Wednesday, 3/19/2025

**All Courses will be held in the Lower Conference Center, unless otherwise noted in BOLD print**

"Guide to Understanding Autism" | 8:00 - 12:00

Description:

This presentation will assist you in developing a deeper understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), gaining recognition in identifying behaviors associated with ASD, learning how disparities can be barriers, assisting in informing law enforcement response and gaining strategies and practices to promote safe, effective, and positive outcomes when in situations involving ASD.

Presenter:

Kelly Friesen is a Registered Public Health Nurse with over three decades of experience. She has dedicated her career to advocating for others in both acute care and community settings. Her journey into autism advocacy began in 2001 when her son was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, leading her to educate herself and others, earning autism certification through the Autism Society of Minnesota in 2016. In 2022, she founded Friesen Holistic Services LLC, pioneering Nurse Advocate Services to enhance life skills and foster independence for neurodiverse individuals. Her advocacy extends to roles like the Minnesota Waiver Reimagine Advisory Committee and testimony before the Minnesota Senate Human Services Committee. Kelly's work with law enforcement has been crucial for her son's development, and her informed policing instruction bridges understanding between the autism community and law enforcement, a connection deepened by her daughter's marriage to a police officer.

"Data Practices for Emergency Communications" | 1:30 - 3:30

Description:

In an era that many call the information age,it is more important than ever that everyone who works in local government have a basic understanding of state law relating to the collection, distribution and management of government data. This course presents a brief overview of the key aspects of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and how to reduce your civil, administrative and criminal exposure for alleged violations of this important law as it pertains to 9-1-1 personnel.

Presenter:

Rick Hodsdon retired after over 33 years in the Washington County Attorney’s Office in Stillwater, Minnesota, where he was assigned to several divisions and served ten years as the first assistant. Then and now, Rick deals with numerous aspects of government operations, including data practices, HIPAA, the sheriff’s office, personnel matters and criminal prosecution, gun laws,and civil litigation. He has been the Minnesota Sheriffs' Association legal counsel since 1987. Rick is on the faculty of Northwestern University Police Command School and teaches throughout the United States on matters of employment law and criminal justice issues. He is also an executive member of the National Sheriff's Association Legal Affairs Committee and works with and advises several other national law enforcement and legal organizations. Rick has a J.D. and master’s degree in public administration and is admitted to practice before the courts of Minnesota, 8th Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Court.

"Stress Reduction Strategies: The Hero's Choice" | 3:45 - 4:45

Description:

911 call centers across the United States are staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with police, fire, and emergency dispatchers. Long shifts, complex and demanding calls, a fast-paced environment, and working in an emotionally charged setting can cause work-related stress for emergency dispatchers.According to the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED), certified dispatchers should continually seek to maintain and improve their professional knowledge, skills, and competence and should seek continuing education whenever available. Despite the importance of self-care among both novice and veteran emergency dispatchers, evidence suggests that dispatch supervisors and workplaces in general have done little to actively promote a culture of self-care among dispatchers.

Emergency dispatchers provide help to people in need, but how often do dispatchers take care of themselves when facing personal challenges and struggles? In this time-saving and cost-effective training, you will learn the common-sense fundamentals to combat work related stress. Using our HERO’S CHOICE Model, you and your team will learn the basic fundamentals to manage the effects of workplace stress to support a healthier, more sustainable workforce. This model has been developed by line dispatchers and professional clinicians.

The overall goal of the program is to cultivate stress reduction techniques in order to help dispatchers sustain the personal and professional vitality necessary in order to fulfill their responsibility to the public. Our topics will cover:

• The honest facts about dispatcher stress

• Your ethical responsibility to the public

• Strategies to increase resilience, confidence, self-efficacy, and courage

• The impact of organizational cultureResearch-based approaches to self-care

Presenter:

Ted Bourgeois, Director of Education at AEP, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. With a background spanning over four decades in the emergency field, Ted's journey began as a Company medic in the U.S. Army in 1982. Since then, he has continuously evolved his skills and knowledge, becoming proficient in various areas crucial to emergency response. Ted's dedication to education is evident in his extensive training certifications, which include tactical police and fire dispatching, critical incident stress counseling, suicide prevention, domestic violence intervention, hostage negotiation, active shooter response, counter-terrorism tactics, and advanced fire training. His military experience equipped him with essential skills in creating Emergency Action Plans and fundamental emergency procedures. Throughout his career, Ted has transitioned from being an instructor in basic CPR and first aid to becoming an APCO-certified instructor in call-taking and a Certified Training Officer. His commitment to staying updated with industry standards ensures that AEP's educational offerings remain relevant and effective.Now retired from active service, Ted continues to contribute to the emergency response community by promoting industry awareness and providing essential training. His role at AEP involves developing educational material and coordinating the delivery of courses tailored to meet clients' evolving needs.