Using Social Workers as Part of a Holistic Public Defense Practice
This one-and-a-half-day workshop is a partnership between the UNC School of Government Criminal Justice Innovation Lab and the Office of Indigent Defense Services. It will focus on integrating social workers into public defender offices as part of a holistic defense practice. Sessions will address, among other topics, an overview of holistic defense; the benefits and challenges of using social workers in the public defender office; services that social workers can provide; implementation lessons like hiring and supervising social workers and procedures for social work referrals; and discussions on cultivating a holistic office culture.
The workshop will center on panel discussions where expert panelists—including attorneys and social workers—will share insights and experiences as members of holistic defense teams and provide practical, actionable guidance.
Additional information
Up to two people may attend from each public defender office. One person should be the Chief Public Defender or, if not available, their designee. The other person should be a staff member who is a social worker or who primarily assists clients with social services needs. If the office has no such person, or they are not available, the Chief may designate another staff member for the second spot.
Participants will be notified of admittance within five business days after submission of their registration materials.
The application window has been extended to April 1, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
*Please note, hotel accommodations cannot be guaranteed for participants who register after March 15, 2024*
Participants will be provided with materials to complete before the workshop begins.
For participants located more than 40 miles from Chapel Hill, hotel information will be provided after admittance.
We are seeking approval for this workshop to qualify for Continuing Legal Education credits through the NC State Bar. Participants will be responsible for self-reporting participation and paying the associated per-hour fee to receive credit.
Hannah Turner
