How to Engage Survivors for Systems Professionals
Amanda Colegrove, MA & Bukola Oriola | September 20 | 1:30-2:30 PM
Topic: Direct Service | Knowledge Level: Intermediate | Location: Room 2582
Too often “trauma informed” is part of the industry lexicon with no understanding of what that means in action, especially within complex organizations (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014). Hear from an advocate with lived experience and the Minnesota Department of Health on what it means to act trauma informed when engaging with survivors in order to build real collaborations and partnerships. We will discuss how different factors such environment, subject matter, time constraints, and purpose impact the engagement process. Creating a safer and more equitable process for partnering with survivors is an important step toward going beyond the foundational “survivors should be compensated” message (Administration for Children and Families Office on Trafficking in Persons & National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center, 2018).
Presentation Objectives:
· Recognize common pitfalls within complex systems
· Describe practical ways to mitigate the negative impacts of the system
· Bring “trauma informed” out of language and into practice
· Discuss 4 steps to build underlying values and action plans