Training

Committed to Safety for ALL Survivors Webinar Series

Brief Overview

This webinar series provides cross-training and practical applications for supporting survivors of domestic/sexual violence who use substances through an Accessible, Culturally-Responsive, and Trauma-Informed (ACRTI) approach. Included in these webinars are foundational information about the intersections of domestic/sexual violence, trauma, and substance use, as well as innovations in collaborative approaches that support survivors in addressing their self-defined needs. This series is specially designed for DV/SV advocacy organizations as well as substance use disorder and recovery support specialists who are seeking to increase skills and resources, and will feature experiences from survivors as well as service providers.

SEE ALSO TRACK 2 FROM OUR 2020-2021 WEBINAR SERIES: “Serving Survivors During Covid-19”

Webinar Information

2020-2021 Webinar Series -

Supporting Survivor Safety and Choice Within Substance Use

Originally aired Wednesday, May 26, 2021

This session will deepen the application of the concepts learned in all of the preceding webinars in this series and offer a more in-depth method for supporting survivors to safety plan around their substance use in the context of domestic violence. This session includes guidance and examples of supporting survivors to create a plan that reduces risks related to substance use while also supporting their self-defined goals, including health, safety, and overall well-being for themselves and their families.

Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC
Director of Policy & Practice for Domestic Violence & Substance Use
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health

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2020-2021 Webinar Series -

Meeting People Where They Are and Resources that Support Safety, Healing, and Empowerment

Originally aired Wednesday, March 24, 2021

This webinar is the fourth in a series based on NCDVTMH’s new guide: Committed to Safety for ALL Survivors: Guidance for Domestic Violence Programs on Supporting Survivors Who Use Substances. This session will provide:

  • A framework for providing survivor-defined support that includes strategies for assessing where people are in relation to their substance use
  • Guidance on what kinds of approaches and resources may be helpful based on where people are
  • Information on the internal and external resources that promote healing and recovery for individuals experiencing chaotic substance use
  • An opportunity for advocates and programs to reflect on what resources are already available within their services, as well as gather ideas from other programs about how additional recovery resources could be added or expanded.

Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC
Director of Policy & Practice for Domestic Violence & Substance Use
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health

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2020-2021 Webinar Series -

Organizational Policies and Practices that Promote Safety Within Programs

Originally aired Wednesday, January 27, 2021

This webinar is the third in a series based on NCDVTMH’s new guide: Committed to Safety for ALL Survivors: Guidance for Domestic Violence Programs on Supporting Survivors Who Use Substances.

This session will provide concrete guidance on organizational policies and practices that promote safety within program settings for survivors who use substances, survivors who do not use substances, children, and staff; all within an accessible, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed (ACRTI) approach.

Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC
Director of Policy & Practice for Domestic Violence & Substance Use
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health

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2020-2021 Webinar Series -

Understanding the Dimensions of Substance Use and Why Survivors May Continue to Use Substances

Originally aired Monday, November 30, 2020

This webinar is the second in a series based on NCDVTMH’s new guide: Committed to Safety for ALL Survivors: Guidance for Domestic Violence Programs on Supporting Survivors Who Use Substances.

This webinar provides a framework for unpacking the uniquely personal dynamics of substance use experiences, including information on intersecting factors that contribute to ongoing substance use. Through understanding the layers of complexity involved in substance use, advocates will be prepared to respond to survivors who use substances with deeper empathy, active listening, individualized approaches, and collaborative partnerships with survivors. This webinar will also help clarify the connections between substance use and domestic violence and offer tips for opening conversations about substance use within domestic and sexual violence advocacy services.

Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC
Director of Policy & Practice for Domestic Violence & Substance Use
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health

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Name: Dimensions of Substance Use Handout Type: File File/Link:
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2020-2021 Webinar Series -

Introducing Our New Guide: Committed to Safety for ALL Survivors

Originally aired Wednesday, September 30, 2020

This webinar, in honor of Recovery Month (September) and Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October), is the first in a series based on NCDVTMH’s new guide, Committed to Safety for ALL Survivors: Guidance for Domestic Violence Programs on Supporting Survivors Who Use Substances, to be released on September 30th, 2020.

Domestic and sexual violence (DSV) can have significant effects on one’s health and mental health, including increased risk for substance use concerns. In addition to using substances in order to cope with experiences of violence, survivors of substance use coercion may also be coerced to use substances, face increased violence if they do not use substances, and have their attempts to engage in treatment and recovery sabotaged by an intimate partner or ex-partner. At the same time, many advocates feel unprepared to help survivors address concerns related to substance use and substance use coercion, resulting in increased barriers and risk of revictimization. This webinar will introduce advocates to the newly released guide as well as provide a framework for an Accessible, Culturally Responsive, and Trauma-Informed (ACRTI) approach to advocacy with survivors who use substances.

Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC
Director of Policy & Practice for Domestic Violence & Substance Use
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health

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Name: Committed to Safety for ALL Survivors Full Guide Type: Link File/Link:
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