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What are your biggest concerns for refugees after 90 days?

What are your biggest concerns for vulnerable refugees after 90 days?

STRENGTH-BASED CASE MANAGEMENT FOR VULNERABLE REFUGEE POPULATIONS Joan Hodges-Wu, MA USCRI R&P Program Officer

Objectives Understand the theory behind the strengths perspective Recognize the guiding principles of this approach Identify how the approach can be translated into real world application Identify the connection between the strengths-based approach & vulnerable refugee populations

What makes something strengths-based?

Background 1890s to early 1940s: Psychoanalysis Irrational drives, influence of others, conflict between conscious and unconscious 1920s to early 1970s: Behaviorism Behaviors -> Conditioning -> Environment -> Behaviors Mid 20 th century: Humanism Inherently good, holistic approach, individual awareness, role of personal choice

The Strengths Perspective The strengths perspective is a way of thinking about and looking at the people service providers help and the work they do with clients. Conscious effort away from victimization Work of empowerment Uncovering, naming, embellishing and celebrating abilities, talents, and aspirations in the service of desired change (Weick & Saleebey, 1995). Weick, A. & Saleeby, D. (1995). A postmodern approach to social work practice. Paper presented at Adelphi University; School of Social Work, Garden City, New York.

The Deficit Cycle Clients withdraw/ low expectations reinforced Negative experience Negative behaviors manifest Expert interventions are prioritized over client input/ abilities Focus on deficits I have a problem Difficulty is presented CM assumes expert role

The Strengths-based Cycle Opportunities identified that require client strengths Client feels valued/ positive relationship created Positive expectations reinforced CM and client work to develop strengths/ capacities Identification of strengths I need X to change Difficulty is presented CM partners with client/ agree to change

I m not at risk. I m with promise! It is wrong to deny the possible just as it is wrong to deny the problem. -Dennis Saleeby

CPR: Strengths-based Philosophy P Promise & possibility C Capacities, competencies & character R Resources, resilience & reserves Saleeby, D. (2000). Power in the People: Strengths and Hope. Advances in Social Work, Vol.1(2). 129.

Create a Shift in Thinking Obstacle Client is an alcoholic Client is in perpetual crisis Client resists help from agency Strength Client uses alcohol to cope but is aware how alcohol affects his/her behavior and relationships Client is a survivor of SGBV

Create a Shift in Thinking Obstacle Client is an alcoholic Client is in perpetual crisis Client resists help from agency Client is a survivor of SGBV Strength Client uses alcohol to cope but is aware how alcohol affects his/her behavior and relationships Client continues to exist despite constant stress

Create a Shift in Thinking Obstacle Client is refuses entry level work despite warning end of R&P is approaching Client tells you she wants to return to her country of origin Client openly acknowledges that he beats his children when they do not behave Client continues to stay in an abusive marriage Strength

Given what you know now, what might be some guiding principles of this approach?

Guiding Principles People who experience stressful events develop strengths, capacities, traits & defenses that help them survive. Everyone has inherent resources that can be used to help them meet their needs. Humans have an innate capacity for health and healing. Most people know what is right for them. All environments have assets.

Guiding Principles (cont.) Healing and change almost always occurs within the bounds of personal, friendly, supportive relationship. A positive future outlook is more conducive to healing. Maladaptive behaviors may also contain the seeds for health and self-correction.

Translating theory into practice

What are you already doing that might be considered strengths-based?

Resettlement Environment Community Level Agency Level Family Level Individual Level

Client Eco-Map

USCRI affiliate Eco-Map

Strength-based Themes Help clients identify their strengths & goals early on Help client identify resources in their communities Ask the client for their input/ needs/ opinions in all aspects of the resettlement process Creating opportunities to watch/ learn/ practice Adults learn by doing (power & control) Encourage clients to make their own decisions Be empathetic Collaborate

How can we make current practices more strengthsbased?

The Service Plan Do you talk about goals? Long-term? Short-term? How much input does the client give? Does it identify client strengths? Does it identify environmental resources? Who does most of the talking?

Sample Service Plan (1 st page)

Setting up Appointments How can the client play an active role here? Can community resources be leveraged so the client can be more involved? How can this interaction strengthen the helping relationship?

Core Service/ Basic Needs Support Activity

Partnering with U.S. Ties (UST) Initiating partnerships with UST maximizes client support upon arrival. Provide CLEAR messaging on the services your office provides. Opportunity to leverage UST strengths to benefit the client. Invite USTs to participate in client-led core service delivery. Investment in your UST/ community relationships = better resettlement environment.

U.S. Tie Example Case Study You meet an Iraqi household s UST pre-arrival. The U.S. tie is friends with several local business owners. The UST is a homeowner, works F/T at a local parking garage, speaks Arabic & English, and knows a lot of other Iraqi families. How can this UST be utilized during resettlement?

How would vulnerable populations benefit from this approach?

Benefits for Vulnerable Refugees CMs focus on the positive instead of the negative CM/ client relationship emphasizes collaboration, not dependence Move away from the CM expert / power & control New Messaging = Refugees are more than the sum of their parts Clients learn and practice valuable (new) skills CMs are able to demonstrate that help extends beyond the CM/ resettlement agency Self-efficacy/ empowerment Past vs. future orientation

Benefits for CMs YOU WILL SAVE TIME Working for vs. working with clients CMs are absolved from total responsibility Collaboration = more fulfilling client relationships Clients will be able to access environmental resources after the R&P period Prevents burn-out Maintain positive worldview Sleep better at night

The Power of Empathy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1evwgu369jw

Implementing this Approach Believe the client and believe in the client. Affirm and show interest in the client s view of things. A focus on dreams, hopes, and visions encourages people to think about what could be. Help clients make a list of assets, resources, reserves, and capacities within them and their environment. Believe there are forces for healing, self-righting, and wisdom in and around that person. Use them to help achieve the client s goals. Saleeby, D. (2000). Power in the People: Strengths and Hope. Advances in Social Work, Vol.1(2). 133-134.

Wrap-Up The strengths perspective manifests itself as an attitude and philosophy toward work with people. Strengths-based case management supports client empowerment and system sustainability. R&P requirements can be adapted to foster the strengths-based approach.

Q&A Joan Hodges-Wu, MA USCRI R&P Program Officer jhodges@uscridc.org