Dana Zedak
Senior Director of Educational Services
Several times per year we offer a weeklong training called The Essentials of Victim Advocacy through our
Summit Victim Assistance Academy. Hundreds of professionals from around the country have engaged in this course, either in person or virtually. We are excited to be entering our 7th year of providing this experience.
On the first day of the Essentials, we learn the skills of providing crisis intervention, and each day we have a break-out session we call, Putting Our Knowledge Into Practice. I find this to be a very exciting time as we watch new and seasoned professionals utilize their skills in roleplay scenarios. Students and trainers alike exhibit compassion, humility, and openness as we navigate the difficulty of helping people through the worst times of their lives.
For many, this experience can really enhance their knowledge and skills but also causes some students anxiety and emotion. The student must make themselves vulnerable and open. This incredible process of learning is contagious. By the end of this weeklong training, you can feel the energy in the room. I count myself to be incredibly fortunate to stand alongside our expert training team as we guide people on their next step in their personal and professional growth.
The term Trauma Informed Care has become widely used in social services, education, and nursing. The definition, simply put, is an atmosphere where people consider and understand the pervasive nature of trauma and promote environments of healing rather than practices or services that may inadvertently re-traumatize. The process of Putting Our Knowledge Into Practice at the Essentials is just THAT.
