Monthly Attorney Orientation
For Lawyers who are New to Indigent Defense
Beginning August 1, IDS staff will provide orientation for new attorneys on the first Friday of each month from 1-2 p.m.
Topics will include a guided tour of the IDS website, information on training and CLE opportunities, access to wellness resources and more. You will also be able to connect with other defense attorneys for future collaboration!
2025 IDS Forensic Science Education Series – Part 2
IDS and the Mecklenburg Public Defender’s Office offer FREE, regular continuing education to criminal defense and parent attorneys, investigators, and mitigation specialists across North Carolina.
Inside the State Crime Lab: Forensic Testing Explained
July 24: Drug Chemistry – Forensic Scientist Manager Amanda Venable
Aug. 7: Toxicology – Forensic Scientist Supervisor Danielle O’Connell
Sept. 4: Trace Evidence – Forensic Scientist Manager David Freehling
Sept. 18: Mobile Device Examinations and Audio/Video Examinations – Forensic Scientist II Sterling Hunt
Oct. 2: Forensic Biology – Forensic Scientist Supervisor Wendell Ivory
Nov. 6: Firearms – Forensic Scientist Manager Jennifer Slish
Dec. 4: Latent Evidence – Forensic Scientist Managers Summer Maffett and Karen Morrow
IDS Mental Health and Education Series
Monthly sessions are held on the third Thursday of each month from 1-2 p.m. EST.
Topics Include:
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder – July
- Trauma Stewardship for Self and Others – August
- Suicide Prevention – September
- Stress Management for the Holidays – October
- 6 “R”s of Trauma-Informed Care – November
- Perinatal Mental Health – December
The 6 “Rs” of Trauma-Informed Care
2025 Mental Health and Education Series: Session 6
The 6 “Rs” of Trauma-Informed Care
Presented by Carla Huff, LCSW
This session is approved for 60 minutes of CLE Credit.
Schedule: The webinar will be held on Thursday, November 20th from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Please plan to sign on 15 minutes before the start of the webinar to test your connection. The webinar includes a visual presentation, live audio, and interactive Q & A.
Course Sign Up: here
Fee: There is no registration fee for participants.
Description: This 1-hour training introduces participants to the six key principles, or the 6 “Rs” of trauma-informed practice. The impact of trauma will be explored along with examples that are often misunderstood and incorrectly labeled during client interviews and the court process. Simple shifts of language and action steps will be shared that will support clients, defense staff, and court participants to recognize trauma’s impact, reduce re-traumatization, and promote safety, healing and empowerment.
Participants: This webinar is open to public defenders, private attorneys who do indigent criminal defense work, and staff.
Presenter: Carla Huff, MEd, MSW, LCSW: Carla began her career in the United States Army and has also worked as a Juvenile Court Counselor and Special Education Teacher providing support for children and adolescents diagnosed with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI). She later transitioned to working at Alliance Health, a local managed care organization. Here, she covered multiple counties and led two pilot programs—one providing support to caregivers of children with complex health needs, the other supporting community inclusion for individuals transitioning out of long-term care, housing, and incarceration.
Carla currently works at Indigent Defense Services, employed through an NC IOLTA Grant. In this role, she is responsible for attorney recruitment and providing trauma-informed training to staff and contractors. Carla is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has an interest in the impact of trauma, post-traumatic stress injury in civilians and military personnel, and social determinants/drivers of health. When Carla is not working, she tries to be intentional about spending time on her own wellness which includes hiking, bicycling and kayaking.
For more information or if you have differing abilities and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Carla Huff, [email protected], 919-354-7207 or 919-888-0984.
