Utah Criminal Justice Center (UCJC) & Office of Substance Use & Mental Health (OSUMH) present
How Being Trauma-Informed
Improves Criminal Justice System Responses
Developed for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA)
Gather,
Assess, Integrate, Network, Stimulate (GAINS) Center
Location: Virtual Meeting
Date: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM (MST)
Overview
This virtual training focuses on how trauma-informed approaches can strengthen responses within the criminal justice system. Developed for SAMHSA’s GAINS Center, the session helps new clinicians understand the impact of trauma on justice-involved individuals, explore resilience and vulnerability, and build practical, trauma-informed response skills through interpersonal communication exercises. Led by experts from the Utah Criminal Justice Center and the University of Utah College of Social Work, the event emphasizes applying trauma-informed principles to improve professional practice, outcomes, and system-level responses.
About the Presenters
Jessica Seawright, MSW, CSW, is a senior research analyst with the Utah Criminal Justice Center. She earned her MSW from the University of Utah and has 10 years of experience conducting qualitative and mixed-method research in collaboration with community partners. Jessica delivers trainig and individualized technical assistance to stakeholders to promote best practice with justice-involved adults in community treatment.
Rhiannon McDaniel, MSW, CSW, is a research analyst at the University of Utah College of Social Work in the Utah Criminal Justice Center. She earned her MSW at the University of Utah with an emphasis in forensics, and her Bachelor of Science in sociology from Brigham Young University. Her current work centers around gathering and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data around income-based health disparities, homelessness, and delinquency.