9:00-10:30
Black Lives and Solutions
Moderators: Debra Warner
Panelist: Aquil Basheer, Jim McDonnell, Paul Acosta, Tory Johnson, Cheryl Moody
This panel focuses on the crisis we have today pertaining to police/law enforcement perceptions through a historic lens. It focuses on the history of minority and police perceptions along with community support and interventions. A discussion regarding BLM will be the focus with the differences regarding the movements with representatives from the Black Panther Party, police/law enforcement from different disciplines and a BLM representative. Question and answer session to follow.
1. How has the world today changed over the decades from your personal and professional experience?
2. What are the similarities and differences pertaining to the Black Panther Movement, Civil Rights, BLM and how does it affect community policing?
3. Why is this discussion important?
4. What do we do; how do we fix this?
10:30-11:00
Exploring or Exploited?: The Exchange Between Money & Sex
Andrew Pari, Julia Shiftman
Explore what ethical sex work means in a world that often frowns on “the oldest profession.” Experts in sex work and human trafficking discuss the history, motivations, legality, choice, and consent amongst modern-day sex workers. Understand the role you can play in addressing this complex and pervasive issue in the U.S., North America, and around the world.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will gain the definitions for sex work & trafficking.
2. Participants will have knowledge about sex worker history.
3. Participants will gain knowledge about 3 types of social policy addressing decriminalization.
4. Participants will gain knowledge about resources & organizations involved in sex work.
5. Participants will gain knowledge about how they can become involved and support sex work resources & policy
11:00-12:00
Suicidality and Depression: Assessment, Dynamics, Prevention, and Treatment
Michael Levittan
In 2018, more than 48,000 people committed suicide in the United States, which amounts to approximately 129 per day. Every hour, at least 5 people in this country are killing themselves and this rate has been slowly increasing for the last decade. This workshop presents the indicators and risk factors of suicidality, as well as the psychological, relational, and neurobiological dynamics of depression. Diagnostic and assessment instruments of both depression and suicide are reviewed and applied in case studies. Causes of suicide are explored, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, sexual harassment and assault, isolation, bullying, etc. Unique perspectives to understand and manage symptoms are presented. Lastly and most importantly, specific moment-to-moment interventions of treatment are delineated to help patients work-through depression and suicidal feelings.
Learning Objectives
1. To review relevant data on suicidality with respect to year, age, ethnicity, gender, etc.
2. To describe risk factors and indicators of suicide, in terms of both immediacy and severity.
3. To provide definitions, theories, and psychological, relational, and neurobiological dynamics of depression.
4. To describe various perspectives of symptoms of depression, with particular attention given to probabilities of suicidality.
5. To explore underlying causes of both depression and suicide.
6. To provide a treatment plan, as well as practical interventions for treatment of suicidality.
7. To provide methods to facilitate the mourning process of losing a family member or close friend to suicide.
12:00-12:30
Introduction to Services: The Keepers of the Children
Sonny
Bikers Against Child Abuse, Inc. (B.A.C.A.) exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. We exist as a body of bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. We stand ready to lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization. We work in conjunction with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization, and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation and our physical presence. We stand ready to shield these children from further abuse. We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle.
12:30-1:30
California’s Racial Justice Act (RJA)
Adam Vining
The Racial Justice Act became law on January 1, 2021. The act seeks to remedy disparities in charging and sentencing practices. While the law as it stands only applies to current and future criminal cases, another pending bill seeks to make it retroactive. The presentation will address if and how the RJA works.
1:30-2:00
Trauma Inclusive Healing: Pivoting from Broken to Wholeness
Crystal Hernandez
Trauma occurs far too frequently in marginalized populations, impacting life courses. This session will discuss ways to move from broken to wholeness, altering the physical, emotional, psychological, and social health of the individual. "We lose our choice and voice, when trauma occurs." We seek to recapture the power of individuals impacted by trauma.
2:00-3:00
Microaggressions: What are they and what can we do about them?
Cris Scaglione
This interactive talk will define microaggression and its physical, social, and psychological effects. Further discussion will focus on strategies to reduce microaggressions and their impact. Will involve lecture plus group discussion. Suitable for anyone with an interest in microaggression, including students and professionals.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the definition and nature of microaggression.
2. Identify the many costs of microaggression to our physical and mental health, and society at large.
3. Recognize the many ways in which we, and others perpetuate microaggressions.
3:00-3:30
How Can Leaders Support Social Change in 2021?
Felicia Reed
In this open dialog discussion, we will discover ways in which leaders in various positions and roles can embrace and support social change during this time of opportunity. We will discover what is working and share insight on specific practices and concepts of societal change management.
