Description
This training will focus on the foundational principles of Competency to Stand Trial (CST). Various landmark cases, each which have contributed to the competency standard, including in California, will be discussed. The causes of the competency crisis in California and what the California Department of State Hospitals has implemented to address this crisis will also be explored.
Format
Live webinar.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
State the historical and legal underpinnings of Competency to Stand Trial (CST)
Describe how California conceptualizes Competency to Stand Trial
List the ways the California Department of State Hospitals is addressing the competency crisis in California
Outline
- Overview of competency and psycholegal standards
- California standards pertaining to Competency to Stand Trial (CST)
- Overview of the commitment process
- Exploring the competency crisis
Target Audience
Psychiatrist, Physician (Non-Psychiatric), Psychiatric Technician, Psychologist, Counselor/Therapist, Social Worker, Student (Non-Medical), Peer Specialist
Instructional Level
Introductory
Estimated Time to Complete
Estimated Duration: 90 minutes
Program Release 09/01/2026
Program End Date: 09/01/2026
Ongoing Interdisciplinary Discussion Board
After completing the course, engage with colleagues in the mental health field through the Webinar Roundtable Topics discussion board. This is an easy way to network and share ideas with other clinicians who participate in this webinar. Access through the discussion tab.
How to Earn Credit
After completing the evaluation, participants will have the opportunity to claim their hours of participation and download the appropriate certificate. Physicians may obtain an official CME certificate, other healthcare professionals may receive a CE certificate (as applicable), and all other attendees may generate a certificate of participation. Each certificate will reflect the event date and total hours earned.
Continuing Education Credit
In support of improving patient care, American Psychiatric Association (APA) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
The APA designates this live event for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Psychologists
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, American Psychiatric Association (APA) is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. APA maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive up to 1.5 Ethics, Social work practice, knowledge, and skills continuing education credits.
***Continuing education requirements vary from state to state. Many state boards grant reciprocity with national accrediting organizations and other state boards. It is the responsibility of each professional to understand the requirements for license renewal or check with the state or national licensing board and/or professional organization to become more familiar with their policies for acceptable continuing education credit. Social workers and Psychologists should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval.
Faculty and Planner Disclosures
The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity - including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others - are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
Faculty:
- Dr. Yenne completed her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with a Forensic Emphasis at Sam Houston State University. She has worked at DSH-Patton since 2019 and has held a variety of roles including intern, forensic postdoctoral fellow, staff psychologist (primarily working with women committed pursuant to PC 1026 & PC 2962/2972), forensic evaluator, and, more recently, Psychology Training Director (acting). She is board certified in Forensic Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.
- Dr. Kerry A. Hannifin is a Senior Psychologist Supervisor in the Forensic Evaluation Department (FED) at Department of State Hospitals - Patton (DSH-P), a role she has held since 2021. As a supervisor, Dr. Hannifin oversees PC 1370 (Incompetent to Stand Trial, IST) and Murphy Conservatorship (MURCON) forensic operations. Dr. Hannifin developed the IST and MURCON forensic procedures at DSH-Patton. She serves on various state and local workgroups tasked with development of IST programs with the Department of State Hospitals. Prior to working as a supervisor, from 2019-2020, Dr. Hannifin was a forensic evaluator in the FED at DSH-P. Dr. Hannifin worked as a staff psychologist, primarily on PC 1370 (IST) treatment units, at DSH-P, from 2008 until 2019. Dr. Hannifin received her doctorate degree from Azusa Pacific University in 2008. Outside of DSH-P, Dr. Hannifin serves in a variety of forensic roles (e.g., evaluator, consultant, and expert witness) in her private practice.
Program Planners:
- John Torous, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Torous has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Amy N. Cohen, PhD, American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Cohen has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Sherin Khan, LCSW, Thresholds, Chicago. Ms. Khan has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities
The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.
Technical Requirements
This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:
The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
Internet Explorer 11+
This Web site requires JavaScript and session cookies to be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, or Windows Media Player.
Optimal System Configuration:
Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher
Minimum Requirements:
Windows PC:
Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video
For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity |
Contact support@smicaladviser.org for technical assistance