SCRIPT
Summit on Community Resilience, Intervention, Prevention, and Training
STOP THE STIGMA
Kashira Rodgers
Discovery Tours
Dr. Kashira Rodgers is a forensic psychologist. She addresses diverse topics including gang intervention, human trafficking, violence against all genders, sexual assault and mental health. Dr. Rodgers currently provides individual therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention and court- ordered psychological evaluations. Awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Vital Intervention and Directional Alternatives (VIDA) program, Dr. Rodgers is also the F=founder of Facing Our Facts, a community agency providing individual counseling and support groups for survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, domestic violence, adults molested as children and victims of violent crimes. Dr. Rodgers has devoted her life’s work to addressing trauma in the African American community and at-risk youth.
Brittney Montgomery
Operations Director
In 2009 she received several awards and recognitions for community engagement from the Los Angeles City Attorney, Department of Defense, Los Angeles Police Department, and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. In 2013 she was given a distinguished teaching award for Outstanding Public Service Teaching. She currently is a peer reviewer on several academic journals and is part of the Medical Advisory Board for Quality Health. In 2015 she became a regular Tuesday night co-host of the weekly syndicated radio show Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) on Blog Talk Radio with Bill Murray. She is on the board of directors for The National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan (NPEIV) relating to public awareness and publicity. She is on the advisory board for A Better LA. She is an invited consultant involving academic program review and evaluation, both nationally and internationally. She is also an invited speaker pertaining to community gang intervention. She now focuses her clinical practice on male survivor issues of abuse, violence and trauma. She has written a number of encyclopedia entries related to crime and justice for Sage publications (Encyclopedia of Transnational Crime and Justice and Encyclopedia of Criminal Justice Ethics). Currently, her research focuses on diversity issues connected to forensic community mental health and male survivor trauma. Her book about male survivor relationships with their significant others, “His History, Her Story” is due out in August 2017. In her spare time, she creates trainings for law enforcement and attorneys related to mental health and the court system. It should be noted that in all of her professional endeavors she involves students for professional development.
Captain Ann Young
Discovery Tours, LAPD RET
Ms. Brittney Montgomery received her bachelors in psychology from California State University, Northridge before continuing her education at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology to pursue a doctorate in forensic psychology. Ms. Montgomery is currently taking a break from her academic pursuits to help raise her family while working in the hospitality industry. She enjoys spending time with her kids at the beach, going to the park, the zoo, or other fun adventures in her free time.
Aquil Basheer
Cofounder, PCITI
Dulce Acosta
USC
Angela Benveniste
Faculty, Mt. St. Mary
Dr. Benveniste is an experienced Faculty Director with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in non-profit organizations, sociology of education, educational assessment, psychology, applied psychology, sociology of culture, medical social work, foster care, and economic and racial inequality. Strong professional with a Research Doctorate focused in Social Work from the University of Southern California.
A CPA and graduate of the USC Marshall business school, Scot is the president of Allen Packaging Company, a packaging products distribution company in Tustin, CA. He is a board member of the USC Athletics Board of Counselors and of A Better LA (a non-profit organization established by former USC football coach Pete Carroll to change the culture of gang violence in L.A. communities). Scot is involved with the USC Athletics Trojan Outreach and the annual USC Community Safety Conference as well as the planning committee for SCRIPT.
Sonya Carey, M.S.
Sonya Administrative Services Director and Academic Coordinator
Dr. Basheer has been described as “One of the nation’s premier, practitioner-based Violence Intermediation Professionals, Elite Public Safety Experts and Hard-Core Gang Intervention Specialists” in society today. He is recognized as being at the top of a league of specialists in the area of discipline and acknowledged as one of the most accomplished authorities in this field of expertise. Dr. Basheer is also a highly regarded Adjunct Professor and subject matter expert at Alliant University International. He instructs & consults worldwide and has trained thousands in the area of expertise.
Sonya Carey is a former foster youth and foster care advocate. She is a recent graduate and part of the first cohort for the Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management at USC. She is the author of Make It or Bake It: Recipes for Transitioning Foster Youth. She has been working in food service for more than 15 years and has worked as a food service manager for LAUSD and Chicago Public Schools. Currently, she is working as an administrative services coordinator/manager for Dr. Debra, LLC helping to build e-courses through the LLU, provide HR support, and assist in building up the Dr. Debra, LLC brand through social media.
