Event Teaches First Responders, Law Enforcement about I/DD
RMHS, along with DPD, City Attorney and District Attorney, Are Hosting the One-Day Course
If the victim of a crime has an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD), it’s important for law enforcement and first responders to know how to communicate with him or her from the crime scene to the court room. Knowledge is critical to a successful prosecution.
The Denver Police Department, Denver City Attorney’s Office, Denver District Attorney’s Office, Rocky Mountain Human Services (RMHS) and the Colorado District Attorney’s Council are hosting a workshop for paramedics, prosecutors, firefighters, law enforcement and victim advocates to learn best practices when working with someone with I/DD. The event will be Friday, May 10, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is free to participants. It includes:
An overview of I/DD
Training on proper first response tactics
Personal stories from a panel of individuals
A case study of a woman with I/DD who was sexually assaulted
The day starts with RMHS Trainer Georgia Jolomi’s presentation on the spectrum of disability, a brief overview of relevant Medicaid waivers and RMHS programs. She will also talk about interdisciplinary teams of professionals that are often involved in the lives of people with I/DD who can help in a proceeding if their client has been victimized.
RMHS Service Coordination Manager Melissa Emery and Denver Police Sgt. T.J. Blair will then present about proper first response. They will discuss do’s and don’ts and important factors to take into consideration when working with a victim with I/DD.
The morning concludes with a panel of individuals who have experience with I/DD in their lives. The panel will include two parents of children with I/DD, two individuals with I/DD and one service provider.
After lunch, participants will learn through a case study of a woman with I/DD who was sexually assaulted.
Several district attorney offices, nonprofits, sheriff departments and organizations representing Denver, Boulder, Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties are expected to attend.
To register for the event, RSVP to linda.loflinpettit@denvergov.org.
