Importance of Cultural Humility in Defense Work
June 14th, 1:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m
Lord Baltimore Hotel Salon E
Participants will have an interactive discussion on the meaning of culture and how cultural humility plays an integral part in building trust with clients. The session will further discuss how cultural humility relates to the family of origin and community dynamics. Participants will distinguish the difference between cultural competency and cultural humility. Participants will assess the best method to approach clients as experts in their culture and life experiences
Cessie Alfonso, LCSW
Cecilia “Cessie” Alfonso, LCSW, ACSW, CSW, is a nationally recognized expert in forensic social work, domestic violence and organizational development in the area of cultural competence and valuing diversity. For the past 20 years, Alfonso has provided social work and psychosocial assessments for civil and criminal attorneys across the United States and internationally. As a mitigation specialist, Alfonso and her associates have conducted over 700 mitigation investigations. Alfonso is an Afro-Puerto Rican/Cuban lesbian feminist who speaks of intersectionality from a personal and professional perspective.
Stephanne Thornton, MSW, M.Div.
Criminal Justice Specialist
Public Defender Corporation Resource Center
| Stephanne Thornton is the Criminal Justice Specialist for Public Defender Service’s Public Defender Corporation Resource Center where she assists public defenders across the state with research and mitigation. Stephanne conducts mitigation trainings and writes grants on behalf of Public Defender Corporations to further the holistic mission of indigent criminal defense. Through her grant writing efforts, Stephanne was able to create peer recovery coach positions embedded within Public Defender Corporations to assess and link pretrial criminal defendants to substance use treatment to reduce overdose risk and recidivism. Stephanne provides training and guidance to the recovery coaches, who are now employed by the Public Defender Corporations, and analyzes data collected from the project. Stephanne earned a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University Candler School of Theology, and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Georgia. Stephanne has been clinically licensed as a social worker and addictions counselor since 2004 and holds a Master Addiction Counselor certificate, is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, a Certified Addiction Counselor Level III, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Stephanne is also on the Trauma-Informed Care Network Speakers Bureau and presents on trauma, substance use, and self-care across the state and at national conferences as these topics intersect with the lives of criminal defendants and those who represent them. |