SWIM Conference

PDAP’s inaugural SWIM conference took place in Harrisburg in August 2024, the first program of its kind to focus exclusively on Public Defender SWIM (Social Worker/social service advocate, Investigator, Mitigator) staff. The purpose behind the conference was to create a space for engaging, connecting and training the SWIM community.

Programming consisted of plenary sessions, keynote and panel discussions, and breakout workshops designed specifically for investigators or social service/mitigation staff. Featured topics included the role that race plays in SWIM work, building relationships with clients and witnesses, creative mitigation, foundations of DNA evidence, the impacts of client-centered defense, and much more.

Speaking on the impact of both this conference and the surrounding community, an anonymous participant wrote, “SWIM is a valuable resource for me to connect with others. I am inspired by the work everyone does. Everyone is so kind and I feel comfortable reaching out for help when needed.”

PDAP hopes to have more updates about upcoming SWIM events in the near future, as we recognize that it is especially important for members of this community to have a chance to connect and exchange knowledge with one another. In the meantime, we continue to offer social service referral resources as well as SWIM-specific training and resources. We also encourage anyone interested to sign up for our listserv for information on SWIM-specific meetups, trainings, and resources.