3:30-4:30
Rape Kits and the Power of Truth
Moderator: Debra Warner
Panel: Paul Acosta, Tristin Engels, Kandee Lewis
Rape kits have helped overturn many cases of the wrongfully convicted and have also assisted with finding justice for survivors. However, many people do not know how and why the rape kit was developed and how it assists law enforcement and attorneys. This panel will explore the origin of the rape kit from the granddaughter of the creator and learn its need in the investigative system. It will discuss the topic from many different professional perspectives and also examine why there are over 400,000 still unprocessed rape kits.
1) What are rape kits and why are they so important for your area of expertise?
2) From your background and experience, why were there so many wrongly convicted individuals and what does that do to the survivors (the victim and falsely accused)?
3) Why are there so many unprocessed rape kits?
4) Is there a multicultural component to this topic?
5) Is there anything currently being done that can make this a better process?
6) In your opinion, what should be the focus of this community/global collaboration to assist with change?
4:30-5:00
Trauma, Resilience, and Psychological Interventions for Latinx Survivors
Lorena Vasquez
During the training to become psychologists, we learn the basic tools required to assist others. Depending on the clinical skills, basics isn’t necessarily the only resource that we need. Recognizing the trauma, resilience, and the psychological interventions, is important, it is also important to understand the cultural baggage the person brings to treatment.
5:00-5:30
Closing Remarks
Moderators: Debra Warner and Aquil Basheer
Closing Speakers: Robert Hernandez and Dulce Acosta
The closing ceremony will discuss the nature of the 7th annual SCRIPT conference and this year’s theme of Community Collaboration. The 2020 Hope Awards will be given, followed by the closing address and remarks.
5:30-6:00
Book Signing: “Pasado de Él, Historia de Ella”
Debra Warner, Rosa L. Rodriguez, Lorena Vazquez Santiago, Olivia Garcia, Elizabeth Munoz Islas, Alma Lopez, Lorena Rodriguez and Erica Solis
Pasado de Él, Historia de Ella es el primer libro que explora el impacto del abuso sexual infantil masculino en las relaciones de adultos. Se dirige en ayudar a ambos la pareja de sobrevivientes del trauma y profesionales de salud mental, el libro está escrito desde la perspectiva única de la Dra. Debra Warner, una líder norteamericana en psicología forense en el campo del trauma masculino quien está casada con un sobreviviente al trauma.
Dra. Warner es una de las pocas mujeres especializadas en trauma masculino, comparte ambas perspectivas su historia y la de su esposo, según ellos pasan por el camino de la recuperación y sanación. Utilizando la sabiduría que ha obtenido desde la experiencia tanto personal como profesional, ella le provee una dirección manos a la obra, considerando ambas perspectivas: esposa y psicóloga forense para ayudar a los sobrevivientes y a sus parejas a mejor hacia la relación rica y satisfactoria que ellos merecen.
Para los profesionales de salud mental, este libro representa un recurso innovador que explora en detalle el fenómeno del trauma masculino y los problemas asociados. Contiene una recopilación amplia de artículos por psicólogos líderes y profesionales que trabajan en el campo del trauma masculino y las relaciones.
6:00-6:30
Self-Care Lab Presents: Using Exercise to Address Past Trauma
Nita Watson
Exercise is not only good for physical health, but for mental health as well. It helps improve depression, builds self-esteem, allows for social interactions, increases control of impulsive behaviors, and reduces stress and anxiety. This interactive workshop will teach the fundamentals of exercise and show the impact it can have on the body and mind. You will not want to miss this!
6:30-7:00pm
Happy Hour
We will miss our party at the Revolving Lounge but this is sure to be a blast!
So, grab your favorite beverage and join us for a virtual Happy Hour.
PRE-CONFERENCE
WE are back on zoom!!
DAY ONE
July 16th
Pre-Conference July 9
Main Conference July 16 & July 17
*All programs have a 30-minute Q & A to follow
*Please ask for our Relaxation and Decompression Room if needed throughout the day.
9:00-9:50
Moderators: Debra Warner and Aquil Basheer
Keynote: Blake Chow
The opening ceremony will discuss the nature of the 7th annual SCRIPT conference and this year’s theme of “Embracing Social Change Through Leadership”. The conference opener will have speakers from the community and application of the conference to the life roles we interact in.
10:00-11:00
Male Empowerment & Trauma Reduction, The Connect!
Aquil Basheer, Tommie Rivers, Nikko Deloney and Barbara Jett
We will establish the effect trauma and compound trauma has on the empowerment of the male. I will illustrate how trauma and the lack of negation of said trauma destroys the ability of the male to establish a sphere of greatness and self-respect. We will also go into the components of what establishes manhood, (all three stages, male, boy, man).
