Safety Program Specialist, Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
This three-hour workshop addresses the issues faced in the supervised visitation setting as it relates to the use of technology during and outside of visitation sessions. Applications for stalking and spying are readily available for little or no cost. They are easy found on the web on sites designed specifically for stalkers. Batterers may use these tools to install spyware on a survivor's phone or the child's phone during a brief visit. Gifts of smart phones and other mobile devices from the batterer may be delivered to the survivor or child preinstalled with tracking software or software used to remotely monitor all activities on the phone such as phone calls and text messages.
Batterers are also using technology to circumvent visitation orders but communicating with their children in ways such as via text message or using a private number to call so that the non-offending parent doesn't recognize the number on the child's call log. Social networking sites are also used to make contact or monitor the survivor's and the children's online and offline activities.
This workshop will be focused in three main topic areas of technology: phones technology, location devices and applications, and social networking platforms. Videos and technology demonstrations will be used alongside a high-energy lecture format. It is recommended for intermediate level attendees who are experienced in working with cases involving visitation. The description of the technology, however, will be presented in a format welcoming of non-techies and IT professionals alike.
Post Conference Institute: Parent Training And Support Service Providers (PTS) – Supplementing Supervised Visitation Services
Saturday, May 12, 20129:00AM-4:00PM
Cost $60
Linda Toporek, Parent Training and Support Specialist, Family Ties, LLC
Elizabeth Gibbs, M.D., Medical Director Chaos Recovery Management, LLC
Many visitation supervisors provide supportive and educational services immediately before, during, and after the actual supervision. However, these services are, also, being provided in between visits in the context of soothing a parent's concern, clarifying misinformation, preparing the parent for the next visit, mediating an appropriate visitation site or activity, or providing information to the other service providers working with the family. In certain situations, these can be opportunities for incremental change and growth. This 3 hour workshop will discuss an innovative approach to working with families involved in supervised visitation using Parent Training and Support Specialists.
A Parent Training and Support Specialist (PTS) works in conjunction with a co-parenting consultant or parenting coordinator to provide education and assistance to high risk families. The PTS Specialist serves families who have high levels of interparental conflict to which the child is exposed, accusations or concerns regarding safety, and lack the skills or the emotional state to effectively communicate and problem-solve. These families are involved with the Domestic Relations portion of the Family Court and are, frequently, ordered to have supervised visitation due to concerns of safety, alienation, abduction, reunification, or inadequate parenting skills.
The PTS Specialist uses these unique and cost-effective opportunities to provide a spectrum of training and support services. They are invaluable to the parents, the providers who work with high conflict families, the Courts, and, ultimately, to the children. It should be recognized and compensated as such provided the PTS Specialist has the appropriate training and experience to do so.