Microsoft word - 2016 statewide presenter biographies.docx
Trauma in the Rearview Mirror: Closer Than it May Appear
March 31, 2016 – April 1, 2016
Presenter Biographies
Hon. Jeffrey Moskowitz
Deputy Chief Judge Moskowitz earned a Bachelor's Degree from St. Lawrence University in 1980
and a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law in 1984. Deputy Chief Judge Moskowitz
worked as a prosecutor in the York County District Attorney's office before being appointed to
the Maine District Court in 2008. He has served as the Deputy Chief of the Maine District Court
since 2014.
Julie Atkins, MA, CASA
Julie Atkins is a Research Associate at the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of
Southern Maine. She provides technical assistance to state and tribal child welfare agencies on
the use of data to improve outcomes. Ms. Atkins received her M.A. in American and New
England Studies from the University of Southern Maine. She has been a Court Appointed Special
Advocate since 2013.
Esther Attean, MSW
Esther Attean works for the Muskie School of Public Service and is a co-director for the work of
Maine-Wabanaki REACH, a cross cultural collaborative that established and convened the truth
commission. Esther is Passamaquoddy from Sipayik and holds an M.S.W. from the University of
Maine. She came to the Muskie School in 2003 to work with young people in their transition out
of foster care.
Det. Sgt. Bill Bonney
Det. Sgt. Bonney is an 18 year veteran of the Waterville Police Department having served as a
patrol officer, community policing officer, detective, patrol sergeant, communications supervisor,
and now in his current position as the supervisor of the Waterville Police Department Detective
Division. Det. Sgt. Bonney has a B.A in Criminology from the University of Southern Maine and
a Master of Criminal Justice from Boston University. He has been involved in the investigation
and supervision of numerous high profile cases and has taken a leading role in identifying and
investigating human trafficking in Central Maine.
Tonier Cain
After surviving a childhood of unspeakable sexual abuse, unrelenting violence, and betrayal by
systems that were charged with helping, Ms. Tonier Cain stands before her audiences today, a
testimony to the resiliency of the human spirit exemplifying the innate human instinct to survive.
Tonier "Neen" Cain lived on the streets for twenty nightmarish years. Years filled with hunger,
brutality and a lifestyle that when described, seems unconscionable. Incarcerated and pregnant
in 2004, someone finally took the time to ask: "what happened to you" instead of "what's wrong
with you." It is at that moment she began her journey to become a survivor and for the first time
in her life began to live with more hope than fear. The impact of trauma is realized by every age
group, race, ethnicity, socio-economic group, gender, community, and workforce. As Ms. Cain
shares her story, audience members find themselves challenging their professional and personal
beliefs. Her experience illustrates the consequences that untreated trauma has on individuals
and society at-large, including mental health problems, addiction, homelessness and
incarceration. Her story evokes anger, frustration, sadness, and despair. It often triggers past
Trauma in the Rearview Mirror: Closer Than it May Appear
March 31, 2016 – April 1, 2016
Presenter Biographies
traumas. It motivates, it empowers and it restores faith in humanity. It reminds us of the tremendous impact one individual can have on the life of another. www.toniercain.com
Ms. Tonier Cain is:
The former team leader for the National Center for Trauma-Informed Care, with the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors;
A consumer advocate who speaks all over the world on trauma, incarceration, and recovery;
The CEO and founder of Healing Neen Inc.;
Featured in the documentary "Behind Closed Doors: Trauma Survivors and the Psychiatric System";
Subject and Co-producer of the Award Winning Film, "Healing Neen";
Founder and President of "Neen Cares, Inc.";
Executive Producer of "Walking Thru Bullets";
Board Advisor of film "Like Any Other Kid";
Producer of stage production "The Tonier Cain Story";
Featured in many articles and guest on over 17 talks shows including featured in December 2014 Ebony Magazine; and
Founder and Co-CEO of MET-R a global nonprofit, that provides services for trauma survivors worldwide.
Paul Chaiken, Esq.
