ReCentered offers a systematic opportunity for entire organizations—survivors and staff together—to reflect on their programs and make the changes they feel will lead to environments of even greater trust, respect, dignity, safety, self-determination, and support.
ReCentered gives programs a method for bringing survivors’ voices and perspectives back to the center of domestic violence work.
Over the past decade of working with domestic violence centers on survivor listening projects and trauma informed assessment, TCFV has developed a process for conducting the ReCentered: Trauma Informed Assessment Project with interested domestic violence centers. The process evolves regularly to improve the project and enhance the support offered to advocates and survivors.
HOW IT WORKS
THE ASSESSMENT: The pre-assessment can include qualitative assessment via interviews, along with formal assessment tools as appropriate.
THE VISIT: Two TCFV staff members then make an onsite or virtual visit for 1-3 days to hold interviews with program staff and survivors.
THE REPORT: After the site visit, TCFV staff develop a summary or in-person presentation highlighting the program’s strengths and recommended areas of growth.
THE REVIEW: The change review session is a dynamic opportunity for staff to discuss recommended changes and make collective decisions about which changes they would like to implement, ranging widely from rules reduction to staff scheduling to changes in the physical space.
THE SUPPORT: Once the center has decided to make changes in their program, TCFV provides ongoing support with additional staff training and facilitated discussions over the following year.
THE FOLLOW UP: TCFV returns to hear from staff how change work has been going, help staff work on new questions and challenges, and provide more follow-up trainings and resources.
typical time frame:
12-24 MONTHS
ReCentered by the Numbers…
110
over
275
suvivors
200
staff
WHAT WE’VE HEARD
I feel truly blessed to have a place to come to, where I actually feel ‘heard’ and helped and also SAFE!
I feel less stressed and am able to focus on taking care of myself and my children and move forward. I hope to continue on with their assistance, knowing I cannot do it alone.
If I didn’t have them, I really don’t know what I would have done.
SOME OF THE OUTCOMES
( 1 )
– new methods of incorporating survivor input into program design and policy decisions –
( 2 )
– an understanding that rules reduction can lead to a stronger, more effective structure in the program –
( 3 )
– improved mechanisms for staff feedback about domestic violence center operations –
Texas Council on Family Violence
PO Box 163865
Austin, TX 78716
P 512.794.1133
F 512.685.6397
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