Foreword / Tina Maschi, PhD, LCSW, ACSW -- Preface / Ashley Ratliff JD/MSW & Jacoba Rock, LCSW -- Introduction and overview / Ashley Ratliff, JD, MSW & Marty Beyer, PhD -- Guiding principles of practice : a critical interdisciplinary approach toward effective client representation and advocacy / Ashley Ratliff, JD, MSW, Maren Willins, LCSW & Sarah Buchanan, LCSW, PhD -- Roles of the forensic social worker / Molly Hennessey, LSW & Maren Willins, LCSW -- Skills / Maren Willins, LCSW & Hillary Vervalin, LCSW -- Cultural humility and special populations / Claire Schmidt, LCSW & Molly Hennessey, LSW -- Work product (written, demonstrative, oral) / Hillary Vervalin, LCSW & Kathleen McGuire, JD, MSW -- Forensic social work and collaboration with expert witnesses / Hillary Vervalin, LCSW, Ashley Ratliff JD, MSW, & Kathleen McGuire JD, MSW -- Self-care / Maren Willins, LCSW & Ashley Ratliff, JD, MSW -- .

This book presents the Colorado Model of Criminal Defense-Based Forensic Social Work as a comprehensive and client-centered approach that uses a trauma-informed care framework. It covers the roles and skills required of forensic social workers, from clinical interventions with clients to reentry planning and collaboration with experts outside of the defense team. The book is structured around a past, present, and future framework, providing a holistic approach to service that includes the creation of mitigation narratives for defendants. It also includes strategies for practitioners to engage in self-care, acknowledging the emotional demands of this work. Four case studies using the Colorado Model are included to demonstrate how it can be applied in practice. This book will be useful for graduate schools of social work, law school programs with direct practice components, and defender agencies that employ or contract with social workers. Overall, it is a valuable resource for those in the field of forensic social work seeking to provide effective and ethical services to their clients.

English