11:00-12:30
The FBI’s Role in Protecting Communities: How We Do It and the Ways in Which We Respond
Keynote Panel: Federal Bureau of Investigation
Moderator: Matrice Hawkins
Panelist George Boykins and Vanya Voivedich
The FBI is a premier national security and law enforcement organization. Our mission is to protect the American people and uphold the U.S. Constitution, and we accomplish the mission by gathering evidence, solving cases to enforce U.S. federal laws, and preventing attacks against the United States. In addition, we also provide a range of services and resources to our partners and the general public. This presentation will address the FBI’s role in protecting communities, how we do it, and the ways we respond to violent crimes, human rights violations, and the support we provide to victims and their families.
12:30-1:00
Judaism and Mental Health
Raymond Nourmand
Judaism views mental health problems as related to the functioning of one’s soul. The soul craves to be nourished by truth. Society makes it challenging for people to see the truth. Dr. Nourmand will talk about the importance of seeking truth, implications for therapists and mental health issues as well.
1:00-1:30
Overcoming Obstacles and Living Your Dreams
Carol Sligh
Having a "community" is a hidden component to those who are successful in attaining their goals and those capable to endure. It can be as small as a circle of family and friends or as large as an entire city, group or local organization.
No man is an island, and no one ever was created to be or do it alone. The greater the obstacles the more vital is your community. This workshop addresses the importance of having a community and identifying how to develop and fortify your personal community.
1:30-2:30
Building Blocks for Social Justice: One Organization’s Experience
Jim Struve, Richard Smith, Uma Dorn
MenHealing is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide healing resources for adult men who have experienced sexual victimization during childhood or as adults. Our mission to help male survivors heal requires us to address the intersectionality of sexual violence with cultural context and toxic social/political issues. This presentation will focus on three building blocks that are fundamental to our organizational aspiration of grounding our work in principles of social justice, with congruence between expressed values and acts of solidarity with others in the movement for social justice and racial equity. The format for this session will consist of an initial framing conversation between MenHealing staff and affiliates, brainstorming sessions with participants and the presenters, and an opportunity for knowledge exchange and shared practices on ways social service organizations and mental health practitioners are engaging in social justice work.
2:30-3:00
Governing Diversity Leadership in Media: Innovating Access and Accountability
Danielle Green
How does diversity leadership connect with governance and the digital communication industry? In August of 2011, President Barack Obama issued an Executive Order 13583: “Establishing a Coordinated Government-Wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce. In 2012, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) published plans to carry out the President’s directive. On April 24, 2017, Chairman Ajit Pai announced his intention to form a new federal advisory committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment. This Committee gave advice and recommendations to the Commission regarding how to empower disadvantaged communities and accelerate the entry of small businesses, including those owned by women and minorities into the media, digital news, and audio and video programming industries. In 2020, Former President Donald Trump, reversed diversity and inclusion efforts by introducing Executive Order 13950 on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping which barred federal agencies, federal contractors, and recipients of federal grants from conducting diversity and inclusion training.
This talk will discuss diversity initiatives in the digital communication age outside of government in which cable companies such as A+E Networks and its counterparts are advancing efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion from a leadership commitment to building relationships through outreach with business trade associations, community organizations, and talent development programs. It will also examine the challenges posed by industry standards that prevent access to opportunity for BIPOC communities as well as areas of innovation to ensure that disadvantaged communities are not denied a wide range of opportunity by current and next-generation media executives.
3:00-3:30
Promoting a Healthy Community through Trauma-Informed Leadership
Melinda D. Meshad
This presentation will provide an overview of the impact of adversity and trauma creating a state of fear, negative behaviors and impaired relationships while linking core principles to resilience and positive community involvement. It will discuss how leadership can utilize these principles within agencies and in the community, creating positive social change that includes shared empowerment.
3:30-4:00
Leading through the Lens: A Pivot to Digital Leadership
McCall Hall
The Covid-19 pandemic forced numerous social service agencies to pivot to digital means for success after years of in-person methods to serve their populations. For many social service leaders, closing the digital divide and leading through it became the ultimate test while producing valuable learning.
4:00-4:30
Impact of Academic Scholarships on the Persistence of First-Generation Low-Income Latinos Attending Public Universities in Southern California
Mercy Willard
A presentation of findings from a study utilizing Yosso’s critical race theory and Bourdieu’s social capital theory to examine the impact of academic scholarship programs on the persistence of first-generation low-income Latino students at public 4-year universities in Southern California. It sought to determine how academic scholarship programs contribute to the development of financial and social capital and the persistence of first-generation Latino students. Data were gathered by surveying first-generation low-income Latino students attending public 4-year universities in Southern California who were scholars in an academic scholarship program.
