The University of Maine Hutchinson Center, in partnership with New Hope for Women of Rockland, will offer two online sessions of Intimate Partner/Domestic Violence Intervention Training for Mental Health Professionals on February 11 -12 and March 9 - 10. 

These two-day programs, from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. each day, are designed for social workers, substance abuse counselors and other mental health professionals, as well as clergy, police officers and first responders. The fee is $150 per person; $60 per University of Maine student.

Each program provides 12 contact hours and includes the following topics: foundations of domestic abuse, addressing the lasting impact of domestic abuse, intervention strategies of domestic abuse, and trauma-informed and culturally competent responses to domestic abuse. 

This 12-hour curriculum was developed collaboratively by the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence and partners in the mental health field to meet the domestic violence training requirements for psychologists, licensed clinical social workers and licensed clinical professional counselors (see L.D. 1238. 126th Legis. 2013). The four, three-hour modules include information that will help mental health professionals be prepared to work with people who have experienced and perpetrated domestic abuse and violence.

Domestic violence resource centers have seen the impact of COVID-19 on survivors of domestic abuse. 

“At New Hope for Women, our emergency shelter nights increased from 203 in 2019 to 3,056 in 2020,” said Rebekah Shaw, New Hope for Women’s system advocacy and education directo, in a Hutchinson Center news release. “Mental health professionals have continued to support survivors throughout that time, and may be the only ones who know about the abuse. This training seeks to deepen their vast skills and knowledge, and is being offered at a time when many people are unsafe and ready to reach out for support. We are grateful to partner once again with the Hutchinson Center to offer this skill-building, specialized training.”

Program facilitators include Shaw and Jesse Lucas of New Hope for Women. 

Lucas is the prevention educator for New Hope for Women, covering Knox and Waldo Counties. With a background and passion in trauma-informed care and anti-oppression frameworks, Lucas is committed to educating the community about domestic violence and the many intersections that are alongside it. She is currently pursuing her degree in the University of Maine’s MSW Distance Program.

Shaw has spent over five years as a domestic violence resource center advocate. She has been with New Hope for Women for over a year, supporting survivors throughout civil legal court processes. Recently, she transitioned into the role of system advocacy and education director. Prior to relocating to Midcoast Maine, Shaw worked as an advocate in Aroostook County. Throughout her career, she has supported survivors as they engage with Child Protective, while living in shelter or forming safety plans. She has experience developing training and presentations, delivering them to a myriad of audiences. She is passionate about connecting with survivors and helping others understand the dynamics of domestic violence. 

For information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Michelle Patten, um.fhc.pd@maine.edu; 207.338.8002.

For more information about upcoming professional development programs or to register, go online.

Early registration is recommended as spots are limited, according to the Center.

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available for people who live or work in Knox or Waldo County.

About the Hutchinson Center:

The Hutchinson Center is an outreach center for the University of Maine in Orono, that serves as an educational and cultural center for the midcoast area. It is named for University of Maine President Emeritus Frederick E. Hutchinson. The mission of the Hutchinson Center is to broaden access to University of Maine academic and non-degree programs and services, lifelong learning opportunities, and professional and career development experiences using innovative approaches that increase synergy among University of Maine System entities, University of Maine departments and divisions, and that engage a wider Maine community. 

About the University of Maine: 

The University of Maine, founded in Orono in 1865, is the state's land grant, sea grant and space grant university. It is located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation.  As Maine's flagship public university, UMaine has a statewide mission of teaching, research and economic development, and community service. UMaine is the state's only public research university and among the most comprehensive higher education institutions in the Northeast. It attracts students from all 50 states and more than 70 countries. UMaine currently enrolls 11,561 undergraduate and graduate students who have opportunities to participate in groundbreaking research with world-class scholars. UMaine offers more than 100 degree programs through which students can earn master's, doctoral or professional science master's degrees, as well as graduate certificates. The university promotes environmental stewardship, with substantial efforts campuswide to conserve energy, recycle and adhere to green building standards in new construction. For more information about UMaine, visit umaine.edu.