Dr. Warner received her Master of Arts and Master of Education in counseling psychology from Columbia University, Teachers College, in New York City. She completed her doctorate in Forensic Psychology from Alliant International University, in Fresno. She has served as an adjunct professor for several universities and as Lead Faculty for Chapman University's Marriage and Family Therapy program. She is currently a Full Professor for the Los Angeles campus of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology's Psy.D. program in Clinical Forensic Psychology. She has also served as Special Assistant to the Dean of Academic Affairs: Diversity and Community Engagement and Lead Faculty for the Forensic Psychology department for Los Angeles and Irvine. Some of her other professional assignments have included the Department of Homeland Security, Los Angeles Police Department, C.U.R.E.-A Better Los Angeles, the Department of Defense, the Department of Corrections, and Regional Center. For these assignments, she designed the program elements related to mental health and evaluation. Moreover, she served as clinical supervisor relating to human trafficking, trauma, PTSD and multicultural therapeutic techniques.
Debra Warner
Conference Director
CEO, Dr. Debra LLC
Captain Ann Young retired from the Los Angeles on July 13, 2016, after a 35 year career.
Captain Young was appointed to the Department in June of 1981. She promoted to include
Police Officer III (Training Officer) in 1984. She worked as an undercover narcotics officer
before promoting to the rank of Detective in July of 1988. As a detective she worked 77 th Area,
Juvenile Division (Abused Child Unit), Robbery Homicide Division (Rape Special Section) and
Internal Affairs Division. Young was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1991. During that
assignment, she was assigned as a field supervisor in Central Area. She transferred to South
Traffic Division after her probationary period as a sergeant had ended. She was upgraded to
Sergeant II and was assigned to Tactical Planning Section in charge of Special Events.
In July of 1995, Young was promoted to Lieutenant, Her assignments included Hollywood Area,
Pacific Area, and Transit Group. In March of 1999, she promoted to Lieutenant II and was
assigned as the Commanding Officer of Operations Support Division, Van Nuys Area. In April
2000 Young was promoted to Captain and became the First African American Woman to be
promoted to the rank of Captain in the history of the Los Angeles Police Department. In 2002,
Young was promoted to Captain II and was assigned to South Traffic Division. As a captain, she
worked Central Traffic Division and Detective Support and Vice Division. Her last assignment
was Central Traffic Division.
Captain Young earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology at the University of
California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She earned a teaching credential from the University of
California, Irvine. Captain Young earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of
Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Captain Young is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy of Law
Enforcement in Quantico, Virginia, in 1998, Class 195 Session. She is also a graduate of the
West Point Leadership Program and Supervisory Leadership Institute.
Larry Britton
Discovery Tours
Dr. Larry Britton is a Clinical Forensic Psychologist and Adjunct Professor. Dr. Britton currently provides individual therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention, psychological testing, and court-ordered psychological evaluations. Dr. Britton also teaches various courses in the fields of criminal justice, sociology, and both clinical and forensic Psychology in the higher education sectors. His research interests include topics dealing with post-incarcerated individuals, homelessness, psychological testing, and violence.
Scot Obler
USC
Dulce Acosta serves as your Senior Principle Director for the University of Southern California
for Community and Local Government Partnerships. Joining the University Relations team was
not a decision but a calling. Growing up less than a mile from the USC's Health Campus, I
witness the obstacles and barriers community members face daily, unemployment, poverty,
violence, and social determinants of health. Limited resources plague our families. I was
discouraged by the lack of career opportunities in my community. I interacted with the best
plumbers, seamstresses, and mechanics growing up. However, the only professionals I
interacted with were my teachers. Youth in our community lack professional networks, careers,
exposure, and mentorship. My personal and professional goal is to eliminate the gap by utilizing
my platform within and beyond the University. Witnessing the importance of networking stems
from my experience at USC.
Over two decades ago, I became employed at USC, and witnessing professionals led me to
believe that I, too, could return to school. It was hard to find in myself; the reality of being an
unsuccessful high school led me to think I was not good enough. But I decided to work hard and
believe in myself. I received an Associate Degree from East Los Angeles Community College. I
transferred to California State University, Los Angeles, and received a bachelor's degree in
sociology. In 2014, I received my master's degree from the USC School of Social Work. My
academic journey as a full-time employee, student, wife, and mother of four was challenging,
but the opportunity to plant the seed of higher
Roxann Wright, M.S., PsyD
Regional Center
Roxann Wright is completing her final year of the Clinical Forensic Psychology Doctoral Program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology – Los Angeles. Roxann holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology for the Helping Professions and a Masters in Forensic Psychology. She has worked as a therapist at Ness Counseling Center, a non-profit for court ordered and voluntary low income client and San Fernando Valley Mental Health Centers for Older Adults FCCS providing mental health care for 55+. Ms. Wright currently works at the Psychology Assessment Resource Center in Rocklin, CA providing psychological assessments/evaluations for forensic, educational, immigration, diagnostic, and treatment purposes.
The SCRIPT Conference