Upcoming Trainings
CLC VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION
Warning Signs with Challenging Parents;
Children with Disabilities
Friday, May 1, 2026
1:00 – 3:00 PM
SPEAKER: Jodie Comer Oshana PhD, JD
Click here to view Jodie’s bio: https://bit.ly/48lwgqt
Sponsored by the State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Public Defender
CLC VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION
Case Review - Open Forum
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
1:00 – 2:00 PM
SPEAKER: Justine Rakich-Kelly,
Executive Director, Children’s Law Center
Click here to view Justine’s bio.
Sponsored by the State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Public Defender
CLC TRAINING SESSION
Navigating the Jurisdictional Differences in the Family, Juvenile & Probate Courts
Friday, May 15, 2026
1:00 – 3:00 PM
SPEAKERS: Hon. Tammy Nguyen-O’Dowd and Hon. Jason M. Lobo
This training will examine the overlapping jurisdiction of Probate Court, Juvenile Court, and Family Court, with a focus on matters related to custody, parentage, visitation, and termination of parental rights.
Join us in-person, at The Children’s Law Center, 30 Arbor Street, Suite 208 or virtually via Zoom.
Sponsored by the State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Public Defender
Prior Trainings
CLC VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION
What to Expect in a Court-Ordered Psychological Evaluation
Friday, April 10, 2026
1:00 – 3:00 PM
This training will provide attorneys with a practical, inside look at what to expect in a court-ordered psychological evaluation, with particular emphasis on custody evaluations and individual forensic psychological assessments.
The session will review the core components of these evaluations and explain how these elements are synthesized into a structured, court-ready report.
Participants will learn how evaluators formulate opinions, how credibility and response style are assessed, how referral questions shape the scope of the work, and what distinguishes a thorough, methodologically sound evaluation from a weak or incomplete one. The goal is to equip attorneys with a clearer understanding of the evaluation process so they can better prepare clients, interpret reports, and examine expert testimony.
Click here to read speaker Dr. Stephen M. Humphrey, Ph.D.’s bio.
CLC VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION
Case Review Open Forum
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
1:00 – 2:00 PM
This will be a “Lunch & Learn” open forum with CLC Executive Director Justine Rakich-Kelly for Family Court GALs and Attorneys to “case review” challenging cases and discuss emerging trends in Family Court.
Sponsored by the State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Public Defender.
CLC VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION
This is DCF
Friday, March 20, 2026
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Learn about DCF’s mandates for child protective services and behavioral health, differential response system (FAR and investigations), safety practice, prevention services, legal authority, and much more.
Presented by Zoey Stout and Ken Mysogland, DCF Office of Legal Affairs
Sponsored by the State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Public Defender
CLC VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION
Objective Advocacy & Decision-Making in Child Welfare & Family Court
Friday, March 6, 2026
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Strengthen your professional judgement and advocacy in child welfare, family court,
and education cases.
Sponsored by the State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Public Defender
CLC VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION
Court Mandated Substance Testing & Monitoring
Friday, February 27, 2026
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Speaker: Steven Paymer of Paymer Associates Drug Testing
Click here to read Steven’s bio: https://bit.ly/46c4Bal
Sponsored by the State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Public Defender
CLC VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION
Case Review Open Forum
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
1:00 – 2:00 PM
This will be a “Lunch & Learn” open forum with CLC Executive Director Justine Rakich-Kelly for Family Court GALs and Attorneys to “case review” challenging cases and discuss emerging trends in Family Court. Sponsored by the State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Public Defender.
Click here to read Justine’s bio: https://clcct.ejoinme.org/CaseReview
CLC VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION
Child Development and
Parenting Plans
Friday, February 6, 2026
1:00 – 3:00 PM
In our first virtual training of 2026, Jodie Comer Oshana PhD, JD will be presenting on child development and how developmental stages inform parenting plans. Sponsored by the State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Public Defender.
Click here to view Jodie’s bio: https://bit.ly/49IJgpK
