Product Description

Addiction is now understood by medical professionals to be a disease which changes the structure and functioning of the brain. And yet, there is still a public narrative of shame and blame that attaches itself to substance use. It is time to move from stigma to strength—in our practices, at our offices, and in our courts. Join us for a day of learning, brainstorming, and reframing about the biological basis of addiction, how to build a community that supports recovery, and what each one of us can do in our own roles to achieve our joint goal that every child, young adult, and parent is well.

*If you are registering as part of the Court Improvement Fund allocation, please register using the process outlined by your institution.*

Note: In-person attendance is capped for this Conference! Book now to guarantee your seat!

Agenda & Materials

• 9:30am - 9:45am

  Welcome and Introduction

  Cristina F. Freitas, Esq., Committee for Public Counsel Services, Children and Family Law Division , Lowell
  Debbie F. Freitas, Esq., Committee for Public Counsel Services, Children and Family Law Division , Lowell
  
• 9:45am - 10:00am

  Juvenile Court Chief Justice Address

  Hon. Dana Michal Gershengorn, Juvenile Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Brockton
  
• 10:00am - 11:00am

  Featured Address: The Biological Basis of Addiction as a Disease, its Connection to Trauma, and the Importance of a Systems Approach

  Dr. Ruth A. Potee, MD, Franklin County House of Corrections
  
• 11:00am - 11:15am

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 11:15am - 12:15pm

  Morning Breakouts
• Children and Family Law: Supporting Families in and Through Recovery (Auditorium)

  Dr. Elizabeth Peacock-Chambers, Baystate Health Systems, Inc , Springfield
  Cindy L. Benoit, Esq., Committee for Public Counsel Services, Children and Family Law Program , Springfield
  
• Delinquency/Youthful Offender: The Intersection of Trauma and Substance Use: Lessons in Supporting Youth

  Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Wakeman, Mass General Brigham , Boston
  Lisa M. Lana, Esq., Youth Advocacy Division, Committee for Public Counsel Services , Malden
  
• 12:15pm - 1:15pm

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:15pm - 2:15pm

  Recent Developments and Case Law Update

  Lisa G. Loveland, Esq., Department of Children and Families,Commonwealth of Mass Boston legal office , Boston
  Hon. Kerry Ann Ahern, Essex Juvenile Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  Hon. Carol A. Shaw, Hampden County Juvenile Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Springfield
  Jose R. Sanabria, Esq., Suffolk County District Attorney's Office , Boston
  Monica C. Murphy, Esq., Department of Children and Families, General Counsel, Commonwealth of Mass , Boston
  Sarah LoPresti, Esq., Committee for Public Counsel Services, Youth Advocacy Division Appeals Unit , Salem
  Ann Balmelli O'Connor, Esq., Committee for Public Counsel Services, Children and Family Law Division , Worcester
  
• 2:15pm - 2:30pm

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 2:30pm - 4:00pm

  Afternoon Plenary: Customizing a Success Plan With Your Clients

  Dr. Stephanie Tabashneck, Esq., Center for Law, Brain, and Behavior/Petrie Flom Center, Harvard Law School , Cambridge
  Michael Earielo, Everyday Miracles Peer Recovery Center , Worcester
  Reyna Ramirez, Esq., Ramirez and Sunnerberg LLC , Weymouth
  
• 4:00pm - 4:30pm

  Closing Statements

  Cristina F. Freitas, Esq., Committee for Public Counsel Services, Children and Family Law Division , Lowell
  Debbie F. Freitas, Esq., Committee for Public Counsel Services, Children and Family Law Division , Lowell
  

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Cochairs

Featured Speaker(s)

Faculty