Attorney Chaiken is now special counsel to the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar. He is
tasked with oversight of the Receiver/Proxy program; claims made against the Lawyers' Fund for
Client Protection; and the new guardian ad litem complaint process. Previously, Paul was an
attorney at Rudman Winchell in Bangor, where he was a partner since 1980. He graduated from
Boston University and University Maine School of Law. He chairs the Maine Supreme Judicial
Court's Advisory Committee on Rules of Professional Conduct. He chaired Maine's Task Force
on Ethics in 2000, which converted Maine's Rules of Professional Responsibility to the Rules of
Professional Conduct to conform, in large measure, to the ABA Model Rules of Professional
Conduct.
Jennifer Davis, Esq.
Jennifer received her undergraduate degree in 1992 from Bowdoin College. She worked as a high
school teacher and coach at Thornton Academy prior to attending law school. She received her
Juris Doctor in 1998. After law school, Jennifer worked as in-house counsel for Liberty Mutual
Insurance Company. Jennifer has been in private practice at the Law Office of Jennifer A. Davis
since 2003. She focuses her practice on family law, child protection law, criminal law, and
guardian ad litem work. She enjoys coaching basketball, soccer, and softball throughout New
England. www.jdavislawoffice.com
Karen Dostaler, AAG
Karen A. Dostaler is an Assistant Attorney General representing the Department of Health and
Human Services in child protection proceedings in the Maine District Court (Biddeford). Before
joining the Office of the Attorney General in 2005, Karen practiced for 16 years in Portland,
Trauma in the Rearview Mirror: Closer Than it May Appear
March 31, 2016 – April 1, 2016
Presenter Biographies
representing parents in child protection proceedings, litigants in family matter actions, and
defendants in criminal actions, including serious felony and murder cases. She earned her B.A.
(cum laude) from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and her J.D. from the University of
Maine School of Law. She is admitted to both the Maine and Massachusetts Bars.
Aria Eee, Esq.
Aria Eee serves as Deputy Bar Counsel to the Maine Board of Bar Overseers where she's been
employed for 11 years. Her primary responsibilities involve providing ethics advice, presenting
CLE programs and investigating and prosecuting lawyer discipline cases before the Maine
Supreme Judicial Court and the Board's Grievance Commission. Prior to her current position,
Aria served nearly ten (10) years as an Assistant Attorney General where she managed numerous
cases involving at risk children and Passamaquoddy Tribe's Indian Housing Authority at Sipayik.
She was also a solo practitioner in Washington County before joining the AG's office. Aria is a
member of the ABA, the MSBA, the Gignoux and Ballou Inns of Court, the National Organization
of Bar Counsel and various county bar associations within Maine.
Dory Hacker, LCSW
Dory Hacker, LCSW, serves as the Outreach Clinician on the Portland Defending Childhood
Initiative. She provides outpatient evidence-based clinical treatment for children and their
caregivers exposed to family and community violence. She shares her training and experience in
the field of trauma by providing outreach, education and collaborative efforts to the community,
child providers, domestic violence advocates, those serving immigrant and refugee populations,
law enforcement, and schools regarding trauma-exposed children and best practices. She
received her Master's in Clinical Social Work from Smith College School for Social Work.
Meg Hatch
Meg Hatch is the Coordinator for the Maine Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, a program
of the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Meg has spent the last eight (8) years working in
the world of sexual assault victim advocacy and child sexual abuse as a Sexual Assault Response
Team Advocate and Child Forensic Interviewer. In her current role, she supports existing and
emerging Children's Advocacy Center programs and multidisciplinary team development in
Maine.
