Advancing Pretrial Policy and Research (APPR) is offering a free virtual training: Strengthening Pretrial Responses to DV/IPV in DuPage County, Illinois: An Introduction to APPR’s DV/IPV Self-Assessment. The training will take place on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 1 to 2:00 p.m. ET.
About the Training
Every year, domestic and intimate partner violence (DV/IPV) affects millions of Americans. Addressing DV/IPV in the pretrial phase requires nuanced methods to balance the safety of victims and the rights of the people accused. APPR’s new self-assessment resource is designed to help pretrial system and community stakeholders evaluate their responses to DV/IPV during the pretrial period to ensure their policies and approaches align with best practices. Criminal justice and community stakeholders in DuPage County, Illinois, recently became the first to deploy the APPR’s DV/IPV Pretrial Self-Assessment.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the purpose and benefits of the DV/IPV Pretrial Self-Assessment.
- Identify how the self-assessment strengthens pretrial responses to domestic and intimate partner violence.
- Apply the DV/IPV Self-Assessment to evaluate alignment with pretrial best practices, using DuPage County, Illinois, as a case example.
Training Faculty
Dr. Kelvin L. Banks, associate director, Center for Effective Public Policy
Dr. Banks has over 25 years of experience in the justice system, with more than 10 years in pretrial justice. He was previously the director of pretrial services in Harris County, Texas, and for the Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan.
Keilah Joyner, program associate, Center for Effective Public Policy
Ms. Joyner supports the National Resource Center on Justice-Involved Women, including the Gender-Informed Practices Assessment and an initiative focusing on the assessment of gender-responsive policies and practices. She also provides programmatic and training support to APPR. Before joining CEPP, Ms. Joyner worked for the Florida Commission on Offender Review and various nonprofit agencies.
Honorable Ann Celine O. Walsh, Circuit Judge, 18th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois, Felony Division
Judge Ann Celine O. Walsh is a Circuit Judge in Illinois’ 18th Judicial Circuit Court in DuPage County. Appointed as an associate judge in 2014 and to circuit judge in 2019, she currently hears felony criminal cases. Prior to her judicial role, she was a supervisor in the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office, specializing in sex crimes and domestic violence.
Catherine Jones, founder, Breaking Free MVMT
Catherine is the Founder of Breaking Free MVMT, an initiative dedicated to helping women move beyond trauma and the labels it imposes. Through personal growth, education, healing opportunities, and the power of finding and using their voices, she empowers women to reclaim and live out their identity.
She also serves as Co-Director of Outreach and Partnership Development at the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth and is a proud member of the Incarcerated Children’s Advocacy Network (ICAN). Catherine is a highly sought-after public speaker and content expert on criminal justice reform, engaging diverse audiences nationwide. Her powerful story, along with her insights and expertise, has been featured in numerous articles, podcasts, and documentaries.
Catherine was incarcerated at the age of 13 and released at 30. Her experiences as a child in the penal system sparked her passion to be a voice for those left behind and those who will come after her. As a system-impacted survivor of domestic violence, she is deeply committed to supporting others on their healing journeys. When she’s not wearing her advocacy cape, Catherine relishes her role as Mommy to her four beautiful children.
Application Process
If you are interested in attending the training on May 20, please register here.
Please direct any questions to Samuel Steed, operations assistant at the Center for Effective Public Policy, at ssteed@cepp.com.
