(July 13, 2017) -- On July 12, 2017, the Colorado Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) presented its annual excellence and leadership awards to Mike Dunlap, a 21-year veteran of the Department of Corrections (DOC), and Karmen Carter, Executive Director of the nonprofit The Blue Bench.
Mike Dunlap was honored with the Gary Burgin Sex Offender Management or Treatment Leadership Award, which recognizes someone who demonstrates effective leadership in sex offender management/treatment. Winners of this award have a high level of integrity, promote collaboration, achieve positive results, and make significant contributions to their community. Dunlap has worked as a member of the DOC Sex Offender Treatment and Monitoring Program for 21 years, where he has mentored and aided in the development of countless therapists. Dunlap has been instrumental in implementing the Risk Needs Responsivity model within the DOC's high risk population.
"His caring and compassionate demeanor create comfort for the staff in dealing with the inherent adversity of sex offense-specific work," nominator Lenny Woodson wrote. "Mike is committed to his staff and is instrumental in helping professionals process the vicarious trauma they experience." Woodson also noted that Dunlap ensure that the team he leads operates with the victim in mind, and he always "strives to honor the victim in the work we do."
Karmen Carter was honored with the Norma Anderson Excellence in Victim Advocacy Award, which recognizes the work of an individual who exhibits excellence, innovation or creativity in victim representation. Winners of this award demonstrate exceptional compassion, dedication and commitment to victims. Carter is the executive director of The Blue Bench, a nonprofit that aims to eliminate sexual assault and diminish the impact on victims, their loved ones and the community. The nonprofit delivers comprehensive issue advocacy, prevention and care.
Carter regularly represents the voice of victims at SOMB board meetings and by serving on the SOMB Victim Advocacy Committee. She led a pilot grant project for the state incorporating a victim advocate and victim representative on post-conviction sex offender supervision teams. Additionally, Carter serves on various community boards and committees.
"Karmen is a collaborator. She cultivates positive and enduring relationships with donors, volunteers, peer organizations, service providers, community groups, and criminal justice personnel, all of which have improved services for victims of sexual assault," nominator Allison Boyd wrote. "She has an innate ability to bring people together and is extremely articulate in this subject matter."
Dunlap and Carter received the awards at the annual SOMB Conference.