Building Stronger Teams
Melissa Kaiser, LBSW | September 22 | 3:15-4:15 pm
Topic: Conceptual, Direct Service | Knowledge Level: Advanced
Building stronger teams is crucial to developing successful and responsive services to victims and survivors. Melissa was the first Human Trafficking Navigator for North Dakota (ND) and will use her experience to enhance attendees' confidence and give direction to attendees in this session. Melissa will provide examples of team maintenance to attendees based on her experience in developing a new task force and several multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) in ND. This training will provide attendees with insight on priority areas when developing a team comprised of service providers, medical personnel, legal supports, and law enforcement. Attendees will understand the importance of MDT collaboration to ensure person-centered responses to victims’ needs, as well as considerations for team dynamics and norms and best practices specific to survivor and victim experiences. Additionally, the presenter will discuss MDT best practices, such as how to develop a trauma-sensitive team, cross-discipline training, and team transparency. Melissa will use her experience within team development over the last six years to answer questions and will include information on considerations when working with teams in bordering states or in other states and territories. The goal of this session is to enhance a team’s ability to respond to victims while ensuring that barriers and concerns are recognized, ensure any/all appropriate team members are included, gain greater perspective and confidence in team building, develop team goals, and provide ideas for team guidelines and responses to meet victims’ needs.
Presentation Objectives:
· Explain the importance of building strong teams and lessons to be learned throughout the process
· Provide information on creating community buy-in and how it relates to effective meeting facilitation
· Discuss what MDT are and how to have successful, productive meetings
· Provide suggestions on how to advocate for and ensure your team is trauma-informed and person-centered