Allegra Hirsh-Wright, LCSW, RYT
Allegra Hirsh-Wright
, LCSW, RYT is the Clinical Implementation Coordinator for the Maine
Children's Trauma Response Initiative, a SAMHSA funded National Child Traumatic Stress
Network (NCTSN) project site. Allegra oversees implementation of evidence based trauma
treatments statewide, provides training, locally and nationally, on multiple topics related to
working with children exposed to violence and trauma and is a nationally certified TF-CBT
Clinician and Clinical Supervisor. Allegra is a contributing member of the NCTSN's Secondary
Traumatic Stress National Workgroup and has contributed to fact sheets and a national website
on secondary traumatic stress. Allegra has also co-authored an article on childhood exposure to
violence and has contributed to a published book on childhood traumatic grief. Allegra has
extensive experience in the field of childhood trauma, both primary and secondary, training and
community outreach.
Trauma in the Rearview Mirror: Closer Than it May Appear
March 31, 2016 – April 1, 2016
Presenter Biographies
Fatuma Hussein
Fatuma Hussein was born in Mogadishu, Somalia. She came to Atlanta, Georgia, at age 12 after
living in a Kenyan refugee camp during the civil war in her home country. Years later, in 2001,
seeking a quieter and less populated environment, she and her family relocated to Maine.
Through her own experience, Fatuma understood the many challenges of life in a new culture,
and wanted to help her fellow Somali refugees find an easier start in their adopted home. She
started by informally providing transportation, translation, and additional assistance to other
immigrants from her native land. From these grassroots efforts, the Immigrant Resource Center of
Maine (formerly the United Somali Women of Maine) was founded in 2001, with Fatuma as
director. www.ircofmaine.org
Bobbi Johnson, LMSW
Bobbi Johnson is the Associate Director of Child Welfare Services for the Office of Child and
Family Services within the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. She obtained her
Master's degree in Social Work at the University of Maine at Orono and is a Licensed Master
Social Worker. Bobbi has worked for OCFS for 20 years and was formerly the Child Welfare
Program Administrator for the Bangor office. Bobbi is responsible for the overall leadership and
strategic direction of child welfare services in Maine. She has experience with community
building at the local and statewide level and has been instrumental in moving the work of child
welfare from an agency responsibility to the shared responsibility of families, OCFS, and
community partners. Bobbi has been active on several committees, including the Penquis
Regional Linking Partnership, the Penquis Children's Advocacy Center Taskforce, and the
Community Partnership for Protecting Children. She currently chairs the Child Welfare
Substance Abuse Committee. These efforts bring together partners statewide and are focused on
improving the system of care, maximizing resources, and promoting the voices of the individuals
served. Bobbi understands the link between trauma, child abuse and neglect and resiliency. She
believes in the power of relationships and that one individual can make a difference.
Judith Josiah-Martin, MSW, ACSW, CADC
Judith Josiah-Martin is an experienced social work clinician, educator, and administrator who
brings an extensive knowledge of programs and interventions that have been effective in assisting
health care practitioners and mental health workers in enhancing service delivery to individuals
and families. As a clinical social worker and a certified alcohol and drug counselor, she teaches
full time at the University of Maine School of Social Work, and is a Research Advisor for the
MSW program at Smith College.
Judith served the University of Maine as the Director of Multicultural Student Life for six (6) years
before joining the faculty at the School of Social Work. She earned a BA in Psychology from
Andrews University and an MSW degree from Washington University-George Warren Brown
School of Social Work. She is currently completing a Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work at Smith
College.
As an educator, Judith has delivered numerous keynotes and educational sessions at professional conferences, training events, and retreats. She has co-authored book chapters and numerous articles on women and addiction and specializes in providing trainings on: trauma, substance use
Trauma in the Rearview Mirror: Closer Than it May Appear
March 31, 2016 – April 1, 2016
Presenter Biographies
and related disorders, diversity and cultural competence in physical health and mental health service delivery. Her current focus is on children and families affected by substance abuse and on reducing community-based stigma and shame factors that impede recovery and access to care.
Eliza Kehew
Eliza Kehew has been working with victims of human trafficking and exploitation for over three
(3) years. She currently works as the youth advocate for the Sexual Assault Response Services of
Southern Maine, serving York and Cumberland counties. She provides support and resources to
survivors of sexual violence, which can include navigating the criminal or civil justice systems,
offering emotional support, or connecting survivors to a variety of resources. In addition to
providing one-on-one services, Eliza runs outreach groups at the Preble Street Teen Center and
the Long Creek Youth Development Center.
