Why You Should Attend

In recent years, the New York Office of Court Administration has demonstrated its commitment to address racial bias and discrimination in the courts and to revise or expand its policies and institutional practices to promote racial equity and justice. Over the last several decades, it has also demonstrated a significant commitment to address the needs of court-involved individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. This program will focus on the convergence of these two areas of concern, examining the impact of systemic inequities in the courts and society on the behavioral health of court-involved individuals and exploring current and proposed initiatives that will advance equity and justice on multiple fronts.

What You Will Learn

After completing this program, participants will be able to:
- Understand issues of racial bias and discrimination identified in the New York State court system and current initiatives to advance equity and justice
- Understand historical and ongoing forces that drive inequities in the justice system
- Understand the impact of racial bias and discrimination on the physical and mental health of individuals and, at a systemic level, racial and gender-based disparities in healthcare access and in health and mental health outcomes
- Gain insight into steps that judges and lawyers can take to reduce racial and gender-based inequities in individual courtrooms and in the justice system

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for New York State judges, court attorneys, law clerks, prosecutors, defense attorneys, attorneys in private practice, and mental health system professionals involved in the New York State justice system.

*Scholarships are available to participate in this program. For more information and to apply please visit: https://learning.pli.edu/scholarship.