Beyond the prison gates: the experiences of people recently released from prison into homelessness and housing crisis

This paper outlines the key findings and themes from a consultation project exploring the experiences and difficulties faced by people who have recently exited the prison system into situations of housing crisis or homelessness. Introduction In 2012 the Homeless Persons’ Legal Service (HPLS) and StreetCare (the HPLS Homeless Consumer Advisory Committee) undertook a consultation project exploring the experiences and difficulties faced by people who have recently exited the prison system into situations of housing crisis or homelessness. The close relationship between recent prison experience, housing crisis, homelessness, and socio-economic disadvantage has been confirmed in several Australian studies over the last ten years. This project involved consultation interviews with 26 people who exited prison in the previous two years into situations of housing crisis or homelessness. These interviews were undertaken by members of StreetCare with support from HPLS. The project also involved six interviews with community workers who have direct professional engagement with people who have recently exited the prison system. The aims of the project were to identify: 1. The experiences of people experiencing homelessness who had recently been released from prison; 2. The perceived difficulties faced by generalist homeless services and agencies in relation to the provision of services to homeless people recently released from prison. This briefing paper outlines the key findings and themes that were identified from these consultations. In addition, it lists eleven recommendations to address the key problems that were identified during the consultation. Following the conduct of consultation interviews, HPLS was actively involved in key consultation roundtables with Corrective Services NSW and Housing NSW focusing on issues relating to the accommodation and support needs of people exiting prison in NSW. HPLS had strong input into the recommendations arising from those roundtables based on the information derived from these consultations. Several of the recommendations contained in this briefing paper are therefore the same or similar to the recommendations arising from the roundtables

A Letter to Members of the United States Congress from Church Leaders, Non-Governmental Organizations, Citizen Groups, and Academics Regarding the Human Rights Crisis in the Philippines

This document is part of a digital collection provided by the Martin P. Catherwood Library, ILR School, Cornell University, pertaining to the effects of globalization on the workplace worldwide. Special emphasis is placed on labor rights, working conditions, labor market changes, and union organizing.ILRF_Letter_to_US_Congress_from_Ecumenical_Advocacy_Network.pdf: 438 downloads, before Oct. 1, 2020

Non-Profits and Policy Advocacy: Learning from Success

This document is a review of successful non-profit policy advocacy practices. Using case studies and examples from Alberta, Canada, and internationally, this guide outlines how and why non-profits should participate in policy advocacy, and breaks down some of the key features of successful policy advocacy efforts. The appendices contain further policy advocacy resources and contact information for policy advocacy coalitions working on a variety of campaigns

Conflict of roles, a conflict of ideas? The unsettled relations between care team staff and independent mental health advocates.

Drawing on a national study of Independent Mental Health Advocacy we explore the social relations of independent advocacy. The study was commissioned by the Department of Health (England) and involved a case study design covering eight different geographies and service configurations, and interviews or focus groups with a total of 289 stakeholders across two phases of inquiry. This paper focuses on analysis of qualitative data relevant to the relationship between mental health care services and independent advocacy services, drawn from interviews with 214 participants in phase two of the study. Discussion of these particular findings affords insights into the working relations of independent advocacy within mental health services beset by reorganizational change and funding cuts, and increasing levels of legally sanctioned compulsion and coercion. We offer a matrix which accounts for the different types of working relationships that can arise and how these are associated with various levels of understanding of independent advocacy on the one hand, and appreciation for the value of advocacy on the other. The discussion is framed by the wider literature on advocacy and the claims by practitioners such as nurses for an advocacy role as part of their professional repertoire

Teaching Advocacy

This essay discusses the use and value of case studies in teaching students about archival advocacy. It also considers why and how educators need to rethink how advocacy fits into the curriculum and how students can produce case studies

The ACA Advocacy Competencies: A Social Justice Advocacy Framework for Professional School Counselors

The recent endorsement of the advocacy competencies by the American Counseling Association signals their relevance to the school counseling profession. This article outlines the importance of being a social change agent, the value of advocacy in K-12 schools, and how school counselors can use the advocacy competencies as a framework for promoting access and equity for all students. Implications for professional school counselors and school counselor educators in using the advocacy competencies are also addressed

Counselors as Advocates: Effects of a Pilot Project Designed to Develop Advocacy Knowledge and Confidence in Trainees

While there has been increased attention to advocacy within counseling and counseling psychology, it has been noted that trainees generally feel unprepared to engage in advocacy and do not participant e in this type of work to a large extent, even with increased age or professional experience). The qualitative study summarizes the findings of a project within a graduate multicultural counseling course designed to increase trainee knowledge and confidence related to advocacy. This project required students (N = 19) to complete individual advocacy projects in the community, with opportunities for self-reflection and evaluation of their progress throughout the semester. Student reflection responses about the effects of this project were analyzed using methods from Grounded Theory by a collaborative research team. This process resulted in a core category of responses that included expanded definitions of advocacy, increased self-confidence regarding advocacy work, obstacles encountered, and reactions to the course assignment. Implications and future directions are discussed

Reporting rape: victim perspectives on advocacy support in the criminal justice process

Concerns about the criminal justice response to rape have prompted the development of victim advocacy services across a range of jurisdictions, yet research evidence about the nature, meaning and value of advocacy remains limited. This article draws upon a study evaluating an innovative advocacy model introduced in Scotland to assist reporting rape to the police. Findings from interviews with nine victims highlight the importance of advocacy that is independent of statutory and criminal justice agencies. However, it is argued that this does not mitigate the need for specialization or reform in the criminal justice response to rape and, further, that the distinction between advocacy at an individual and societal level represents a false dichotomy

Advocacy for looked after children and children in need: achievements and challenges

This briefing paper offers a summary of the key findings of ‘Advocacy for looked after children and children in need: achievements and challenges’, the first national study of children’s advocacy in England. The study was prepared for the Department of Health and the DfES. The study was undertaken for a number of reasons: despite the relatively rapid increase in the number of advocacy services for children and young people over the last decade or so, relatively little is known about the extent to which advocacy makes a positive difference to the lives of individual children or to developments in children’s services more generally. Evidence also suggests that, in order to reduce the scope for conflict or confusion, there is a need to raise awareness about the principles and practices of advocacy among practitioners and policy makers working in the field of children’s health and social care. This study sought to address these gaps in knowledge and to create a platform for an evidence-based debate about the future of advocacy for children and young people

Patients' advocacy: the development of a service at the State Hospital, Carstairs, Scotland

Advocacy is part of the process of empowering patients and involving them in the development of services. This paper describes the development of an advocacy service in the State Hospital at Carstairs and explores the issues involved in advocacy in a maximum secure environment. Using a model of citizen advocacy the service was started in September 1997. Patient involvement throughout the hospital was high with approximately 88% of patients having some contact with the service by January 2000. Most of the issues raised by patients are similar to those in any mental health advocacy project. Entrapment is a particular issue for some patients. Safety and security issues influence every aspect of the service. This ranges from advocates having to do more for patients rather than enable them to do things for themselves (e.g. make telephone calls) to the principle of the patients' wishes being paramount being tempered by security demands