DVOMB Quarterly Minute
October 2020
Next DVOMB Meeting
October Board Meeting
The DVOMB is continuing to meet virtually and the next meeting falls on October 9th, 2020. There will be 2.25 hours of training credit offered at the next Board meeting. We hope to see you there! 
What – Agenda
When – October 9th, 2020
Time – 9:30AM – 1:30PM
Where – Online Only Via WebEx (Click here to Register)

Approved Board Minutes
 
August Minutes – Click Here
July Minutes – Click Here
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)! This month serves as a reminder to reflect on why this work is important. This year has brought unthinkable challenges. With the stay-at-home orders, unemployment, and other destabilizing factors, the novel COVID-19 pandemic in many ways is the perfect storm for intimate partner violence and abuse. As summarized in this article by Evans el al. (2020), communities here and around the world have referred to this as a pandemic within a pandemic. The DVOMB extends its appreciation to those providing direct services whether you are an Approved Provider, a Supervision Officer, or a Treatment Victim Advocate. This is a critical time and you have been instrumental in Colorado’s response during this pandemic.

DVAM also represents an opportunity to raise awareness in your community about domestic violence and how to engage others in the movement to make our communities safer. Think about how you might be able to support the campaign in your community or with people outside of work.

Here are some things you might consider doing in recognition of DVAM:

  • Share this video by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence with your social circles and start a conversation.
  • Violence Free Colorado has resources here to get involved.  
  • You can also find materials for DVAM here.
DVOMB Updates and Guidance in Response to COVID-19 
The Division of Criminal Justice, Office of Domestic Violence and Sex Offender Management (ODVSOM) has been monitoring the COVID-19 virus and assessing the situation along with its impact. In light of the increasing COVID-19 cases, Providers who submitted a Teletherapy or E-Therapy Variance and received an approval letter from the DVOMB staff have approval to continue conducting treatment and evaluation services under the variance and adjustment period until December 31, 2020. There is no need to submit any additional paperwork as this extension is automatic. While the goal of this period is to transition back to face-to-face services, the DVOMB understands this may not be possible for all providers or clients. As we monitor the situation, the DVOMB may grant another extension of the Teletherapy or E-Therapy Variance prior to December 31, 2020. Should the DVOMB choose to decline a subsequent extension of the variance, Providers will have the option of individually requesting an extension to continue providing Teletherapy or E-Therapy services beyond December 31, 2020.

For more information, please click here
Planned Power Outages Affecting DVOMB Online Systems


Yes, we paid our electric bill! The State Information Technology team is working on making major electrical updates to our Data Center and we anticipate power being fully out at 690 Kipling during these two time periods:

  • 5:00PM, Sunday, Oct. 4 to 8:00AM, Monday, Oct. 5
  • 5:00PM, Sunday, Oct. 11 to 8:00AM, Monday, Oct. 12

During this time, our providers and all other stakeholders will not have access to the DVOMB website including the Approved Provider Lists. The impact should be minimal given the short project timeframe. However, we recommend that you download a copy of the Approved Provider List beforehand as a precaution.

We appreciate your understanding while our State Office of Information Technology team makes the necessary updates to assure our systems continue to run smoothly. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
Special Notice about Scammers Targeting DVOMB
Approved Providers

It has come to the attention of DVOMB Staff that two Approved Providers have been targeted by a sophisticated scam to commit fraud. The scammers contacted these Providers and falsely represented themselves as local law enforcement officials. The number shown on the caller ID indicated that it was a non-emergency number of the local law enforcement agency. Further, they informed the Provider that they failed to appear at a court hearing and were being cited with fines of $2,500 and $3,500. Please note that these scammers used detailed information of the Provider’s home address and the actual names of local law enforcement officers and judges to appear realistic. The scammers were also convincing in referencing municipal code and statutes.

If you are contacted by anyone who is representing themselves as law enforcement and is seeking payment for fines, please contact your local law enforcement directly to verify and pending citations and report this information.

The Office of Domestic Violence and Sex Offender Management has also notified the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for their awareness. 
If you have any questions or have additional information to share, please feel free to contact Jesse Hansen via jesse.hansen@state.co.us
Policy Update

The DVOMB approved revisions to Section 1.0 of the Standards along with a change to the title of the Standards. These changes will go into effect on January 1st, 2021. The Board approved these changes to the Standards to clarify the DVOMB’s purview with offenders who are on parole or in community corrections. Additionally, the former title of the Standards, Standards for Treatment with Court Ordered Domestic Violence Offenders, ostensibly suggested that the DVOMB Standards applied only to those who are on probation or court monitored. This excluded offenders on parole and/or in community corrections when in fact, these populations are subject to the DVOMB Standards per § 16-11.8-103(4)(a)(II) C.R.S. Details about what was changed and why are explained in each of the summaries (see links below). A Lunch and Learn training will also be offered on October 12th to assist those stakeholders with implementing these changes.

Lunch and Learn
Training Information

TOPIC: Revisions to Section 1.0 of the Standards - Implementation and Impact to Parole and Community Corrections

PRESENTERS:
Erin Gazelka, JD, MA, LPC, LAC
Jesse Hansen, MPA
Michelle Hunter 

WHEN: Monday, October 12, 2020
TIME: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

To start webinar: CLICK HERE
Meeting number: 133 917 7903
Meeting ID: 956 0826 0338
Passcode: Alaska

Join by phone
+1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 956 0826 0338
Passcode: 424252
Specialized Trainer
Application

The DVOMB is assembling a catalogue of possible training resources on specific and specialized areas that can be offered annually. The DVOMB plans to sponsor and list trainings on the website that allows for individuals to register for a particular training. Once enough individuals have registered for that training, the DVOMB will contract with the trainer, schedule the training, and notify those registered. Examples of some specific and specialized trainings include but are not limited to, female offenders, LGBT+ offenders, psychopathy, etc.

If you are an experienced trainer and would like to be considered for the 2021 year, please fill out this training application and email it back to us. 

This form is intended for individuals who are experienced trainers and possess expertise in specialized areas that are relevant to the domestic violence and sex offense management fields. Submission of this form does not guarantee any contractual agreement with the ODVSOM. Rather, if selected, the ODVSOM may consider and choose to advertise training events based on interest, registration, cost, and availability.
Contact Us
Phone: 303.239.4528