1. WHAT IS CLIENT/SURVIVOR- DRIVEN ADVOCACY?
Community Connections: Aligning Domestic Violence and Homeless Services
10/25/17

2. Outline What is advocacy? What do we mean by client/survivor driven?
How does it work?
What do you see as the barriers?
What are the steps to get past barriers and do!?
WSCADV
10/25/2017

3. What is advocacy?
Involvement of survivor with an advocate with primary focus of safety planning, empowerment, and education through the reinforcement of the survivor’s autonomy and self- determination.
Speaking and acting for change or justice with, or on behalf of, another person or cause.*
*WAC a-0220
Jargon-y? Aspirational! What does it mean for you? Introductions—what does it mean to you?
WSCADV
10/25/2017

4. Also…
Advocacy not only helps negotiate systems but also educates and advocates for survivors in systems.
WSCADV
10/25/2017

5. Survivor-Driven Advocacy
Working flexibly and in the community with survivors.
The process is led and defined by survivors, not the program or the advocate.
Space and time for authentic connections between advocates and staff and for survivors to think and weigh options.
Jill Davies & Eleanor Lyon “Domestic Violence Advocacy”
Pairs talk—what is it?
After content—are you doing this?
WSCADV
10/25/2017

6. Similar Models: Social Work
Strengths Perspective
Assesses and builds on strengths
Clients more invested in process when they feel they are an integral part
How easy is to identify strengths?
WSCADV
10/25/2017

7. Similar Models: Mental Health
Hope
Nonlinear
Strengths-based
Peer support
Self-direction
Responsibility
Holistic
Individualized and person centered
Empowerment
Respect
Recovery Model/ Wellness Model
WSCADV
10/25/2017 7

8. Qualities/Skills of a Good Advocate
Respects confidentiality
Good listener
Has knowledge of resources
Passionate
Honors commitments
Non-judgmental
Open to change
Groups of 4—prior to content—talk about qualities
Love
Patient
Resilient
WSCADV
10/25/2017

9. 6 Core Skills
WSCADV
10/25/2017

10. What does it mean to connect?
Braving the Wilderness
“We are wired for connection. But the key is that, in any given moment of it, it has to be real.” -Brene Brown
WSCADV
10/25/2017

11. Implicit Bias Can be good or bad
Activated without awareness or control
Residing deep in subconscious
Don’t necessarily align with our beliefs
Favors our “in-group”/ tribe or rejects depending on our experience—back to Limbic System
“Attitudes
or stereotypes that
affect our understanding, actions, and decisions
in an unconscious manner”
Small homogenous groups, surrounded by danger
Part of historical trauma hardwire
WSCADV
10/25/2017

12. US VS. THEM
Explicit acts of exclusion for out-group to implicit acts of inclusion for in- group.
WSCADV
10/25/2017

13. “MIND BUGS”
How we judge ourselves ────── How we judge others How we judge social collectives
Mahzarin R. Banaji
Gate keepers
Pairs—how do you manage?
WSCADV
10/25/2017

14. Understanding Awareness of our privilege
Always hold anti-oppression and liberation work close
Work with oppression and liberation—self awareness=deeper understanding of others
Leticia Neito
WSCADV
10/25/2017

15. I am no longer paralyzed.
I am aware of the reality of oppression and how it dehumanizes everyone.
I am no longer paralyzed.
10/25/2017
WSCADV

16. Skills are action-oriented:
critical thinking
organizing
listening
mentoring other beneficiaries
focusing on institutional change and justice-making
supporting targets
10/25/2017
WSCADV

17. Trauma Stewardship Trauma-informed agency culture
Prevent burn-out—it’s hard to authentically connect and advocate with someone when you’re hurting
Laura van Dernoot Lipsky with Connie Burk
WSCADV
10/25/2017

18. What’s Next? Barriers you see for your agency?
What will be your first step?
WSCADV
10/25/2017

19. Linda Olsen, MA, MSW Housing Project Director Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence x 205
WSCADV
10/25/2017