2026 Pikes Peak Domestic Violence Summit: Full Schedule

9:00am MDT

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am MDT

Garden Pavilion - The Penrose House Conference Center

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am MDT
Garden Pavilion - The Penrose House Conference Center 1661 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Admin & Awards

9:15am MDT

Designated Work Space

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:15am - Thursday October 29, 2026 4:00pm MDT

Bailey Boardroom - The Penrose House Conference Center

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:15am - Thursday October 29, 2026 4:00pm MDT
Bailey Boardroom - The Penrose House Conference Center 1661 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA

Always Available

9:15am MDT

Self-Care Space

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:15am - Thursday October 29, 2026 4:00pm MDT

Broadmoor Room - The Penrose House Conference Center

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:15am - Thursday October 29, 2026 4:00pm MDT
Broadmoor Room - The Penrose House Conference Center 1661 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA

Always Available

9:30am MDT

Opening Keynote: What Domestic Violence Teaches Us About Justice, Healing, and Hope

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:30am - 11:00am MDT

Garden Pavilion - The Penrose House Conference Center

Speakers

Jesse Leon

President, Alliance Way

Jesse Leon is the award-winning author of I’m Not Broken and No Estoy Roto, published by Penguin Random House. His work chronicles his journey from surviving trauma, addiction, and homelessness to becoming a global advocate for healing, resilience, and transformation. As a speaker, executive coach, and consultant, Jesse works with organizations across the worl... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:30am - 11:00am MDT
Garden Pavilion - The Penrose House Conference Center 1661 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Keynote Presentation

11:15am MDT

CSPD Case Study

Wednesday October 28, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT

Carriage House - The Penrose House Conference Center

Detective Herrera investigated a domestic violence stalking case in which the two involved parties had never met in person and had a virtual relationship. Although the two had never met in real life, manipulation, control, power, coercion and punishment were evident and demanding. This presentation includes images, recordings and interview snippets with sensitive content.

Speakers

Samantha Herrera

Detective, Colorado Springs Police Department

Detective Samantha Herrera has been with CSPD since March of 2018. She has worked in both the Stetson Hills and Gold Hill patrol divisions, became a Police Training Officer, and DV subject matter expert, joined the Negotiator unit where she was nationally certified in 2022 and is... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Carriage House - The Penrose House Conference Center 1661 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA

Presentation

11:15am MDT

Domestic Violence and Children: Understanding Barriers to Leaving and Safety Planning

Wednesday October 28, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT

Milton Proby Room - The Penrose House Conference Center

Speakers

Vanessa Adkinson, M.S.

Founder & CEO, P31 Home

Vanessa Adkinson, M.S., is the Founder and CEO of P31 Home, a crisis navigation and safety planning consulting company built to serve as a trusted space where helpers go for help. With a Master’s in Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and Human Services, she supports... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Milton Proby Room - The Penrose House Conference Center 1661 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA

Presentation

about <br>

11:15am MDT

How Offenders Learn About the Effects of DV on Children

Wednesday October 28, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT

Spencer Penrose Room - The Penrose House Conference Center

This training will focus on how some providers are able to provide education in relation to how domestic violence impacts children. This presentation will focus on different interventions that are used in group sessions to assist clients in internalizing this skill. The presenter will review and/or answer questions on how this addresses the male, female and LGBTQ+ population. The presentation will...
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Speakers

X Turner

Xaviera Turner, LCSW, LAC, DVCS, SOMB Clinical Supervisor - Adults & DD/ID, earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Colorado State University-Pueblo (2017) and her Master of Social Work from Newman University (2018) in Colorado Springs, CO. Xaviera is a licensed clinical social worker... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Spencer Penrose Room - The Penrose House Conference Center 1661 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA

Presentation

12:15pm MDT

Lunch On Your Own

Wednesday October 28, 2026 12:15pm - 1:30pm MDT

Meal Break

1:45pm MDT

In Their Own Words: Survivor Stories of Resilience & Healing

Wednesday October 28, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT

TESSA will host a survivor panel featuring individuals who will share their lived experiences, personal insights, and perspectives on the support survivors need from service providers and the broader community. This conversation will center survivor voices while highlighting opportunities to strengthen trauma-informed responses to domestic violence.

