Events and Conferences

McGuire conference focuses on children impacted by trauma.
Violence in Our Culture: Its Impact on Children and Families
 
BILLINGS--The 19th Annual McGuire Memorial Conference on Family Violence is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, September 25 and 26, 2008, at the Billings Clinic - Mary Alice Fortin Health Conference Center, 9th Ave. No. and No. 27th St., Billings, Montana in Billings, MT.

OUTSTANDING PRESENTERS
James Garbarino, Ph.D., Director of the Center for the Rights of Children, Loyola University Chicago. He earned a PhD in Human Development and Family Studies, and is a Fellow of the American Psychological Assn. He served as consultant and adviser to the Natl. Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, Natl. Institute for Mental Health, American Medical Assn., the FBI, and others. In 1991, he conducted an assessment of the impact of the war on children in Kuwait and Iraq, and has served as consultant for programs that serve child refugees of war in other countries. He has authored or edited numerous books on topics including violent girls and boys and possible interventions, bullying, challenges in parenting, successful schools, abusive families, and others. He has received many awards for his efforts in child protection, public service, and humanitarian efforts from entities including the Kempe Natl. Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, American Psychological Assn., American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Natl. Assn. of School Psychologists.

Neil Websdale, Ph.D., is Professor of Criminal Justice at Northern Arizona University and Principal Project Advisor to and former Director of the National Domestic Violence Fatality Review Initiative. He has published work on domestic violence, the history of crime, policing, social change, and public policy. His social policy work consists of helping establish a national network of domestic violence fatality review teams. He has also worked on issues related to community policing, full faith and credit, risk assessment and management in domestic violence cases. Dr. Websdale trained as a sociologist at the University of London, England. His forthcoming book Familicidal Hearts is due to be published by Oxford University Press in 2009.

Judy Wang, J.D., Assistant City Attorney for Missoula, MT for over 20 years. Judy is a member of the Western Montana Legislative Committee and the Montana Fatality Review Team. She has taught on domestic violence for many years and received several awards for her service.

Allison Smith-Estelle, Ph.D., Directs Domestic and Sexual Violence Services of Carbon County, based in Red Lodge and is on the faculty of MSU-Billings. 18 years experience in domestic/sexual violence training, prevention and intervention in the US and Asia.

Barbara Bessette, student at MSU-Billings, studying Health Promotion, will share her personal experience with violence in a dating relationship.

Kelly Myhro, B.S., Training Coordinator for the Mt. Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence(MCADSV), helps develop goals for domestic and sexual violence prevention and intervention projects and coordinates their training and implementation. She worked for a behavioral health company, training staff and in client services. She also has worked as a volunteer for a rape and sexual abuse crisis center.

Nicole Ann Gray, a member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa-Cree Indians, Public Outreach Coordinator for MCADSV, provides training such as the Basic Advocate Institute, the Sexual Assault Advocate Institute and works on raising awareness of violence against women with disabilities. She previously worked for the Arctic Women-In-Crisis shelter in Alaska, providing domestic violence counseling, parenting classes, and family advocacy.

CONTINUING EDUCATION
CEUs are anticipated for Clinical Social Workers, Professional Counselors, Addictions Counselors, Attorneys, and POST Council.

For more information regarding the conference, contact Joy Mariska:  (406)252-3680 or email: jamariska@imt.net.

Click here to view and print a Brochure and Registration.
The form is a PDF file and requires AdobeReader to view it.

On Going Task Force Projects

• Annual McGuire Memorial Conference on Family Violence
  The annual McGuire Conference on Family Violence provides training for professionals working with victims in the community. Task Force members provide community education through public presentations and involvement in other conferences.
• Family Violence Resource Handbook
• Community Speakers Bureau Click here for info.
  The Billings Area Family Violence Task Force has a Speakers Bureau that offers a poignant presentation on Domestic Violence.  The presentation is offered to area schools, businesses, churches and other organizations in an effort to increase education and awareness of the realities of domestic violence.  Each talk lasts approximately 20 to 30 minutes and can be altered to fit the needs of your organization.   If you are interested in learning more about the presentation or if you would like to schedule speakers, please contact us at bafvtf.montana@yahoo.com or call Rhonda at 406-252-6303 ext. 44.
• Grant Development
• Public Relations
• Fund-Raising
• Community Resource Research
• Task Force Education Programs