Advocate Training Resources

Advocate Training Curriculum & Training Guidance
In 2020, sexual assault support centers statewide decided to use the national Foundations of Advocacy training as the core of our 40-hour Advocate Training. Collective use of the curriculum launched early 2021. Below are the current draft tools and materials, with more to come.

MECASA Core Competencies for Advocate Training
Advocate Training overview with Foundations Sections, Core Competencies, & Help in Healing reading
Foundations of Advocacy Training Manual
Foundations of Advocacy Sections share folder with PowerPoints, agenda, trainer outline, & materials
Participant & Trainer evaluation share folder

Help in Healing – A Training Guide for Advocates, 2013 Edition
Download sections of the Advocate Manual here! Updates are scheduled for 2021. 

• Introduction
• Section 1: Historical and Global Perspectives on Sexual Violence
• Section 2: Types of Sexual Violence
• Section 3: Advocacy and Accompaniment
• Section 4: Medical Response and Resources
• Section 5: Legal Response and Resources
• Section 6: Mental Health and Substance Use and Abuse
• Section 7: Supporting the Whole Survivor
• Section 8: Survivor Healing
• Section 9: Offenders
• Section 10: Conclusion

​

MECASA Advocate Training Opportunities

One of the core purposes of developing a standardized advocate training was to build the capacity of center staff. New staff, students (interns and work study placed at the agency), and volunteers are welcome to take the training at any member center offering the Foundations of Advocacy and Help and Healing manual-based advocate training.

Upcoming Advocate training:

• SAC&SC – beginning the end of October – Deanna.walker@silentnomore.org
  SAPARS – early 2022, likely starting in January – Jamie.demers@sapars.org or Ashley.hayden@sapars.org

Setting Boundaries on the Helpline 
2020 MECASA webinar facilitated by Canyon Sears
In this webinar, participants will learn about strategies for assessing and creating policies for limiting time on the phone with repeat callers, responding to abusive callers, and discussing some common situations where boundary settings is needed and some example responses.

---

Volunteer Recruitment
​Community Toolbox: Recruiting Volunteers
This section in the Community Toolbox provides some useful tips to assess whether volunteers are right for the current needs you have and some basic steps to volunteer recruitment.

Volunteer Maine

• VolunteerMaine.org is a one-stop internet resource for volunteers and program staff.
• Volunteer programs can recruit new volunteers, let donors know what goods or services they need, and reach potential board members.
• Program staff can access online training and explore resources for improving program operation.
• Citizens can search for opportunities to volunteer that match their interests.

Volunteer Match
VolunteerMatch offers a variety of tools and services to help you recruit new volunteers, manage volunteers and prospects, and become a great place to volunteer. Also includes a learning center with free training opportunities to help enhance and build on your skills. Some webinars are listed below. ​

Online Training or Webinars for Volunteer Managers
Competencies for Managers of Volunteers
Volunteer Maine
​
Recruiting Volunteers
2018 MECASA Webinar with Erika Allen