John David Kennedy, Esq.
Attorney Kennedy retired from the Maine Judicial Branch in 2014, after a career there and
elsewhere spanning almost 40 years, and counting. Attorney Kennedy served as the Executive
Director of Pine Tree Legal Assistance prior to joining Amerling & Burns, P.A. as a litigation
attorney. From 1988-1994, he served as the Revisor of Statutes for the Maine State Legislature
and was responsible for all operations of the non-partisan office that provides legislative drafting
and association legal support to the Maine Legislature. In 1994, he began his service with the
courts acting as Regional Court Administrator. He served as one of Maine's first District Court
Case Management Officers (now known as Family Law Magistrates) from 1997-2002. He was
appointed as an at-large Judge of the Maine District Court in 2002 where he presided over trials,
other hearings, arraignments, and conferences in all case types throughout Maine. In 2013, Chief
Justice Saufley and State Court Administrator Glessner presented him with the Career
Performance Award, the Judicial Branch's highest recognition.
Attorney Kennedy's current practice at Eaton Peabody concentrates on mediation, arbitration and other ADR techniques. He brings broad experience to helping counsel and parties resolve many kinds of disputes, and has particular experience in assisting parties to reach solutions in family and construction law matters. He takes advantage of Eaton Peabody's network of offices to host ADR events across the state.
Chris Leddy, Esq.
Chris Leddy works for Ainsworth, Thelin, & Raftice out of South Portland and has been with the
firm since 2010. His practice focuses on Family Law and Criminal Defense and he has been a
Guardian Ad Litem since 2004. Chris began his career with the Cumberland County District
Attorney's office and has worked with UNUM, and the Office of the Attorney General in the
Child Protective Division as well. Chris teaches at various seminars and has been a regular
instructor at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy since 2004. His varied experience allows for a
broadened perspective and is often a unique asset in case preparation and resolution. His work
in the Child Protection division has given him significant exposure to working with mental health
Trauma in the Rearview Mirror: Closer Than it May Appear
March 31, 2016 – April 1, 2016
Presenter Biographies
issues and complex family dynamics. Chris has been a South Portland resident since 1977 and
resides in the Willard Beach area with his wife Kathy and his two children.
Jim Martin, LMSW
Jim Martin is the Director of the Office of Child and Family Services within the Maine
Department of Health and Human Services. Jim was formerly the Director of the Office of Aging
and Disability Services within DHHS. Jim has a BA in Psychology and is a Licensed Masters
Social Worker. Jim is responsible for the oversight of Child Welfare Services and Foster Care in
Maine. He also provides the overall management of services for children in need of early
intervention care, behavioral health services, and support with the juvenile justice system. Jim
carries a broad knowledge of the Medicaid system, programs and services for adults in need of
long-term support. Jim began his social work career as a child protective caseworker. Jim serves
as a board member for the Maine Children's Trust and is a member of the Maine Justice for
Children Task Force. Jim has been a leader in the creation of a sustainable long term services and
supports system for youth and adults with developmental disabilities, including assisting in the
implementation of the first independent level of care assessment process for the state's largest
Medicaid waiver program. Jim has a keen focus on customer service as it relates to the operations
of state government. He has experience building strong relationships with community providers,
local and state governments, families, and advocates.
Libby McCullum, Esq.
Libby McCullum is currently the Children's Guardian ad Litem Coordinator for the Maine Judicial
Branch. She was previously the Maine State Director for the Court Appointed Special Advocate
(CASA) Program. Libby served as a GAL in family law and child protective cases for over 18 years
before being hired by the Maine Judicial Branch in February 2012. She has a B.A. from the
University of Michigan and a J.D. from Vermont Law School.
Karen Mosher, Ph.D.