Additionally, interviews were conducted with five survey respondents to further understand the nature of the programming offered by the academic scholarship program, the value they perceive such programming to have, and how they perceive their success in the academic scholarship program to be evaluated. Findings demonstrated that academic scholarship programs do contribute to the acquisition of financial and social capital for first-generation low-income Latino students and hence their persistence. They also demonstrated that while academic scholarship programs support the acquisition of dominant forms of social capital, they play a pivotal role in the persistence of low-income Latino students in the absence of culturally relevant pedagogy at universities.
4:30-5:00
Putting Grief Into Action
Deborah Nelson
My youngest daughter, Monique Roxanna Nelson, was killed on December 14, 2010, protecting her two-year old son during a gun battle between two rival gangs. During my journey to recovery, I found an organization called Moms Demand Action that provided me with the opportunity to become a leader for the gun safety movement. This presentation will focus on my personal journey and what Moms Demand Action offers to eradicate the culture of violence that currently exists in this nation.
5:00-5:30
Make it or Bake it: Recipes For Transitional Foster Youth-A Book Signing
Sonya Carey, Debra Warner, and Serena Hamilton
Make It or Bake It is a cookbook for everyone, but it was written specifically for foster youth to assist their journey of healing and independence. Many foster youths do not gain the social and life skills needed for adult life while they are in the foster system. Once they are out of the foster system, they are left to learn what they lack on their own. The author, a former foster youth herself, wrote this book from her heart and her desire to help other displaced individuals. Food symbolizes nurturance, safety and the essence of life. Learning the skill of cooking for oneself and others can help heal the wounds of abuse and trauma and assist in continuing the journey toward a positive, healthy and productive life outcome. This book is for all foster youth and anyone who has ever felt displaced and lost. The message of this book says you are SPECIAL, and you can BE and DO ANYTHING!
5:30-6:00
Minority Psychology Today
Successful Brim, Dominique Lloyd
Founded in 2019, the Minority Psychology Network (MPN) is committed to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health in minority communities through education and expanded access to culturally competent behavioral health providers. MPN’s mobile mental health unit, launching this spring, will bring culturally competent behavioral health care providers directly into underserved Los Angeles neighborhoods.
6:00-6:30
“Bullying and Cyberbullying: How to be an upstander in your communities.”
Sarah Cruz, Karyna Gonzalez
Our workshop goals will include educating the youth on the following: how to seek support, current trends, cyberbullying and bullying information, bullying laws, and the effects of bullying. We will also address case studies of bullying incidents that led to new laws being developed. The conference objectives align with our goals as we will be providing youth with skills and strategies to empower themselves and peers about bullying and cyberbullying. We will model for them how to be upstanders, ask for help, advocate for themselves and peers. Youth will learn how to use their voice in regards to bullying and cyberbullying. Youth will have the opportunity to engage with presenters by participating in activities throughout the presentation. Most importantly youth will learn how to “Rise Up Against Bullying!”.
6:30-7:00
Self-Care Lab Presents: Using Exercise to Address Past Trauma
Nita Watson
Exercise is not only good for physical health, but for mental health as well. It helps improve depression, builds self-esteem, allows for social interactions, increases control of impulsive behaviors, and reduces stress and anxiety. This interactive workshop will teach the fundamentals of exercise and show the impact it can have on the body and mind. You will not want to miss this!
7:00-7:30
Happy Hour
We will miss our party at The Revolving Lounge but this is sure to be a blast! So, grab your favorite beverage and join us for a virtual Happy Hour.
Day two
July 17th
SCRIPT
Summit on Community Resilience, Intervention, Prevention, and Training
STOP THE STIGMA
Friday, July 9th
6:00-8:00
Asian Perspectives in Today’s Climate: Promoting Community Change and Unity
Moderator: Debra Warner
Panelist: Blake Chow, Eric Kung, Jorge Wong, and Cindy Kao
Due to current life circumstances, there has been a substantial increase in discrimination towards Asian communities. This panel will discuss the topic pertaining to discriminatory behavior, stereotypes and ways to promote change while embracing the Asian community. Question and answer period to follow.
1. Reflecting on today’s society, what key events have had the most reflection for you?
a. Do you think COVID-19 has contributed to your experience?
2. What are some myths about Asian culture that can be seen as discriminatory?
3. Have the recent events in today’s society affected our views across generations?
a. Have there been behavioral changes in Asian and non-Asian cultures?
4. How can we promote unity and change within all communities?
The SCRIPT Conference