SSW Alumni Engagement CE
UB School of Social Work - Treatment Courts in WNY: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Treatment Court Expansion Act CEU Workshop
Date/Time:
Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 5:30-7:00 p.m. ET
Location:
Live online via Zoom
Description
Treatment courts, such as drug court and mental health court, are intended to be off-ramps from the criminal legal system for people with behavioral health needs. In theory, treatment courts connect participants with appropriate services to address the unmet health needs that precipitated a criminal charge. In exchange for successful completion, the criminal charge can be reduced or dismissed. However, in practice, treatment courts in Western New York and across New York State operate in wildly different ways, and many do not adhere to current evidence-based clinical practices. Rather than treatment decisions being made by licensed clinicians and their clients, in many courts, treatment decisions are controlled by judges and prosecutors with no clinical expertise. This workshop will provide an overview of how treatment courts work in WNY, the differences between various courts, and their strengths and challenges. Stories from court observations will be shared to highlight current practices, and the Treatment Court Expansion Act, a proposed state law to modernize and expand treatment courts in New York State, will be discussed.
Course Objectives
After attending this session, attendees will be able to:
- 1) Explain how treatment courts, including drug court, mental health court, and opioid court, operate in Western New York.
- 2) Describe some of the challenges clients may face from court actors and practices when they are enrolled in a treatment court.
- 3) Compare how these practices do and do not align with trauma-informed practice and human rights.
Presenters
Jenni Thurston, MSW '25, is a harm reduction professional focused on promoting health, dignity, and equitable access to services. She previously interned at Partnership for the Public Good, researching local treatment courts and engaging in policy advocacy. She authored the report “Judging Symptoms: The Cost of Punishing a Public Health Crisis.” Regine Ndanga, LMSW, MSW '21 is the Civic Education and Partnership Manager at Partnership for the Public Good. Her policy advocacy work focuses on improving health and well-being and advancing health equity for culturally marginalized communities. Colleen Kristich, MSW '18, is the senior community researcher at Partnership for the Public Good, a community-based think tank. Her research and policy advocacy work centers on examining and developing alternatives to criminalization and incarceration to achieve safe and healthy communities.
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 Sunday, November 9