SSW Alumni Engagement CE

Date/Time:

Friday, February 20, 2026, 12-1:30 p.m. ET

Location:

Live online via Zoom

Description

In the United States, society continues to promote punitive responses to individuals exiting jails and prisons who experience multifaceted challenges (e.g., poverty, physical and mental illness, substance use). Furthermore, in many ways, the U.S. jails and prisons have become the default mental health system, reflected in county jails serving as the largest mental health facilities in the nation, and the disparity of incarcerated individuals with mental illness compared to the general public. The Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) is a nationally used framework with the goal of reducing the number of individuals with mental illness involved in the criminal legal system (CLS). The SIM identifies natural intervention points where individuals can either be diverted from the CLS or provided services to assist them in exiting the system. This workshop will provide an overview of the SIM, its core principles, and the need to incorporate community voices and theory into its implementation. Participants will gain an understanding of the common needs persons experiencing mental illness with CLS involvement often have, barriers to meeting these needs, and how the SIM can assist communities in addressing these areas. Additionally, current efforts to implement aspects of the SIM in Erie County will be reviewed.

Course Objectives

After attending this session, attendees will be able to:

1. 1) Explain the Sequential Intercept Model, its key principles, and the need to incorporate community voices and theory in its implementation.
2. 2) Describe the prevalence of mental illness among individuals with criminal legal system involvement, common needs among this population, and frequent barriers this population faces.
3. 3) Identify current and emerging efforts to better address the mental health needs of Erie County residents at risk or currently involved in the criminal legal system.

Presenters

D. Michael Applegarth, PhD, MSW is an assistant professor in the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. He received a master’s in social work from Brigham Young University and a PhD in Social Welfare from the University of Los Angeles. Through his research, Dr. Applegarth aims to highlight the dignity and worth of every person impacted by the criminal legal system (CLS), promote health and well-being, and build a society that seeks to prevent and repair harm rather than seeking retribution and public safety through coercion and control. His research primarily focuses on individuals experiencing mental health issues who are currently or at risk of engagement in the CLS. Dr. Applegarth's current research projects include examining community supervision specialty mental health caseloads, diversion efforts in community settings, and strategies to increase community involvement in identifying intervention points across the CLS to divert individuals to services or provide services to individuals with system involvement.

Quiz and Evaluation

• To verify participation and acquisition of knowledge, this live online course requires completion of a multiple-choice course quiz with a passing score of 80% or better to receive the NY social work contact hours certificate.
• In addition, the completion of a course evaluation is also required.
• Instructions will be provided for how to access the quiz and evaluation.

New York Social Work Contact Hours:

NYSED LMSW & LCSW contact hours are being provided through the University at Buffalo School of Social Work’s Office of Continuing Education. This Office is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0001. Full attendance is required; no partial credit will be awarded for partial attendance. 1.5 live online contact hours have been approved.

ADA Accommodations:

If you require any support for your ADA needs in the United States, please contact us by email at least 3 weeks prior to the event by email at kfranco@buffalo.edu or by phone at 716-645-1262.

Course Requirements:

All participants will be emailed the link to the Zoom meeting website.

All participants will need to have audio capabilities on their device.

All participants will be emailed all workshop-related materials at least 24 hours before the workshop (handouts, PowerPoint slides, etc…)

All participants will be sent a link to an online multiple-choice quiz that must be completed within 48 hours. (Passing score is 80%)

All participants will be sent a link to an online evaluation about the workshop.

Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 18