Richard Prebil, LASP Veterans Advocacy Project Staff Attorney, will present a virtual CLE on veterans benefits at the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network conference Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, from 10-11:30 a.m. The CLE is titled, "Navigating Disability Benefits for Veterans: Initial Application Through Appeals." Register at: https://palegalaid.net/plan-conferences.

Distance Learning CLE for attorneys

Trauma Informed Advocacy: What it Means, Why it Matters and Strategies for Engagement and Representation

Former LASP attorney Christine Zaccarelli will be among the presenters at a CLE Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. The CLE is open to:

• Pro bono attorneys who would like to participate and receive 1.5 free CLE credits in exchange for taking a LASP case pro bono. 

• LASP staff. LASP attorneys will receive 1.5 CLE credits.

Register in advance for this meeting: https://bit.ly/39F1CZt  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Presenters:

• Allie Dolan, LSW, Support Center for Child Advocates in Philadelphia

• Christine Zaccarelli, Esq., Chief Executive Officer, Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County

• Chelsea Melrath, Chester County ACES Coalition

Join us to learn about the benefit to your practice by shifting your mindset from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” Attorneys represent people who have experienced all forms of trauma. This training will present foundational information about trauma and its impact on the brain and body and will focus on providing real-world strategies to engage clients so as not to re-traumatize and to enhance their representation.

During the workshop the presenters will define trauma and the different types of trauma. Attorneys learn how the experience of trauma can create a prolonged stress response in clients and will learn how to identify the secondary effects this may have on brain development and functioning as well as physical and emotional health. The presenters will then apply this information to your practice and provide effective strategies for engaging with clients sensitively and reducing the potentially re-traumatizing aspects of court.