Wednesday October 28, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT

Panel

1:45pm MDT

Machismo & Domestic Violence: Understanding the Cultural Lens

Wednesday October 28, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT

Milton Proby Room - The Penrose House Conference Center

Speakers

Inci Caballero

Wednesday October 28, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT
Milton Proby Room - The Penrose House Conference Center 1661 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA

Presentation

1:45pm MDT

The Effects of Children Witnessing Intimate Partner Violence : Train the Trainer Workshop

Wednesday October 28, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT

Speakers

Alice Munsch, LCSW

Supervisory Social Worker, Family Advocacy Program (FAP) at Fort Carson

Alice Munsch, LCSW, is a Supervisory Social Worker for the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) at Fort Carson, Colorado, bringing 11 years of service to military families. She oversees critical assessment and treatment programs for intimate partner violence and child maltreatment. Her... Read More →

Teresa Judy, LCSW

Supervisory Social Worker and Deputy Chief, Family Advocacy Program (FAP) at Fort Carson

Teresa Judy, LCSW, is a Supervisory Social Worker and Deputy Chief at the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) at Fort Carson, CO, where she has worked for 12 years. FAP specializes in the assessment and treatment of family maltreatment for Service Members and their families. Throughout... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT

Presentation

1:45pm MDT

New Rules, Real Impact: Legal Updates That Matter for Survivors

Wednesday October 28, 2026 1:45pm - 4:00pm MDT

This presentation will provide an overview of recent and emerging legal changes affecting domestic violence survivors in family law and housing matters. Participants will learn how these changes impact survivor safety, stability, and access to justice, and how attorneys, advocates, law enforcement, and community partners can work together to better support survivors navigating the legal system.

Speakers

Alexandra Vargo

Assistant Supervising Attorney, Family Law, Colorado Legal Services

Haley Edmonds

Staff Attorney, Housing, Colorado Legal Services

Wednesday October 28, 2026 1:45pm - 4:00pm MDT

Presentation

3:00pm MDT

Beyond Supervision: the 4th Judicial District's Proactive Approach to Reducing Recidivism Through Engagement

Wednesday October 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT

What happens when probation moves beyond traditional supervision and into the community? Join us for an interactive session showcasing how innovative community partnerships are transforming the way we engage, educate, and build trust. Discover how current and emerging research on evidence-based supervision is shaping probation practices in El Paso and Teller Counties, and learn...
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Speakers

Johnna Baylor

Juvenile Probation Officer, 4th Judicial Probation Department

Johnna Baylor has served as a Juvenile Probation Officer for four years, supervising youth and young adults ages 10 to 25 who have committed offenses as minors. She holds dual bachelor's degrees from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in Psychology and Criminal Justice... Read More →

Lindsay Schmidt

Probation Officer, 4th Judicial Probation Department

Lindsay Schmidt has been a Probation Officer with Colorado's 4th Judicial District for more than four years, supervising an adult domestic violence offender caseload. She earned a bachelor's degree in Organizational Development with a minor in Human Resource Management. Her professional background a... Read More →

Shannon Steinmetz

Probation Officer, 4th Judicial Probation Department

Shannon Steinmetz has been with the Colorado Judicial Branch for 11 years, beginning her career on the court side in Weld County before joining probation in Colorado Springs in 2019. She has served as a probation officer for five years, first supervising standard adult caseloads and now specializ... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT

Interactive

3:00pm MDT

Intergenerational Trauma and Accountability: Seeing Domestic Violence Through a Child’s Eyes

Wednesday October 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT

Spencer Penrose Room - The Penrose House Conference Center

Speakers

Elizabeth Farris, LCSW, LAC

Owner/Director, Sunrise Counseling and Wellness

Elizabeth Farris is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Addictions Counselor and the founder of Sunrise Counseling and Wellness, an agency devoted to providing comprehensive, person-centered, treatment for individuals impacted by substance use and trauma. With years of... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Spencer Penrose Room - The Penrose House Conference Center 1661 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA

Presentation

3:00pm MDT

Working with Native Survivors of Violence

Wednesday October 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT

Milton Proby Room - The Penrose House Conference Center

Sweetgrass Advocacy staff who are devoted to supporting, protecting and uplifting Native survivors will speak about their program, why cultural advocacy matters, barriers our Native community faces, MMIR prevention, responding in a survivor-centered way and how others can collaborate. It is important to know that Native Americans are still here. Although we face disproportionate rates of violence,...
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Speakers

Monycka Snowbird

Program Director, Sweetgrass Advocacy

Monycka Snowbird (Ojibwe), Program Director- [email protected]. Monycka is a Domestic Violence Treatment Advocate, a certified Domestic Violence Tribal Advocate and a Sexual Assault Tribal Advocate through the National Tribal Training Institute. Monycka was on the Native Advisory Council for 25 years and served on the board of directors for... Read More →

Shauna Jackson

Program Support & Advocate, Sweetgrass Advocacy

Shauna Jackson (Navajo), Program Support and Advocate - [email protected] is certified Domestic Violence Tribal Advocate and a Sexual Assault Tribal Advocate through the National Tribal Training Institute and is certified in adult mental health first aid. She was... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
Milton Proby Room - The Penrose House Conference Center 1661 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA

