Skip to content

Learn about the difference we made in 2024:

2024 Impact Report 

Conference

2025 Jacksonville Conference: Reducing Harm Through Mitigation/ Strength in Unity

ARC, Inc. provides this and other trainings at no cost to current and prospective defense practitioners. We do this to eliminate as many barriers to high-quality mitigation training as possible. Although the training is free, attendees are responsible for costs associated with participation such as travel, meals, and accommodations.

Registration for this training is limited to defense practitioners and advocates, including defense attorneys, mitigation specialists, fact investigators, paralegals, justice advocates, and students planning to practice criminal defense or advocacy.

Please direct all questions to Mary Roberts at [email protected].


  • April 9, 2025 - April 11, 2025
  • 8:00 am EDT
  • The Jessie Ball Dupont Center 40 E Adams St. Jacksonville FL
  • Various

  • Free Admission

2025 Jacksonville Conference

Reducing Harm Through Mitigation/ Strength in Unity

Join Advancing Real Change (ARC), Inc. for our 2025 Jacksonville Conference, Reducing Harm Through Mitigation / Strength In Unity, on April 9-11. Presented in partnership with the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, this training event will highlight the importance of advocacy for girls and women and empower defenders to implement mitigation practices within the criminal legal system.

We are honored to welcome an esteemed lineup of speakers including James Dold, Founder and CEO of Human Rights for Kids; Dr. Elizabeth Vartkessian, Executive Director of ARC, Inc.; and Dr. Vicky Basra, President and CEO of the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center. They will share their experiences advocating for the rights of youth and adults and discuss the impacts of their work on clients within the criminal legal system.

Session topics include addressing ethical standards and best mitigation practices, trauma in youth development with practices to reduce harm, defense-initiated victim outreach (DIVO), the impact of childhood incarceration on women and girls, human trafficking, and more. The conference agenda will be made available in early January 2025. 

Registration for this training is limited to defense practitioners and advocates, including defense attorneys, mitigation specialists, fact investigators, paralegals, justice advocates, and students planning to practice criminal defense or advocacy. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility to attend this training, please contact Mary Roberts at [email protected].

Click here for a copy of the agenda

 

CLE / CEU Credits

ARC, Inc. is seeking CLE approval for the Florida State Bar and CEU credits with the National Association of Social Workers. Approval for both is not guaranteed. Upon request, ARC will  provide documentation of attendance or other supporting documents for those wishing to apply for credits independently.

Attendees seeking CLE/CEU credits must sign in and out of sessions to document any absences or extended time away from the conference.

Breakout Sessions

As the conference date approaches, registrants will be asked to select which breakout sessions they plan to attend. This ensures accurate planning for space and scheduling.

Venue

The training will be held at Jessie Ball DuPont Center, located at 40 E Adams St., Jacksonville, FL 32202.

Hotel Accommodations

Attendees are free to book with any of the surrounding hotels for accommodations. Below are just several local hotels within walking distance of the training venue. 

  • Doubletree 0.9 miles from the venue (21 minute walk)
  • Hampton Inn1 mile from the venue (24 minute walk)
  • Marriott–  0.4 miles from the venue (10 minute walk)
  • Hyatt – 0.3 miles from the venue (7 minute walk)

If you have questions, please contact Mary Roberts at [email protected].

Related Events

All Events
Conference

Bring Your Own Case Training (Las Vegas)

The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the Arizona Capital Representation Project (ACRP), and Advancing Real Change (ARC), Inc.,…

  • March 26
  • 9:00 am America/New_York
  • Various faculty

Sign up to receive the latest news and updates from Advancing Real Change, Inc.

We send one to two updates a month about our work and upcoming opportunities. Click the box below if you are a criminal defense practitioner and would like to receive advance notice about training and education events.

By providing your email above, you agree to our Privacy Policy.