Statewide 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 Trainings:
Jan 10 - February 21, 2023 via Zoom
Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center
Contact: Deanna Walker and Kathleen Paradis

Jan 10, 4:30p-7p 
Jan 17  4:30-7p
Jan 26 4:30p-7p (not a mistake, moved to Thursday that week)
Jan 31  4:30p-7p 
Feb  7   4:30p-7p
Feb 14 4:30p-7p (this date may change due to Valentines day ) 
Feb 21 4:30p-7p  Last class for volunteers that are planning to be on the support line

Advocate Training Curriculum & Facilitator's Guide

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 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

The Help in Healing manual has been the foundation for Advocate Training across Maine for decades. It holds the philosophy, history, and practice of advocacy for survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones. In 2021, the Advocate Training workgroup embarked on a thorough update and edit of the 2013 Help in Healing, including incorporating some of our favorite content and language from the Foundations of Advocacy curriculum. 

Beyond Foundations: An Onboarding Resource for Sexual Assault Advocates

Beyond Foundations: An Onboarding Resource for New Sexual Assault Advocates was once part of the original Help in Healing manual. When updating Help in Healing in 2021, it was determined that some of the content was more appropriate for onboarding new center staff rather than be included in the initial foundational 40-hour training.
 
Below there are approximately 45 hours of recorded training, 100 pages of Beyond Foundations reading, and many hours of website and document review. It is intended to be done over the first 9 months of employment in addition to the 40-hour Foundations of Advocacy Training.
 
Depending on the staff member’s support, role, and experience onboarding may happen after or parallel to the 40-hour Foundations of Advocacy Training. To ensure privilege and quality services for survivors, advocates should not work with survivors until the Foundational training is complete.
Beyond Foundations Reading
  1. Types of Sexual Violence
  2. Courts & Other Justice Systems
  3. Populations & Identities
  4. People Who Commit Sexual Violence

And if you're printing in house, here is the cover and table of contents.
Beyond Foundations Recommended Onboarding Content 
(all saved in the same document here, listed below for context)
  1. Victim Rights & Systems Advocacy
  2. Technology & Safety Planning
  3. Supporting Survivors
  4. MECASA & Other Sexual Assault Programs
  5. Law Enforcement
  6. Criminal Legal
  7. Civil Legal & Protection Orders
  8. Human Trafficking
  9. Funding Resources
  10. Schools & Workplace Sexual Harassment
  11. Incarcerated Services

Recorded Webinars

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.