In August, CST’s counselors Ellen Payne, LMSW and Carmel T. Drewes, LMSW attended an in-depth training in Evanston, Illinois titled “Meeting Social Services Needs in the Current Climate” which was sponsored by the National Capacity Building Project of the Center for Victims of Torture.
This training was a great way to explore the current issues arising with delivering social service needs in the present environment. Given the scarcity of resources relative to the ever pressing burdens survivors encounter, torture treatment providers are persistently challenged to provide relevant and sustainable services. The current restrictions in immigration policy and economic downturn have exacerbated the stressors. This necessitates creative approaches to maximize existing personal and community services not only to address daily needs but to help reconstruct social networks. Ellen and Carmel were able to bring back many new and improved strategies for torture survivor social services.