2025 Annual Conference Request for Proposals

The Georgia Commission on Family Violence (GCFV) invites you to submit proposals for workshops, case studies, interactive sessions, and film screenings for our 31st Annual Conference. The theme for the 2025 conference is "Navigating the New NOT Normal." We will prioritize workshop topics that focus on the evolving dynamics of abuse and innovative approaches to victim safety.

 Proposals should emphasize practical, hands-on techniques that attendees can apply in their work, particularly in combating gender-based crimes. Although the many featured workshops will differ in scope, all GCFV Conference workshops should incorporate the following features:

  • Practical strategies and tips for implementing the session content
  • Real-life examples
  • High levels of audience interaction
  • Allocate time for questions and answers at the end of the workshop

Before submitting a workshop proposal, please review the RFP submission guidelines thoroughly. 

The deadline for submitting a proposal for the 2025 GCFV Conference is 11:59 AM on February 2, 2025. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.  To submit your application, Click here. 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your proposal before submitting it, please email [email protected].

 

Session Setup

Our 2024 GCFV Conference yielded approximately 600 attendees.

  • There are approximately 30 workshop slots to fill. 
  • All workshop breakout sessions accommodate 100 to 125 participants.
  •  Speakers are required to bring their own laptops, clickers, and adapters for Mac laptops.
  • Sessions should be developed for delivery in 90-minute segments. Presentations requiring more than 90 minutes should be proposed as two separate sessions (i.e., parts 1 and 2). However, each session must be designed to last a full 90 minutes.

INTERACTIVE SESSIONS

90 minutes

Interactive sessions enrich the learning experience by incorporating activity-based exercises such as break-out groups, role-playing, and other active engagement elements. It’s important to note that traditional Q&A during the presentation does not qualify as interactivity. 

Key components of interactive sessions include:

  • **Practical Strategies**: Providing actionable tips for how attendees can integrate the session’s content into agency policies, protocols, and/or practices.
  • **Real-Life Examples**: Utilizing relevant examples to illustrate concepts and enhance understanding.
  • **Outcome-Based Objectives**: Establishing clear objectives focused on the results of the interactive exercises.

FILM SCREENINGS

90 minutes

  • One to two screenings may be selected for viewing each year.
  • Total runtime for film screenings should not exceed 75 minutes, with at least 15 minutes allocated for Q&A discussion or final takeaways. 
  • If your film/workshop is selected, a preview link to screen the film and discussion questions must be presented to GCFV at the time of application. Film screening links can be sent to [email protected] after you have submitted a completed RFP.

CASE STUDIES

90 minutes

Case studies are often popular sessions at training conferences, offering attendees an invaluable opportunity to learn from the reflections on real-life situations. 

  • For case study workshops, GCFV requests that presenters guide attendees through multiple phases of a case or cases, preferably covering aspects from the initial investigation through prosecution and any post-trial or conviction follow-up outcomes. Proposals should demonstrate how the extent of cross-disciplinary and interagency interactions influenced each phase of the case, including the final outcome. Key takeaways should highlight lessons learned, tips for interdisciplinary and interagency collaboration, and innovative investigative or prosecutorial approaches.
  •  GCFV strongly prefers case studies featuring at least two presenters from different professions, such as a prosecutor, investigator, advocate, or survivor. These sessions are most effective when attendees can learn about the case from multiple perspectives.
  •  Please note that case studies are selected based on the educational value of the proposal, rather than for sensationalism.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS

90 minutes

Panel discussions should tackle complex, or broad, high-interest issues that require collaboration and input from multiple disciplines. The GCFV Conference panel discussions will include:

  • A maximum of four (4) panel speakers.
  • Panel speakers from diverse disciplines.
  • An appointed moderator to facilitate the discussion.
  • A Q&A session either during or at the end of the discussion.

 

 

GENERAL CONTENT FOR WORKSHOPS

Although the many featured workshops will differ in scope, all GCFV Conference workshops should incorporate the following features:

  • Practical strategies and tips for implementing the session content
  • Real-life examples
  • High levels of audience interaction
  • Allocate time for questions and answers at the end of the workshop

NOTE: Proposals addressing practical techniques to combatting gender-based crimes are encouraged. In addition, we are seeking the following topics for 2025:

  • Civil/Family Law
  • Clinical Considerations (therapy, counseling, social work, etc.)
  • Family Violence Intervention Program Content
  • Community Engagement
  • Corrections/Probation & Parole
  • Expert-level Investigative and Prosecution techniques
  • Immigration Considerations for law enforcement and prosecutors
  • Intersectionality and Generational Trauma Considerations
  • Judicial Considerations for DV, HT, stalking, and SA cases
  • Latinx Considerations for law enforcement and prosecutors
  • Law-Enforcement specific to patrol, LE training protocols, leadership, responding to DV
  • Prosecution for DV, HT, stalking, and SA cases
  • Stalking Investigations
  • Self Care for professionals working with both survivors and perpetrators
  • Advocating for survivors in polarized political climates
  • Technology-Enabled Abuse
  • Technology innovations (gaming systems, etc.) to connect with and support teenage survivors
  • Recognizing Coercive Control in a Non-Traditional Context
  • Reimagining shelter spaces for holistic healing 
  • Adapting Trauma-informed Care for Virtual Practice
  • TPO Related Topics (both basic and advanced topics)
  • Domestic Violence-Related Law Updates (and/or proposals for new legislation)
  • Multidisciplinary Case Studies
  • Crime Scene Investigations
  • Crisis Negotiation Training
  • Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence
  • Expert Witness Training
  • Strangulation Prosecution
  • Supporting Survivors with Disabilities
  • Disarming Abusers: Removing Firearms from Domestic Violence Offenders
  • Faith Community Role
  • Dating Violence Prevention
  • Supervising DV/SA Offenders
  • Mobile Crisis Units and Remote Interventions

     

Each workshop must select one of the designated education levels. If you are unsure which level to choose, please contact GCFV to discuss your workshop before submission.

Determining Appropriate Audience Professional Experience Level

**Novice**: Refers to individuals who are new to a particular field or task and lack extensive experience and expertise. Typically, novices have been in the field for 0 to 2 years.

 

**Advanced**: Refers to individuals who possess a mastery of skills and a deep understanding of the topic. They can perform the skill with ease and can also teach others to become more proficient. Generally, advanced practitioners have been in the field for 2 to 5 years.

 

**Expert**: This term refers to individuals with extensive knowledge and understanding of a topic gained through life and/or work experiences. Experts often hold additional certifications or formal education that supports their skills. They typically have been in the field for five years or more.

DISCLAIMERS:

**Guidelines for Presenters:**

 

1. **Presentation Content**:  The presentation should not serve as an advertisement or sales pitch. Presenters are limited to brief introductions and providing their contact information. Direct solicitation of attendees is not permitted. For further details, please reach out to the conference organizers.

 

2. **Additional Resources**: While it's optional, we encourage presenters to share supplemental materials. These can include handouts, research, fact sheets, implementation tips, or other guidance. GCFV will provide access to all presentation materials through the conference website, but we will not distribute copies during workshops.

 

3. **Submission Requirements**:  - Presenters must submit a copy of their presentation to GCFV prior to the conference. Any sensitive, confidential, or proprietary information may be omitted or redacted. For any questions or additional information, please contact the conference organizers.

 

5. **Honorarium/Conference Fees**  - GCFV will provide either a $200 honorarium OR a free conference registration for the first two presenters in a selected workshop. If your workshop proposal includes more than two presenters the additional presenters will not be eligible for an honorarium or complimentary conference fees.