UNEASY ALIGNMENTS: THE MENTAL HEALTH TURN IN THE AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM

Join the University of Maryland's Journal of Health Care Law & Policy and the School of Social Work's Daniel Thursz Social Justice Lecture Series as we discuss the use of legal coercion to force compliance with mental health interventions across various areas including child welfare, families, and criminal legal systems. We will consider the consequences of these therapeutic interventions, including the effects on communities and families. We will also consider how social workers and lawyers can critically reflect and respond to these developments.

ORDER OF EVENTS

Location: The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, Westminster Hall (515 W. Fayette St., Baltimore, MD 21201)

10:00 am - 10:15 am: Guest Arrival (continental breakfast will be provided)

10:15 am - 10:30 am: Opening Remarks

Stephanie Vangellow, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Health Care Law & Policy, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

Peter Danchin, J.S.D., Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development, Jacob A. France Professor of Law, International and Comparative Law Program, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

Corey Shdaimah, LLM, Ph.D., Daniel Thursz Distinguished Professor of Social Justice, University of Maryland School of Social Work.

10:30 am - 12:00 pm: PANEL ONE - Theoretical Framework. Discuss concepts that led, sustain, and challenge the integration of mental health considerations and interventions within potentially coercive legal systems.

Moderator: Richard Boldt, J.D., T. Carroll Brown Professor of Law, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

Panelists:

Michael Sinclair, MSSW, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Morgan State University School of Social Work.

Chrysanthi Leon, J.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Delaware.

Inbar Cohen, MSW, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Child and Youth Rights Program of the Minerva Center on Human Rights; Law Faculty, Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Break (lunch will be provided)

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm: PANEL TWO - In the Community. Analyze the multiple tensions that arise within legal institutions and other social service agencies, in balancing empathy and individual needs with concerns that arise from the community, recognizing the heterogeneity of community stakeholders such as local government, law enforcement, mental health providers, homeowners and businesses.

Moderator: Hope Randolph, Law Student; Journal of Healthcare Law & Policy Symposium Chair, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

Panelists:

Ruth Shefner, MPH, MSW, Ph.D. Student, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health.

Lewis Bossing, J.D., Senior Staff Attorney, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law.

Shelly Wiechelt, MSW, Ph.D., Chair and Associate Dean, University of Maryland Baltimore County School of Social Work.

2:30 pm - 2:45 pm: Break

2:45 pm - 4:15 pm: PANEL THREE - In the Home. Explore the reach of the mental health turn, understood broadly as all facets of intervention aimed at well-being and behavioral change, into intimate areas of family life. This includes intimate partnerships, parental relationships, and child and adolescent development.

Moderator: Korey Johnson, J.D., Ph.D. Student, Morgan State University.

Panelists:

Linda-Jeane (LJ) Mack, MSW, Ph.D. Student, University of Maryland Baltimore School of Social Work.

Chaz Arnett, J.D., Associate Professor of Law, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

Laurie Graham, MSW, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Iris Cardenas, MSW, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Maryland School of Social Work.

4:15 pm - 5:00 pm: Break - Transition to the School of Social Work

Location: The University of Maryland School of Social Work, Auditorium (525 W. Redwood St., Baltimore, MD 21201)

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm: PANEL FOUR: Where to? Consider how current and future professionals should think about and assess whether, when, and how to engage with and shape the intertwining of mental health services and interventions with legal system encounters.

Moderator: Corey Shdaimah, LLM, Ph.D., Daniel Thursz Distinguished Professor of Social Justice, University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Panelists:

Inbar Cohen, MSW, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Child and Youth Rights Program of the Minerva Center on Human Rights, Law Faculty of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Leigh Goodmark, J.D., Co-Director of Clinical Law Program; Marjorie Cook Professor of Law; Director of the Gender Violence Clinic, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

Ariya Hayes-Lawson, MSW Student, University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Courtney Bergan, Law Student, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm: Reception (refreshments will be provided)

OPPORTUNITY TO EARN CE CREDITS (For Social Workers)

The University of Maryland School of Social Work Office of Continuing Professional Education is authorized by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners to sponsor social work continuing education programs and maintains full responsibility for this program. We are also approved to offer CE to Licensed Counselors and Psychologists in Maryland. It is suggested that all other Licensees check to see if an Accredited School of Social Work is approved in their state. This training qualifies for up to 6 Category 1 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Successful completion of this activity requires your signature on the sign-in sheet, participation in the entire activity, Signature on the sign-out sheet, and completion of an evaluation form. If you have any questions, please email us at cpe@ssw.umaryland.edu. We will not honor any certificate requests after one month from the date of the program.

Please register for BOTH the Symposium and the CE credit opportunity through the Eventbrite Checkout. You must also register for the CE opportunity through the School of Social Work. The link is provided at Checkout.