Presentation

9:00am MDT

The Effects of Children Witnessing Intimate Partner Violence: Train the Trainer Workshop

Thursday October 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

Join us for a comprehensive "Train-the-Trainer" workshop designed to equip clinical professionals with the tools to educate parents on the impact of domestic violence on youth. This session will review current statistics on children exposed to domestic violence, explore various types of abuse, and examine the generational cycle of violence. Discusses effects of childhood trauma, offender...
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Speakers

Jeannine Anderson, MA, LPC, LAC, DVCS, ACS

Clinical Director, Founder, and Co-Host, Southeast Counseling Center, Firefly Hope Collective, Forensic Friday podcast

Jeannine Anderson, MA, LPC, LAC, DVCS, ACS, is a forensic psychotherapist with nearly 20 years of clinical and forensic experience specializing in domestic violence, coercive control, trauma, and psychopathy. She has conducted thousands of forensic evaluations in criminal and civil... Read More →

Thursday October 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

Interactive

about Natalie Halcomb is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Domestic Violence Clinical Supervisor (DVCS) who serves as the Groups and Forensics Manager and Clinical Supervisor at the Center. A Colorado native, Natalie earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder and her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Denver Seminary. With nearly ten years of experience in the behavioral health field, Natalie has dedicated much of her career to working within the criminal justice system and providing court-ordered treatment services. Her clinical experience includes working with individuals involved in domestic violence, substance use disorders, relationship conflict, anger management concerns, trauma, and other mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. Natalie has extensive training in trauma-informed care and utilizes evidence-based approaches to help clients develop insight, strengthen emotional regulation, improve interpersonal functioning, and create meaningful, lasting change. Her specialized training includes Brain spotting, domestic violence treatment, substance use treatment, and forensic behavioral health services. In her leadership role, Natalie oversees the Groups and Forensics Team, providing clinical supervision, program development, and support to clinicians serving high-risk and court-involved populations. Prior to her counseling career, she worked and volunteered with adolescent programs, helping children and teens navigate developmental and life challenges. Natalie believes that effective counseling requires a balance of accountability, compassion, and personal growth. She is passionate about creating a safe and supportive environment where individuals can develop greater self-awareness, strengthen relationships, and pursue holistic wellness in mind, body, and spirit. <br>

9:00am MDT

DHS & DV: DHS and DV: Understanding our Role and Services

Thursday October 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

We will provide the structure, responsibilities, and processes of El Paso County DHS when responding to child abuse and neglect allegations that involve domestic violence. We will walk through mandatory reporting requirements, definitions and indicators of various types of maltreatment, and the assessment tools used to determine child safety and risk. We will cover...
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Thursday October 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

Presentation

about Brooke Bjorneberg has been in the child welfare field for 16 years, the last 5 years as an Intake manager. She oversees 6 Intake teams to include 3 general teams, a co-located Law Enforcement team, the Sex Abuse team that is located at Safe Passage and the Institutional Abuse team.

10:15am MDT

Tech-Facilitated Dating Violence Translates to Intensified Adolescent Abuse

Thursday October 29, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am MDT

Technology has transformed how teenagers communicate, connect, and express affection. However, it has also created new, invisible avenues for control, harassment, and surveillance. Constant exposure to online sexually explicit material and aggressive content skews a teen's perception of healthy relationships and may lead them to misinterpret controlling online behavior as love or affection....
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Thursday October 29, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am MDT

about <br>

10:15am MDT

Domestic Violence in Children: Understanding Barriers to Leaving & Safety Planning

Thursday October 29, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am MDT

Milton Proby Room - The Penrose House Conference Center

Thursday October 29, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am MDT
Milton Proby Room - The Penrose House Conference Center 1661 Mesa Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, USA

Presentation

10:15am MDT

Free Resources for Survivors at the Local Library

Thursday October 29, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am MDT

Learn about the wide range of free services available for domestic violence survivors at the Pikes Peak Library District. You may already be familiar with our books and children’s programming, but did you know that library patrons get $7 of free printing per week that can help with printing court forms or evidence documentation? Or that there are free study rooms that people can book to attend...
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Speakers

Brooklynn Coburn

Community Resources Librarian, Pikes Peak Library District

Brooklynn is a Community Resources Librarian for Pikes Peak Library District. She is originally from Iowa (go Hawks!) and has degrees in Ethics and Public Policy and Library Science. She helps patrons access services like low-cost legal aid and emergency housing and partners with... Read More →

Deborah Hamilton

Strategic Services Librarian – Law Collection, Pikes Peak Library District

Deborah Hamilton is the Law Librarian for Pikes Peak Library District. She has held this position since October of 2014. Prior to working for PPLD, Ms. Hamilton was the Learning Technologies Librarian for Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary where she helped to establish an... Read More →