In Unity, Hope Blossoms.

Covid impacted our community in many ways.  Domestic violence incidents increased—there were more stressors, social isolation, and limited resources during and after the pandemic. In addition, our community saw a huge turnover in mental health professionals, advocates working directly with survivors and their children, teachers and first responders. These trends continue today.

The goal of Reclaiming Hope: A Statewide Conference to End Domestic and Sexual Violence is to build capacity in our community to respond to individuals, children and families impacted by violence. This conference will be a call to action for everyone who attends about what we can do together to prevent, respond, and support those impacted by violence to begin healing — In Unity, Hope Blossoms.

This conference brings together IPV advocates, mental health professionals, social workers, medical professionals, educators, counselors, first responders, attorneys, survivors, and anyone working with individuals impacted by violence.

Reclaiming Hope is a collaboration between Child Saving Institute and our partners: Women’s Center for Advancement, Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, and Women’s Fund of Omaha.

Venue & Cost

Reclaiming Hope: A Statewide Conference to End Domestic Violence will be held at CHI Health Center June 27-28, 2024.

Cost: $100

Continuing Education Credits

The Reclaiming Hope: A Statewide Conference to End Domestic and Sexual Violence presented by Child Saving Institute will provide continuing education credits for licensed mental health professionals in Nebraska.

10.5 CEUs are available. Continuing education credits for other professions are pending approval.

Agenda

Thursday, June 27, 2024
8:15 AM - 9:00 AMRegistration + Breakfast
9:00 AM - 9:15 AMWelcome
9:15 AM - 9:30 AMA Peace of My Mind Project (APOMM) Introduction
9:30 AM - 11:00 AMKeynote
11:00 AM - 12:30 PMLunch + Networking
12:30 PM - 2:00 PMDid You Know That Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence Are Very Similar? with Andrea Edwards
12:30 PM - 2:00 PMAllyship for Survivor Inclusion & Leadership with Amber Jurgens
12:30 PM - 2:00 PMThe Intersection of Brain Injury and Intimate Partner Violence with Peggy Reisher
12:30 PM - 2:00 PMPartnering with Guardians ad Litem to Ensure Safety and Well-being for Children and Youth Experiencing Domestic Violence with Michelle Paxton
12:30 PM - 2:00 PMUnderstanding the Prison Rape Elimination Act 101 with Tia Manning
2:00 PM - 2:30 PMBreak
2:30 PM - 4:00 PMFrom Survivor to Advocate - Navigating the Road of Duality with Julie Lubisi
2:30 PM - 4:00 PMUtilizing a Facility Dog in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocacy with John Brazda and Laramie
2:30 PM - 4:00 PMCaught Up in the Storm with Kristina A. Lesley
2:30 PM - 4:00 PMLet the Light Shine with Tracy Astorino
2:30 PM - 4:00 PMCracked But Not Broken with RESPECT
4:00 PM - 4:30 PMVisit APOMM Studio
Friday, June 28, 2024
8:15 AM - 8:45 AMWelcome + Breakfast
8:45 AM - 10:15 AMDanger Assessment and Safety Planning with Victims of Domestic Violence with Porscha Howard
8:45 AM - 10:15 AMDomestic Violence: Impact on Immigrant Survivors with Savannah Robertson
8:45 AM - 10:15 AMSurvivors Rising: Survivor Leadership Panel with Amber Jurgens
8:45 AM - 10:15 AMThe Role of Extreme Risk Protection Orders in Victim Safety: What Advocates and Victims Need to Know with Katie Welsh
8:45 AM - 10:15 AMDomestic Violence and the Impact on Children
10:15 AM - 10:30 AMBreak
10:30 AM - 12:00 PMGender-Based Violence with Shannon Barber
10:30 AM - 12:00 PMDomestic Violence and How It Affects Marginalized Population with Porscha Howard
10:30 AM - 12:00 PMMen as Partners in the Movement to End Sexual and Domestic Violence with Elias J Bair and Dustin Bowers
10:30 AM - 12:00 PMHonor-Based Violence with Gina Khoudeida
10:30 AM - 12:00 PMCaught Up in the Storm with Kristina A. Lesley
10:30 AM - 12:00 PMDipa, DAPO, Damages: Civil Legal Rights for Survivors in Nebraska with Katelyn Cherney
10:30 AM - 12:00 PMHealing Homes & Sheltered Resilience: Empowering Survivors Through Housing with Brittany Parker
12:15 PM - 1:30 PMLunch + Keynote
1:30 PM - 3:00 PMViolence is NOT Our Tradition: Examining Historical Trauma, Cultural Abuse, and Response for Native American Survivors with Kirby Williams
1:30 PM - 3:00 PMSupporting Children Exposed to Domestic Violence with Meka Tate
1:30 PM - 3:00 PMCreating an Organization Where Humans Thrive with Jo Bair
1:30 PM - 3:00 PMProtecting your Balance: Managing Secondary Trauma when Offering Intimate Partner Violence Support with Katie Robbins
1:30 PM - 3:00 PMExpanding Our Lens: Responding to Mental Health and Substance Use Coercion with Amanda Lyons
3:00 PM - 3:15 PMBreak
3:15 PM - 4:00 PMKeynote

Refunds will no longer be granted as of June 14th, 2024

Featured Keynote

John Noltner

A Peace of My Mind is a multimedia arts project, created by award-winning photographer John Noltner, that uses portraits and personal stories to bridge divides and encourage dialogue around important issues. Through exhibits, workshops, lectures, on-site studios, and distance learning, A Peace of My Mind leads transformative experiences that help a polarized world rediscover the common humanity that connects us.

A gifted storyteller, Noltner has worked on four continents, gathering stories of human courage, grace, and resilience. He has produced projects for national magazines, Fortune 500 companies, and non-profit organizations. A Peace of My Mind reflects his belief that art and storytelling can help individuals, organizations and communities articulate their deepest values and encourage action toward building social capital and community connections.

Featured Keynote

Mildred Muhammad

Award Winning Global Keynote Speaker, Int’l Speaker for the U.S. Dept. of State, Certified Consultant w/U.S. Dept. of Justice/Office on Victims of Crime, BS in Psychology, Certified Domestic Violence Advocate, Domestic Abuse Survivor, Best-Selling Author, CNN Contributor, and Trainer/Educator. 

DomesticShelters.Org 2023 Purple Ribbon Lifetime Achievement Medallion Award

2022 Who's Who in America: Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award

Featured Keynote

Amanda Lyon

Amanda Lyon, MSW (she/they) is a Training and Technical Assistance Specialist at the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health, where she leads the Survivor Health Connections Consortium project. With a deep commitment to empowering survivors and their families, Amanda develops comprehensive training and technical resources tailored for behavioral health providers, domestic violence and sexual assault programs, hotlines, and coalitions. Her work aims to increase resource accessibility and effectiveness, ensuring survivors receive the support they need on their journey toward healing and empowerment.