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Introduction to Trauma-Informed Approach in Supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities

• Personal Introduction
    - Project director for Heal of Tri County
    - CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) background
      - Raised with two deaf parents
      - Surrounded by a community of deaf family members and friends
    - Career as a sign language interpreter with a mental health focus
    - Full-time role in building Serve, the Services Empowering Rights of Victims agency

Overview of Serve

• Mission and Vision
    - Aim to assist survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have developmental disabilities
    - Addressing service gaps for marginalized communities experiencing violence

• Importance of accessibility in crisis situations
    - Barriers faced by individuals who may not recognize they are victims or lack necessary communication skills to reach out for help

Challenges Faced by Survivors in Marginalized Communities

• Key Issues
    - Survivors often lack adequate services
    - Many survivors are not aware of available support

• Real-life Implications
    - Survivors may struggle to utilize hotlines due to barriers in recognizing victimization and accessing services.

Historical Context and Development of Programs

• Initial Focus of Serve
    - Started in 2018, identified issues and gaps in services
    - Worked on grant projects to improve service capacity and delivery

• Collaboration
    - Partnered with various agencies to apply for funding through the Office on Violence Against Women's Disability grant program
    - The project focused on deaf communities and individuals with disabilities

Needs Assessment and Community Engagement

• Process of Assessment
    - Conducted comprehensive needs assessment with 112 participants
      - Included staff, leadership, survivors, and community members
    - Utilized focus groups, interviews, and surveys to gather insights
    - Importance of ongoing communication with community members and stakeholders

• Key Findings
    - Discomfort and lack of resources for both clients and service providers
    - Need for multiple communication options in service environments
      - Utilizing American Sign Language (ASL), simple written materials, and visual aids
    - Healthcare professionals’ bias against patients with disabilities
      - Example: Perception that individuals with significant intellectual disabilities do not need therapy

Solutions and Systemic Changes Implemented

• Internal Review
    - Acknowledged the need to improve and adapt own services before outreach
    - Shift in focus from community education to internal capacity building

• Policy Development
    - Implementation of crucial policies aimed at strengthening accessibility and confidentiality
      - Accommodations policy: Allow staff to provide necessary accommodations without bureaucratic delays
      - Confidentiality policy: Ensured privacy for deaf survivors and individuals with disabilities
      - Guardianship policy: Prioritized the autonomy and decision-making rights of clients

• Guideline Development
    - Created clear, plain-language resources for clients and staff regarding confidentiality, mandatory reporting, and service navigation
    - Established safety protocols for interacting with both survivors and offenders within service contexts

Training and Capability Building

• Staff Training Initiatives
    - Introduced two-hour introductory training sessions focused on accessibility and trauma-informed care
    - Mandatory, in-depth training on deaf culture and needs for serving deaf and hard of hearing clients
      - Total of seven hours focusing on:
        - American deaf culture
        - Language deprivation issues
        - Unique violence experiences in the deaf community
        - Communication barriers in service access

• Workshops and Case Studies
    - Developed safety planning workshops with case studies for interactive learning
    - Focus on building a collaborative environment where staff can brainstorm solutions to real-world scenarios
    - Emphasis on empowerment through knowledge and understanding of client needs and rights

Practical Tools and Resources

• Access to Interpreters
    - Improved access to contracted interpreters to ensure timely communication
    - Training for staff on effectively utilizing available resources

• Physical Environment Assessment
    - Conducted safety and access reviews of facilities
    - Focused on creating welcoming physical spaces that prioritize comfort and accessibility for clients with disabilities

• Summary and Reflection on Outcomes
    - Ongoing evaluation and adjustments to practices based on community feedback
    - Commitment to continuous improvement in serving deaf and disabled survivors in the future

• Reflection on Service Design and Impact
    - Highlighted the importance of adaptability and responsiveness in victim services
    - Recognized that building trust is paramount in supporting individuals from marginalized backgrounds
    - Continued commitment to empowering clients and improving their access to vital resources.