The Regional Juvenile Defense Initiative (RJDI) was a grant-based project that contracted with two social service workers to work with youth in Benton/Franklin County Juvenile Court.  The training videos below were created under the grant as a resource for future social workers and attorneys.

For Social Workers

This training provides insights on how to be an effective forensic social worker. This includes covering the roles of a forensic social worker, explaining various work product methods such as eco-maps, and unpacking common ethical dilemmas. 

Presenters: Maren Willins (LCSW), Simmie Baer (JD), Molly Hennessey (LICSW), Paola Herrera (MSW, LSWAIC), and Connie Lopez (OPD Social Service Worker)

Materials: PowerPoint, Handbook, Presenter Bios

For Attorneys

This training aims to equip attorneys with the knowledge they need to bring social workers onto defense teams in a way that is ethical, effective and sustainable for clients, attorneys and social service providers. It will also provide the tools attorneys need to communicate and manage the defense team. While this presentation focuses on youth defense, the topics will be applicable for any practitioner working alongside social service providers.

Presenters: Maren Willins (LCSW), Simmie Baer (JD), Molly Hennessey (LICSW), Paola Herrera (MSW, LSWAIC), and Connie Lopez (OPD Social Service Worker)

Materials: PowerPoint, Presenter Bios

NOTICE: This project was supported by Grant #2020-ZE-BX-0004 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice.