Throw the Doors Wide 4/9/2014. Resource Sharing Project 1. The plan for today. Identify key concepts in trauma-informed services

Transcription

1 Throw the Doors Wide Meeting the Complex Needs of Trauma Survivors with Trauma- Informed Services Kris Bein Resource Sharing Project The plan for today Identify key concepts in trauma-informed services Identify ways to apply TIS to trauma-specific agencies and advocacy Identify actions to use TIS in our own practice Trauma is not a disorder but a reaction to a kind of wound. It is a reaction to profoundly injurious events and situations in the real world, and indeed, to a world in which people are routinely wounded Trauma is a concrete physical, cognitive, affective, and spiritual response by individuals and communities (Burstow, 2003). Resource Sharing Project 1

2 Trauma happens in social context. Resource Sharing Project 2

3 Trauma happens to bodies. Trauma happens to relationships. Resource Sharing Project 3

4 Trauma symptoms arising from past violence and absence of a safe environment create obstacles to services, treatment, and recovery for survivors Strategies that survivors develop for selfprotection, combined with the posttraumatic stress symptoms of hyperarousal or avoidance, make a survivor s entrance into a service setting seem fraught with danger. Unacknowledged or untreated trauma and related symptoms interfere with seeking help; hamper engagement in treatment; and make relapse more likely (Elliott et al., 2005). Trauma-Informed Service Universal precaution Adaptable Supports workers Human service systems become trauma-informed by thoroughly incorporating, in all aspects of service delivery, an understanding of the prevalence and impact of trauma and the complex paths to healing and recovery (Fallot & Harris, 2009). Resource Sharing Project 4

5 Trauma-specific services directly address trauma and its impact and facilitate trauma recovery (Fallot & Harris, 2009) Safety Consistent Predictable Nonviolent Non-shaming Non-blaming Respectful Resource Sharing Project 5

6 Trustworthiness TIS recognizes the long-term and pervasive impact of violence Clear boundaries & defined roles Share information Choice & Control Personal experience of choice builds the ability to direct life and dream Giving choices fosters safe relationships Conscious, intentional, and verbalized Involve survivors in program evaluation and design Collaboration Partnership approach to services Opportunities to be with other survivors and offer mutual support Gives workers new source of knowledge and strength Resource Sharing Project 6

7 Empowerment Partnership approach to services Build on strengths Create opportunities for survivors to do and give Cultural Relevance TIS takes social and political factors into account Meaning of violence and trauma varies across cultures Be open to learning and asking questions Resource Sharing Project 7

8 Outreach & Community Work Community collaborations Seeking permission Creating safe spaces & having visible presence Screening Range of tools & techniques Universal screening Respect privacy & dignity Provide boundaries and choices Organizational & Program Design Everybody needs to get involved in change throughout agency Create or change specific programs & collaborations Resource Sharing Project 8

9 Service Planning & Delivery Collaborative goal-setting Maximize choices Service plans Self-care skills Ongoing supervision & support for staff Evaluation Collaborate with survivors Assess workers needs Do a walk-through Set goals for change Kris Bein, Asst. Coordinator Resource Sharing Project or kris@iowacasa.org Resource Sharing Project 9

10 References Davies, J. (2007). Helping sexual assault survivors with multiple victimizations and needs: A guide for agencies serving sexual assault survivors. Iowa City, IA: Greater Hartford Legal Aid, Inc. and The University of Iowa School of Social Work. Elliott, D., Bjelajac, P., Fallot, R., Markoff, L., & Reed, B.G. (2005). Trauma-informed or trauma-denied: Principles and implementation of trauma-informed services for women. Journal of Community Psychology33(4), pp Fallot, R., and Harris, M. (2009). Creating Cultures of Trauma- Informed Care (CCTIC): A Self-Assessment and Planning Tool. Retrieved October 21, 2010 from Jennings, A. (2004). Models for developing trauma-informed behavioral health systems and trauma-specific services. National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. Resource Sharing Project 10