During the week of April 21-23, Christy Broam, Boise State nursing student and 2015 Foster Care Student Nurse Fellow, and Max Veltman, associate professor in the School of Nursing, presented a poster, “Nursing Students in Family Justice Centers: A Clinical Fellowship,” at the 15th Annual International Family Justice Conference in San Diego, Calif.
This presentation was the culmination of a year-long immersion experience involving clinical educational activities related to the promotion of health for children and families dealing with significant violence. During the fellowship, Broam assisted Idaho Department of Health and Welfare caseworkers with investigations and safety planning. She rode with Nampa City Police Officers as they responded to situations involving domestic violence and she worked with nurses and nurse practitioners who provide healthcare to families who are involved in violent situations or the foster care system through the Nampa Family Justice Center.
The culmination of Broam’s fellowship was the planning and organization of a daylong symposium discussing domestic violence and sexual assault. The symposium was held on March 9 at the Boise State University Student Union Building and aimed to give future professionals in the fields of nursing, social work, criminal justice or any profession that works with families a look inside the worlds of domestic violence and sexual assault. Speakers included experts from local law enforcement and local advocacy programs.
The National Family Justice Center Alliance’s annual conference was attended by about 500 professionals; the majority of attendees were law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and social workers. As the health issues of children who are victims of violence become more prevalent and complex, it is important for nurses to be able to work within multidisciplinary teams as they address the needs of victims and bring support and care to those in need.
The fellowship is sponsored by Theresa James, a Boise State nursing alumnae from 1970.