New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, Inc.

in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Health Office of Injury Prevention present Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 Time: 1:00-4:00 pm Location: Womens Intercultural Center- 303 Lincoln St., Anthony, NM

Protecting Students with Disabilities from Sexual Assault

Course Description:
This workshop is designed for educators; including teachers, counselors, school nurses, and advocates, who work with students with disabilities. Participants will develop an awareness of victimization of individuals with disabilities and how assumptions and attitudes toward disability can affect the outcome of services and education. Additionally, the participants will be presented with information on how to increase student safety and what to do if a student with a disability discloses sexual abuse.

Presenters: Scott Modell, Ph.D.

Dr. Modell is currently serving as the Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for the state of Tennessee. Previously, he spent 14 years as a Professor at California State University, Sacramento. Over the last 5 years, he served as Director of the universitys Autism Center for Excellence. He is an expert in disability etiology, characteristics, interview techniques, and abuse. He has authored five books and has over 100 published articles and abstracts. . He has received international recognition for his work in the area of disability abuse and interview techniques for individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition to his scholarship, Dr. Modell is widely recognized at the local, state, and national level for the provision of community-based services for individuals with disabilities. Through his community-based programs and public school experience, Dr. Modell has worked with thousands of children and adults with disabilities. He has been highly regarded in his community and throughout the country for his expertise, passion, and quality programs.

Course Objectives:
- Participants will gain an understanding of the risk and prevalence of violence against students with disabilities. - Participants will develop an understanding of the unique characteristics of students with disabilities that make them susceptible to abuse. - Participants will learn what educators can do to prevent students from being sexually assaulted and how to increase student safety. - Participants will learn how to effectively respond if a student discloses sexual abuse.

Katie Bridgewater
Katie Bridgewater has been a Project Coordinator for the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs since 2004. During this time Katie has been instrumental in the development and implementation of numerous educational trainings and victim service projects. She has presented both locally and nationally on a number of topics including: sexual assault and violence against individuals with disabilities. Prior to her work with the NMCSAP and DI, she served as the Executive Director and trainer for Family Strengths Network, a non-profit family education and support program.

This project was supported by the New Mexico Department of Health Office of Injury Prevention.
The NM Counseling & Therapy Practice Board has approved three Counseling Credit hours. The NM Social Work Board honors the Counseling Board Credits. Provider #0082091 Note: Please Bring Canned Food Item or Non-Perishable Food Item as a Donation to the Womens Intercultural Center Food Bank.

To register for this FREE training please contact Katie Bridgewater at 505-412-1872 or by e-mail at ktbridgewater@gmail.com