Dr. Karen Mosher is a psychologist who has practiced in Maine for 36 years. Her work has
focused on the care of individuals in the public mental health sectors: This includes persons
experiencing severe and persistent mental illness, substance abuse, personality disorder, social
deprivation, poverty, and other related conditions. Her practice also developed a major focus on
the care and protection of children born into these families.
Dr. Mosher received her Doctoral Degree from Purdue University in 1979 and came to Maine as
a Psychologist at Kennebec Behavioral Health directly after her graduation. She recently retired
leaving her last position of 23 years as Kennebec Behavioral Health's Clinical Director. At
present she continues her participation on Maine's Child Death and Serious Injury Review Panel
as well as providing some consultative services for the State of Maine, DHHS, Child and Family
Services and for Kennebec Behavioral Health.
Phil Notis, Esq.
Phil Notis is a native of Maine who was raised in South Portland. He graduated from Boston
College in 1985 and from Vermont Law School in 1988. He has been practicing as a sole
practitioner since 1988 handling mostly child protective and criminal defense cases.
Trauma in the Rearview Mirror: Closer Than it May Appear
March 31, 2016 – April 1, 2016
Presenter Biographies
Bill Nugent, Esq.
Bill Nugent has been the Director of the Maine Assistance Program for Lawyers & Judges (MAP)
since 2009. A graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, he practiced civil litigation in
Maine in the public and private sector for 35 years before coming to MAP.
Patricia Poulin, AAG
Patricia K. Poulin graduated from the University of Maine School of Law in 2001 and worked as
an Assistant District Attorney in Kennebec County for 11 years. She joined the Office of the
Attorney General, Child Protection Division in 2012 and currently represents the Department of
Health and Human Services in child protection matters.
Dana Prescott, Esq.
Dana E. Prescott is licensed to practice law in Maine and Massachusetts, a partner at Prescott,
Jamieson, & Murphy, Law Group, LLC, Saco, Maine, a Fellow of the International and American
Academies of Matrimonial Lawyers, and holds an MSW and a PhD in social work. He is a
rostered guardian ad litem and currently serves as Chair of the Maine GAL Review Board and is
co-author of
Divorce in Maine—The Legal Process, Your Rights, and What to Expect (2015) and
has authored numerous other articles on family law. The views expressed in this presentation are
his alone and do not reflect the opinions of any other person or entity. Mr. Prescott may be
contacted at
[email protected].
Jenni Smith, CLCPC
Jenni Smith is a Policy and Training Specialist for the Office of Child and Family Services. She
obtained her Master's degree in Community Mental Health from the University of Southern New
Hampshire and is a Conditionally Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. Jenni has worked for
OCFS for the last ten (10) years with most of that time doing direct child protective assessment
work and most recently as a policy writer and trainer covering various topics that are relevant to
OCFS. Jenni is a partner on many community based projects and workgroups. Most recently,
Jenni has co-chaired the workgroup that has been charged with meeting the requirements of the
Preventing Sex Trafficking, Strengthening Families Act.
Nora Sosnoff, AAG
Nora Sosnoff is the Chief of the Child Protection Division and Legal Ethics Officer in Maine's
Office of the Attorney General. Nora is actively involved in mentoring student lawyers through
internship and externship positions. She is a member of several statewide panels and
committees, including the Maine Supreme Judicial Court's Advisory Committee on Professional
Responsibility and the State's Child Death and Serious Injury Review Panel.
Destie Hohman Sprague
Destie Hohman Sprague has extensive experience as an advocate for child and family public
policy issues with a focus on abuse and neglect, public health, and family economic
security. She currently serves as the Associate Director of the Maine Coalition Against Sexual
Assault (MeCASA); supporting sexual assault service providers through public policy advocacy
and program research, development, and coordination.
