Forensic Evaluation of Juveniles: Principles and Practice | May 20-22, 2026 | IN-PERSON

The Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy presents:

Forensic Evaluation of Juveniles: Principles and Practice | May 20-22, 2026 at ILPPP in Charlottesville, VA

Please click here for a detailed agenda.

Training Description

The ILPPP is now conducting its longstanding training on forensic evaluations of juveniles in a hybrid format. This is a “flipping the classroom” model that combines approximately 12 hours of self-paced online video lectures with close to three days of in-person learning activities at the ILPPP. We developed this hybrid model to blend the convenience of self-paced online learning with the individualized, hands-on workshop experience that can only come from live teaching.

The self-paced online component includes pre-recorded lectures and recommended readings hosted on UVA Canvas Connect, the University of Virginia’s online learning platform. The online component of this program consists of nine pre-recorded training videos, on average 30-60 minutes each. You can watch these at your own pace.

Online and in-person content covers five basic content areas:

1. Introduction to juvenile forensic evaluation
2. Adjudicative competence in juvenile court
3. Research and clinical parameters of adjudicative competency
4. Other types of juvenile forensic evaluations
5. Expert testimony and other forensic issues in juvenile court

Virginia DBHDS-Recognized Training for Juvenile Competency Evaluators

This training was designed in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to meet Virginia’s statutory requirements that eligible clinicians conducting juvenile competency evaluations complete training recognized by the Commissioner of DBHDS. Per Virginia Code §16.1-356, eligible clinicians include psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed marriage and family therapists. Over 95% of Virginia evaluators become qualified to conduct court-ordered juvenile competency evaluations by completing this training, which permits them to be placed on the approved evaluators list maintained by DBHDS. Although the training is tailored to Virginia law, the vast majority of the content is applicable to professionals practicing in any jurisdiction.

Instructors

Pre-recorded and in-person lectures are provided by a diverse team of forensic clinicians and attorneys. Lead faculty and point of contact for this training is Lucy Guarnera, PhD, juvenile training coordinator at the ILPPP. 

Continuing Education

Participants can expect to receive 18 hours of continuing education credits (CEs) through the ILPPP, which is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to offer continuing education to psychologists. ILPPP maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Due to APA requirements, we can award CEs only for the in-person component of the training. Upon completion of the in-person portion of the training, participants will be sent a Qualtrics survey link to evaluate the training. Personalized CE certificates will be provided at the end of the Qualtrics survey. While completion of the evaluation is not required to be awarded continuing education credits, we would greatly appreciate your feedback.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer continuing education for psychiatrists, attorneys, or social workers at this time. Please contact us with any questions.

Training Fees

$1,125.00 Standard Registration

$550.00 DBHDS/CSB Employees*

*If you are a DBHDS/CSB employee, please use this discount code to get the reduced price: JBASIC26

You must register with your DBHDS/CSB email address to receive this reduced price. Please note that the reduced price is available only for DBHDS and CSB employees, rather than all state employees, because DBHDS subsidizes this training program for their employees.

Occasionally, large facilities or state agencies outside of Virginia want to send a team of trainees, for whom we can arrange a discounted group rate. Please contact our training coordinator Walker Hill at kwh4pyd@uvahealth.org to discuss such arrangements. 

Refund Policy:

Full refunds are available up to one week prior to the training date. No refunds will be issued within one week of the training. To request a refund, email Walker Hill, Training Program Coordinator, at kwh4pyd@uvahealth.org.

Timeline for Online Component

You will have access to all online learning materials, including the online videos, on UVA Canvas Connect until March 2027. The in-person portion of the training is three days at ILPPP and includes live lectures, training videos, practice evaluations, and a final exercise.

Confidentiality/Copyright

Lectures and manuals are copyrighted to the University of Virginia. As such they cannot be used or reused without the explicit permission of UVA.    

Contact

If you have technical difficulties or have any questions about this training, please contact juvenile training coordinator Lucy Guarnera at guarnera@virginia.edu or 434-924-8264 or our clinic coordinator Walker Hill at kwh4pyd@uvahealth.org