Montana Legal Services Association Empowering low-income people through free legal information, advice and representation.
Talking about Legal Problems with People Living in Poverty
Introductions Alex Clark, Community Outreach Assistant Malia Caldwell, Social Work Practicum Student Melissa Magnuson, Victim Navigator Mel Fisher, Project Coordinator
Sophie s Story
Poverty is a Form of Trauma I have lived in poverty, for most of my life. I remember the smell of mold and mildew. I would watch as my most valuable possessions were destroyed by them. The smell of decay was all around me. I remember being cold and being in houses with no heat or hot water. My scars run long and deep they will always be there. The long lasting effects of trauma stick with you. We never had a working kitchen. My mom would cook food at her parents house and then we would take the food back to wherever we were staying at that moment. Most of the places we lived in had no running water. The past affects the present. I m afraid of not having enough food for my family. I know what it feels like to be hungry but not have the food that you need or want. I have to constantly remind myself that I no longer live that way. But it s the only way I ve ever known. If I get cold or hungry I have learned how to deal with it. It s like when you are being sexually assaulted and you go out of your body to survive. This kind of living goes back in time, too. You are stripped of your dignity. You are ashamed. Your soul feels like a bottomless pit. You feel less than human. The hell that I know came from the environment that I was born into. Now I am in my thirties, and I m still haunted by the trauma and food insecurity. My scars run long and deep they will always be there. The long lasting effects of trauma stick with you. But I refuse to let my past dictate my future. Instead, I m shaped by the idea that while you can t change the past, you can change the future. When I go into a market and see and smell food I feel bliss. It s like I just won the lottery. To know that I can buy a steak if I want to or some seafood is a very priceless feeling. To be able to run hot and cold water is a blessing. Today I am far from my childhood of mold, cold, and hunger. But even though I ve healed so much and don t have to live that way anymore, the effects of early poverty and trauma are still a part of my being. They shape me into the woman I am today. I take what I saw and experienced as a child, and use that to drive me to be a better person for myself, for my family, and for others who live through the trauma of poverty. https://talkpoverty.org/2014/05/19/sherita/
What is trauma Trauma, Poverty, the Brain, and the Body What does trauma and poverty look like: The behaviors Types of trauma Responding to trauma and poverty Activity Q & A References
Trauma what is it? How would you define trauma? Trauma is when we have encountered an out of control, frightening experience that has disconnected us from all sense of resourcefulness or safety or coping or love. (Tara Brach, 2011) A traumatic event can involve a single experience, or enduring repeated events, that completely overwhelm the individual s ability to cope or integrate the ideas and emotions involved in that experience. Traumatizing events can take a serious emotional toll on those involved, even if the event did not cause physical damage. This can have a profound impact on the individual s identity, resulting in negative effects in mind, body, soul and spirit.
Trauma... trauma produces actual physiological changes, including a recalibration of the brain s alarm system, an increase in stress hormone activity, and alterations in the system that filters relevant information from irrelevant. As a result of this recalibration of the brain, people who have been traumatized cannot engage spontaneously in daily life because they have become hypervigilant and fearful.
How Childhood Poverty Can Become Trauma Acute Trauma vs. Long Term Trauma Stress in the body Reasons for Chronic Stress
Trauma time A trauma that happened a day ago or a week ago, or even 30 years ago, lives in the victim s present state of mind; she is viewing her world through the lens of trauma stuck in the time of the trauma. There is no present or future; only past Difficulty in reporting trauma in a linear story Unable to be creative or imaginative Unable to have meaningful relationships or be socially engaged (can appear to be preoccupied)
Poverty and Trauma - Coping Mechanisms Trouble recognizing abuse, performing daily life skills Anger, Aggression, and manipulation Addiction and impulse control Others?
Poverty, Trauma & Dysregulation of Body Systems Growth Elimination Movement Eating Sleeping Digestion. Social engagement system Behavioral Health Long-term Health
Responding to Poverty and Trauma 1. Most importantly: keep in mind that what we are seeing is potentially trauma based Easier to withhold judgment; be more compassionate; avoid labeling as difficult 2. Recognize that re-telling their stories may be re-traumatizing Slow down the process if possible/necessary 3. Encourage the client to tell her story - create a space for flexibility and trust Provide a safe space emotionally and physically How can you help a traumatized person feel safe? Give them your complete attention. 4. Encourage basic self-preservation and mindfulness practices like breathing, taking a break, drinking water. Provide referrals to others in the community who may be able to help
Elder Clients Poverty and Trauma MLSA Case Studies Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims of Identity Theft & Fraud Others
Revisiting Sophie s Story Alex s trauma involving his dog impacted him in several ways: Complete everyday tasks Understand new information Use his senses Long term challenges and inability to cope How do you see these behaviors and challenges play out with library patrons?
Use plain language Talking about Legal problems Practice patience with people who are in crisis Meet people where they are Help people read and complete legal forms and find information Provide referrals to other resources that might help.
Food Resources Montana 211 www.montana211.org
Housing Resources Montana Housing: housing.mt.com/directory List of community partners across Montana Montana Housing Search: www.mthousingsearch.com Search rental properties across Montana for all income levels
Public Benefits Montana SNAP, TANF and Health Coverage Assistance Application: https://apply.mt.gov
Crime Victim Advocates/DV Shelters Department of Justice Office of Victim Services https://dojmt.gov/victims/crimevictim-advocates/ Find a Crime Victim Advocate in your area Montana Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence https://mcadsv.com Find local shelter resources by clicking on the Get Help tab at the top of the page.
MLSA Tools: Online Tools to Help Navigate the Legal System MontanaLawHelp.org (30+ updated articles and search) AskKarla.org Mtlsa.org/risk-detector Crime Victim Website (coming in Winter 2019!) Similar to navigation tool at coloradolinc.org
How to Apply for free legal help Apply Online Mtlsa.org or MontanaLawHelp.org Call the Helpline 1-800-666-6899 Monday thru Friday, 9am to 1pm Visit Billings, Helena, Missoula offices Monday thru Thursday, 8:30-4:30, except 12-1pm
Legal Advice v. Information Legal information Educating the public through neutral statements of law or legal procedure. Legal advice Guiding or directing the public by recommending a specific course of action based on the individual s specific circumstances.
Examples Telling someone what the law says is not legal advice. Example: The law says that the court will look at the children's best interests in deciding on who should have custody. Telling someone what to do based on their facts or what will happen is legal advice. Example: The court will decide custody based on the best interests of the children, so you should file a motion for an evaluator to evaluate your ex s alcohol use and you should win sole custody. Example: The court will decide custody based on the best interests of the children, but you should really remove the children from a home with an alcoholic parent by filing for an ex parte parenting plan.
Questions for Discussion How do you support and/or empower library patrons? What techniques have you found helpful to work with patrons who are experiencing a crisis such as poverty, or other traumatic events? Do your patrons come to you for legal information or advice? Where do you refer your patrons for legal information or advice? What kind of tools support do you feel that you need in your work to: Provide better legal information or referrals? Provide better services to patrons experiencing poverty or other trauma?
Resources: Books, websites, tools, partnerships The Body Keeps Score Bessel van der Kolk Nickle and Dimed Barbara Erhenreich https://www.montanalawhelp.org/resource/legalself-help-landing-page-1 (create desktop shortcut) Mtlsa.org/risk-detector Consider a partnership with the Court Help Program and MLSA
Contact Info Alex Clark Community Outreach Assistant (406) 543-8343 Ext. 220 aclark@mtlsa.org