Trauma in the Rearview Mirror: Closer Than it May Appear
March 31, 2016 – April 1, 2016
Presenter Biographies
Martin Teicher, MD, Ph.D
Dr. Martin Teicher has been director of the Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program at
McLean Hospital since 1988. He was director of the former Developmental Psychopharmacology
Laboratory (now the Laboratory of Developmental Neuropharmacology), and is currently an
associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Teicher is a member of the editorial board of the
Journal of Child and Adolescent
Psychopharmacology,
Current Pediatric Reviews, and
Current Psychosomatic Medicine. He is a
member of the Scientific Advisory Council of the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation, and has
been part of Harvard University's Brain Development Working Group. He has served on or
chaired numerous review committees for the National Institute of Health, published more than
150 articles, and has received numerous honors.
Christine Thibeault, ADA
Christine Thibeault graduated from University of Maine School of Law in 1995 and joined the
Office of the Assistant District Attorney specializing in juvenile prosecution with the Cumberland
County District Attorney's Office in 1996. She now supervises the Juvenile Unit. She served on
the Federal Advisory Commission on Juvenile Justice from 2007-2008 and is an adjunct instructor
at Southern Maine Community College.
Christine Thibeault serves as the chair of the legislative subcommittee of the Maine Juvenile
Justice Advisory Group (JJDP Act State Advisory Group); chair of legislative subcommittee, co-
chair of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) executive committee; and is a
member of other various community boards that address issues related to juvenile justice such as
disproportionate minority contact, underage drinking, restorative justice and youth court.
Marjorie Withers, LCPC
Marjorie Withers is the co-director and co-founder of the Community Caring Collaborative, a
grassroots collective of 44 tribal, county, state agencies, educational and non-profit
organizations. The Collaborative is a responsive strength based system of care for vulnerable
populations that is a model for rural collaboration. Marjorie has over 35 years of experience as a
mental health and substance abuse clinician in a variety of settings and has been designing
innovative strength based rural programming that address the needs of infants, children and
families and other vulnerable populations in Maine and other states. Known nationally, she has
expertise as a trainer and in offering technical assistance on systems of care, collaboration,
trauma informed systems, poverty informed systems, delivering services in rural areas- removing
barriers, issues related to caregiving and other topics related to her work. She is committed to
developing programs that improve outcomes and break the cycle of generational poverty. A
major thrust of her work is in removing stigma regarding poverty and finding ways to help people
and systems eliminate barriers for people living in poverty. Marjorie has received a number of
awards, including:
• Maine Children's Alliance Giraffe award for advocacy (2010); • The Hanley Center for Leadership Exceptional Leadership and Service Award in Health
Equity and Health Disparities (2014); and the
• Office of the United States Attorney's Award (2015).
Trauma in the Rearview Mirror: Closer Than it May Appear
March 31, 2016 – April 1, 2016
Presenter Biographies
Mary Zmigrodski, Esq.
Mary Zmigrodski is a graduate of Lafayette College and Seton Hall University School of Law. She
practiced family law, mediation and arbitration in NJ and was a member of Sussex County
Domestic Violence Task Force, Domestic Abuse Services, Inc., and the Jersey Battered Women's
Project in NJ. Mary moved to Maine in 2004 and worked as an Assistant Attorney General in the
Child Protection Division until 2014. She was a member of the Domestic Abuse Homicide
Review Panel until 2014 when she retired and opened a part-time law practice doing guardian
ad litem work (child protection and family matters) and representing parents (child protection).
Mary is a member of the Guardian Ad Litem Review Board.
Source: http://www.mainecourtimprovement.org/filelibrary/2.%202016%20Statewide%20Presenter%20Biographies.pdf
CSI – Birmingham Challenging Clinical Case Studies The Medical Model You Be the Detective! Important Studies, Work-up, and Protocols Alan Freint, MD Paul Pessis, AuD The Basic Premise Where to Start? Identifying the etiology of a health problem is essential
Pig Herd Health and Production in Ireland : a Study of some Major Influences A thesis submitted for a Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Noel T. Kavanagh MVB., DPM., MBAE., MRCVS. To Professor Richard Penny DVSc, PhD, DPM, FACVSc, FRCVS, my supervisor, who motivated me to write this thesis when we met at the Birmingham I.P.V.S. in July 1998, and subsequently combined methodical critical