The College of Social Work & Criminal Justice of the Florida Atlantic University® and the National Hispanic & Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center will be hosting a free webinar about the intersection of social work and criminal justice aimed to reduce youth gang involvement.

The word "gangs" often connotes images of tough guys, drive-bys, and face tattoos, but these connotations don't even begin to cut it. During our next "Community Conversation: Illuminating Discussions at the Intersection of Social Work and Criminal Justice", we will discuss why it's high time that we begin rethinking gangs and gang members. Our expert panelists include J Rocky Romero, Ph.D., LMSW, trainer, and consultant for the National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center; and Gabriel T Cesar, Ph.D., assistant professor in the FAU School of Criminology and Criminal Justice who teaches on criminological theory, criminal justice, and gangs with a research emphasis on social control, violence, and youth development.

Learning objectives:

1. Identify risk factors of youth gang involvement.

2. Discuss successful re-entry, prevention and intervention techniques.

3. Discuss specific strategies to reduce youth gang involvement.

Who should attend? This is an intermedia level workshop designed for mental health providers, school mental health providers, faculty and students in social work and criminal justice.

About the presenter: 

J Rocky Romero, PhD, LMSW - Dr. J Rocky Romero is the CEO and owner of JR Romero & Associates, a training and consultant company he started almost 20 years ago. Dr. Romero is a former Assistant Professor for New Mexico Highlands University School of Social Work in Albuquerque, NM. He served as the co-chair for Governor Richardson’s appointed NM Higher Education Department on Cultural Competency Task-Force. Dr. Romero has also served as an Executive Council member for the NM-Consortium for Behavioral Health Training and Research. Also, Dr. Romero completed his doctoral studies at the University of New Mexico in Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies. Dr. Romero has been a trainer and consultant for the NHL-MHTTC for the last ten years. He is focused on culturally appropriate treatment while focusing on reducing health disparities for people of color.