HCA Module 03 - Self Advocacy Flashcards
Why Is Self-Advocacy Important?
Our role as peer supporters is to help the people we serve to learn the skills they need around:
* communication
* self-advocacy
* boundary-setting
* self-esteem
Self-advocacy is an important part of recovery as it leads to empowerment and self-determination.
Why is self-advocacy important to recovery?
Self-advocacy is an important part of recovery! Self-advocacy leads to empowerment and the ability to live a self-directed life. Our first opportunity to begin to teach self-advocacy and related skills may come when the person you serve first encounters a need, something for which they must ask.
Before working on self-advocacy, exploring a person’s strengths and skills will help prepare for developing advocacy skills.
What is direct advocacy?
When helping someone else with advocacy skills, you make use of your own history and your skills with advocacy. But we don’t take over the advocacy process completely. With some people we may provide more help, but always with the goal of helping the person make decisions and participate.
Sometimes, however, we do advocate for our peers. In treatment teams, in families, and in the community, we may advocate for involvement of the person, for their participation in treatment teams and other active roles.
What does exploring the person’s ability to self-advocate mean?
We ask:
* Have you been able to get your needs met in the past?
* When have you needed something and asked for it?
* Do you believe that you deserve to get your needs met?
* What have been your best strategies for getting your needs met?
* What strategies didn’t work so well?
* Which strategies did you think of that were too uncomfortable for you to try?
* What personal strengths do you think will support you in getting what you need?
Remember that your personal stories and how you got your or your family’s needs met can be very powerful and inspirational.
Advocacy is a process, not an event. What are the basic steps?
- Name and define the problem or need
- Do your research
- Find out who can help you
- Write out what you want to say
- Deliver your message
- Decide how to handle rejection
- Evaluate your efforts
You can practice this process with peers.
What is the 1st step of self-advocacy?
The first step in self-advocacy is defining the exact problem to be worked on. Sometimes people have multiple issues, but it is important to tackle them one at a time and stay focused.
Be specific about defining the problem.
For example, “I need to talk to my child’s counselor about working on my child’s trauma issues, not just their behavior in school.”
What is the 2nd step of self-advocacy?
Another important step in advocacy is to do your research. Do you qualify? Is it possible? What has been effective for other people? Is there someone you could discuss this with?
Remember, you are helping others learn these skills, not doing things for them.
What is the 3rd step of self-advocacy?
Find the gatekeeper. This is the person who can help you get what you want. Start with the lowest level possible, as that usually works best. If you’re having a problem with someone, talk to them or perhaps their supervisor. After all efforts, or if the issue is very serious, consider going to the top of the organization.
What are more advocacy skills?
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Writing: Writing is very powerful. Writing a letter about a problem can get you immediate attention and response. Be brief, polite, and to the point. Writing notes for a meeting can keep you on track.
You can give a peer feedback about advocacy notes or letters, but be careful not to suggest criticisms of your agency. All issues should come from the peer only. - Delivery: Peers may advocate for themselves on the phone, in person, or in writing. They can also choose to have a supporter with them. Letters or notes about other problems can be read during appointments. Help the peer remember the goals: to be polite, to be heard, and to get their needs met. Role play interactions for practice.
- Rejection: If a peer’s request is denied, ask them if they want to pursue the matter further. Make sure they know the reasons for denial-if not, suggest they ask. Many of us have experienced being successful with advocacy only after many tries. You can share these kind of stories and encourage persistence if the issue is important to the peer. There are also processes to appeal and make formal grievances. The next slide covers those processes.
Can you tell me more about behavioral health Ombuds services in the grievance system?
Behavioral Health Ombuds services are available throughout the state to help resolve any dissatisfaction with services, reconsideration of denials, reduction or termination of services, and can offer information about the administrative (fair) hearing process.
Ombuds services are voluntary. If a person chooses to file a grievance themselves the Ombuds can direct them to the right process. Referring a person to the Ombuds keeps you separate from any conflict with the person or your agency.
Can you tell me more about complaints and grievances in the grievance system?
A complaint or grievance is any expression of dissatisfaction with services. A person can call the agency, their BHA-ASO, or their MCO to file a grievance. Letters about problems can be mailed to the agency and titled “grievance” if the peer is dissatisfied with services.
In addition to assisting with complaints and grievances, Ombuds are also sources for community resource information and referrals for additional services.
Can you tell me more about appeals in the grievance system?
An appeal is usually filed when a person is denied services, or when services are reduced or terminated. An Ombuds can help a person understand how to advocate for themselves effectively, or advocate on their behalf. They can advocate for adequate resolution and assist in setting up meetings and negotiations. The goal is always to resolve issues at the lowest level possible.
Can you tell me more about fair hearings in the grievance system?
A fair hearing is a very formal court process used when all other avenues have been unsuccessful to reach a resolution.
People can learn advocacy skills.
* True
* False
- True
Which of the following is true?
* Usually, the best advocacy starts at th top of an organization.
* Most advocacy can be done without the peer being there.
* Advocacy usually involves a legal process.
* A peer can use their own skills and experience in teaching advocacy.
- A peer can use their own skills and experience in teaching advocacy.
