Speakers: Leyla Dost and Edward Cervantes, Just Detention International
In rape crisis centers where services for currently and formerly incarcerated survivors are not fully integrated into the overall culture of the organization, those services are vulnerable, and advocates providing them are at high risk of feeling demoralized or burned out. This session will focus on helping survivor advocacy programs to integrate sustainable services for these populations into their ongoing work. Presenters will discuss how to ensure advocates engaged in this work receive adequate organizational support and how agencies can update their policies and practices to institutionalize services for currently and formerly incarcerated survivors, explicitly connecting such services with overall missions and programs. Additionally, presenters will provide guidance on maintaining these services in the midst of organizational transitions related to turnover, understaffing, and funding cuts.