Connected IV Life | Mitigation

Welcome to Connected IV Life

Clinical Mitigation, Investigation, and Sentencing Advocacy | Case Management | Mental Health Therapy | | Consultation and Training

Connected IV Life is a trauma-informed practice committed to supporting individuals, youth, and families affected by the criminal legal system. We specialize in clinical mitigation, mental health therapy, case management,

consultation, and training—

all grounded in empathy, equity, and lived experience.

Our goal is to humanize every client’s story by highlighting the personal, social, and systemic factors that shape their lives. Whether we’re providing therapy, building a mitigation report, coordinating reentry plans, or training professionals—we walk alongside our clients with compassion, cultural humility, and

a belief in healing-centered justice.

Mission Statement

At Connected IV Life, our mission is to provide compassionate and comprehensive clinical mitigation services, advocacy, case management, mental health therapy, consultation, and training that are rooted in equity, guided by integrity, and fueled by hope. We strive to empower individuals and communities by addressing systemic barriers, amplifying voices, and fostering healing through culturally responsive and trauma-informed care. Our work is driven by a deep commitment to justice, resilience, and the belief that every person deserves a chance to thrive.

Empowering Futures

At Connected IV Life, we don’t just serve clients—we collaborate with them. We believe in working side by side to chart paths forward that reflect each person’s strengths, values, and goals. Our approach centers on trust, respect, and the understanding that true progress happens when people are active participants in shaping their own future.Through individualized clinical mitigation, trauma-informed therapy, advocacy, and case management, we help clients navigate the challenges they face while identifying the resources and resilience they already hold. Whether someone is involved in the justice system, facing systemic inequities, or seeking healing, we walk with them—never ahead or behind—toward sustainable change.Our commitment is not just to the present moment, but to the future: empowering each client to break cycles, access opportunity, and build a life that reflects their full potential.

Client Stories

At Connected IV Life, we believe every story matters—especially the ones that are overlooked, misunderstood, or silenced. Our work begins with listening. Behind every charge, diagnosis, or circumstance is a human being with a journey that deserves to be seen in full.

We specialize in clinical mitigation, advocacy, case management, mental health therapy, consultation, and training—not just as services, but as tools to help uncover and elevate the full narrative of our clients’ lives. We know that context can change everything. Trauma, systemic barriers, lived experiences, and survival should never be reduced to a paragraph in a report or a moment in court.

By honoring the complexity of each individual’s story, we help systems see people—not just problems. Through trauma-informed care, equitable support, and expert documentation, we craft powerful narratives that speak truth, inspire empathy, and open the door to fairer outcomes and healing paths.

This is the heart of Connected IV Life: where every voice is valued, every story is told with care, and every person is met with dignity and hope.

“At Connected IV Life, we don’t just see the case—we see the person. Our work is rooted in the belief that healing and justice go hand in hand."

Our Approach

Roberta Rinker, LICSW, LCSW-C, LCSW
Chief Executive Officer
Founder | Mitigation Specialist | Licensed Clinician | Consultant | Trainer

As the CEO of Connected IV Life, Roberta brings over a decade of experience working at the intersection of mental health, trauma, and the criminal legal system. A licensed clinician and nationally recognized mitigation specialist, Roberta leads the organization’s mission to humanize justice through culturally responsive, trauma-informed services. Roberta has conducted clinical mitigation assessments, provided expert testimony in state cases, and designed healing-centered interventions for youth and adults facing prosecution. She also serves as a trainer and consultant to legal defenders, school systems, and community organizations, helping others build equity-driven and healing-centered practices.

“My role is to make sure the whole person is seen—and that their story is told with dignity, depth, and truth.”

Iran Parker

Chief Operating Officer

Operations Lead | Case Manager | Investigator | Consultant | Trainer

As Chief Operating Officer, Iran Parker oversees the day-to-day implementation of Connected IV Life’s services, with a focus on case management, investigations, and community-based support. With a background in security and system navigation, Iran ensures that clients not only have strong advocacy but also the tangible resources they need to thrive. Iran has led complex life history investigations for both juvenile and adult cases, collaborated on training and consultations, coordinated reentry services and connected clients with individualized services to meet their goals. His approach blends organizational leadership with deep personal commitment to supporting those most impacted by systemic injustice.

“We don’t just help clients survive—we help them stabilize, grow, and regain control of their lives.”

Meet the
Connected IV Life
Team

Compassionate.

Competent.

Committed to Justice.

At Connected IV Life, our team is made up of dedicated professionals who bring deep experience in social work, clinical practice, and legal system advocacy. We are therapists, mitigation specialists, case managers, trainers and consultants who share a passion for restorative justice, trauma-informed care, and cultural responsiveness.

Each team member brings a unique perspective informed by years of experience working with justice-impacted individuals, youth, and families. We understand the complexities of trauma, systemic inequality, and the power of telling a person’s full story. That’s why we approach every client with empathy, dignity, and a commitment to truth-telling and healing.

Our Services

Clinical Mitigation, Investigation, and Sentencing Advocacy Support

Humanizing Justice through Life Story Investigation

Our clinical mitigation services bring forward the client’s full life context

—trauma, family systems, mental health, and adversity

—to support fair and compassionate outcomes in legal proceedings. Cases accepted include

Youth Offender Adjudication, CINA-Parental Defense, Capital and Non-Capital Criminal Cases in

District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.

Services Offered:

Comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment
Trauma-informed life history investigations
Family, school, medical, juvenile justice, mental health, and other community records review
Client and Collateral Interviews
Family, Friend and Other Resource Conferencing
Support Plan Development
Home and Detention Visits
Report and Expert Testimony preparation
Sentencing advocacy support

“Our reports reveal what the court would otherwise never see.”

Mental Health Therapy

Healing Through Connection and Care

We provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive therapy for individuals and families impacted by the legal system.

Our approach centers healing, identity, and emotional well-being.

Services Offered:

Individual, Group and Family Counseling
Support Groups for Youthful Offenders
Crisis Support and Stabilization
Treatment Methods:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Healing-centered engagement strategies

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”
— Desmond Tutu

Case Management

Whole-Person Support for Every Step Forward

We guide clients and their families through complex systems by

coordinating resources and building individualized plans for long-term stability.

Services Offered:

Reentry planning and support
Housing Support
Education navigation
Employment and vocational referrals
Family engagement and advocacy
Life skills and goal-setting support
DDA and SSDI referrals
Support network development

“They helped us find stability during the hardest time of our lives.”

— Mother of justice-involved youth

Consultation

Expert Insight for Ethical and Equitable Practice
We offer expert consultation for legal teams, public defenders, therapists, schools, and community programs to support trauma-informed and culturally grounded service delivery.

Services include:

Legal mitigation strategy support
Youth engagement planning
Policy and practice reviews
Multidisciplinary team coordination
Case-by-case advisory

“We don’t just consult — we co-create solutions. Our goal is to help systems respond with insight, integrity, and compassion.”

Training

Equipping Professionals to Lead with Compassion and Clarity
We deliver custom training sessions designed to increase awareness, strengthen trauma-informed practices, and improve outcomes for system-impacted populations.

Training Topics include:

Trauma 101: Foundations of trauma-informed care
Child welfare, ADA, and Parents with Disabilities
Working with justice-involved youth
School-to-prison pipeline disruption
Secondary trauma and burnout prevention

“The training changed how our entire team approaches

parents with disabilities.”

– Maryland Child Welfare Organization

Client Testimonials

Alex Young, Maryland

“Connected IV Life's support has been transformative. Through their guidance, I've been able to navigate legal challenges while prioritizing my mental well-being. Their commitment to their clients is truly commendable.”

Morgan James, Maryland

“As a legal professional, I have witnessed the positive impact of Connected IV Life’s services on individuals facing legal complexities. Their dedication to advocating for their clients is unparalleled.”

Lisa Driver, Maryland

“The support I received from Connected IV Life has been invaluable. Their expertise in clinical mitigation and mental health therapy has been pivotal in guiding me towards a positive legal and mental well-being outcome.”