Yolanda Cruz is a passionate advocate for inclusivity and accessibility within law enforcement and the emergency response sectors. With over 20 years of experience in various capacities, Yolanda has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between disability awareness and effective response strategies for first responders. Most importantly, her passion stems from having her sibling who was diagnosed with developmental disabilities and schizophrenia. He is the reason she is so passionate about this work.

As a Disability Awareness Trainer for Law Enforcement and First Responders, Yolanda brings a unique perspective to her training sessions, emphasizing the importance of empathy, understanding, and effective communication when interacting with individuals with disabilities. Her engaging approach fosters an environment of learning and growth, empowering law enforcement officers and emergency responders to better serve their communities.

Yolanda's expertise extends to her role as a Police Academy Instructor for the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), where she shares her knowledge and insights with the next generation of law enforcement professionals. Through interactive training modules and real-life scenarios, she instills crucial skills and awareness that are essential for modern policing.

She serves on the 988 Statewide Standards and Guidance Workgroup committee. In this capacity, she collaborates with stakeholders to develop policies and protocols that ensure individuals in crisis, including those with disabilities, receive the support and assistance they need in a timely and respectful manner. In addition to this, she holds a CIT Coordinator certification and volunteers her time as the Board Treasurer for CIT International, a leading organization dedicated to promoting CIT programs worldwide. Her strategic leadership and financial acumen help sustain and expand CIT initiatives, making a meaningful impact on law enforcement practices and community relations.

Scarlett vonThenen is an authority in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), with a tenure exceeding two decades. Her multifaceted career is marked by her commitment to advancing the quality of life for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through the provision of comprehensive training, technical assistance, capacity enhancement, and systemic change advocacy focused on improvements in process, practice, infrastructure, and policy.

In her role as a Public Agency Representative for the Orange County Child Care and Development Planning Council, Scarlett steers initiatives that significantly impact community standards and care quality for young children with disabilities. Her professional journey encompasses a broad spectrum of the I/DD sector, ranging from initiating early start services to advocating for the rights of adults with I/DD across various critical platforms, including special education, Regional Center, IHSS, Medicaid/healthcare meetings, and Social Security disability benefits appeals. Scarlett's commitment is to ensure that individuals with I/DD receive the respect, support, and opportunities they deserve.

Scarlett is a certified instructor for the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) through the Academy Instructor Certification Course (AICC) as well as a certificated work incentives practitioner navigating the interplay between employment and Social Security work incentives.

Christman Bio

Officer Christopher Christman is a 29-year veteran of the Seattle Police Department, he is currently assigned to the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy as a TAC Officer.

As a TAC Officer, he is responsible for curriculum development and daily instruction of Basic Law Enforcement Academy classes/topics including: Social Contacts, Terry Stops and Probable Cause Arrests, Crisis Intervention Techniques, Multiple Officer Building Search, Traffic/High Risk Vehicle Stops, etc.

From 2017-2022, Officer Christman was a full-time instructor in the Seattle PD Education and Training Section, where he was the department’s lead CIT/De-Escalation instructor. In this role, he was responsible for developing and instructing SPD’s annual CIT curriculum for all sworn Seattle officers. He instructed on CIT related topics including Verbal De-Escalation, Tactical De-Escalation, Response to Suicidal Subjects and Law Enforcement & Autism. Officer Christman was also responsible for ensuring that SPD’s CIT/De-Escalation training met the requirements agreed upon in 2012 as part of SPD’s Settlement Agreement with the US Dept. of Justice.

Ofc. Christman has presented his classes on both a multi-state regional and National level including at the 2019/2021 CIT International Conferences and 2022 International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association Conference.

Additionally, in 2019 Ofc. Christman’s “Law Enforcement & Autism” class was selected by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center to be mandatory state-wide curriculum for every sworn law enforcement officer in Washington State.

Officer Christman has presented at many international conferences and has volunteered his time in California, presenting his Law Enforcement & Autism class.