Florida International University Client Advocacy Discussion

Discussion Topic #7 – Chapter 6 – Client Advocacy

Chapter 6 presents the importance of client advocacy not only to help clients achieve a sense of power, but also to help create social/environmental change.

For this discussion:

Read the examples in the text addressing the Counseling-Advocacy Process

What are some of the questions you might ask an individual who has been imprisoned, is now being released, and wishes to return to their home community?

What are some of the interventions you might undertake in order to help this person succeed in their new life?

Daniela

Advocacy services serve two purposes, increase clients’ sense of power and personal power and fostering environmental change.

   Advocacy-oriented counselors work with individuals or families, helping them develop self-advocacy skills, to advocate for their rights of access to education resources or services they need. When counselors direct attention to environmental changes, they remain aware of the complex responses of the individual. Based on this, the questions you would ask a person who has been imprisoned, who is now being released and wants to return to his community of origin, would be:

Now that you are free, what have you thought to do?

How are your relationships with family and friends? Would they offer you psychological support during this situation that you are living in now? How have they adjusted to the fact that you have been in prison and are now at liberty?

Do you have someone close in particular who would be willing to help you?

Can you support yourself? What job skills could you learn? Do you know of an opportunity open to you or could it be?

Do you need help and information to find a job?

Do you have ready access to whatever legal assistance you need?

Do you or your family need a financial help? What sources of financial aid does your family have? Do they depend on you?

   The Counseling-Advocacy Process must accompany the Client, until he can overcome his obstacles; interventions to help this person to be successful in his new life begin, by navigating the system to find possible short-term solutions.

   As an advocate for the client, the counselor should help make connections with a variety of community resources that can help him. This person as an individual who just got out of jail needs resources to help insert him into society.

   The system has employment or rehabilitation centers that help people acquire the skills and opportunities he needs to achieve independence and financial security.

1.    Counselors’ advocacy work on behalf of clients is greatly improved, when the community is home to a responsive support network. Community counselors can use their knowledge and skills to play a role in construction assist networks and help carry out community planning.
2. Saryleen 
3. Advocacy services are fundamental and designed to increase clients’ sense of power and foster environmental changes; these two purposes are complimentary to each other. Advocacy and counseling are linked in the helping process. As counselors advocating for clients, you are not only working for them you are also working with them in order to assist and lead them in acquiring the proper skills for self-advocacy and empowerment. When clients face barriers they cannot overcome, community counselors use their own skills and stature to speak up for them. 
4. When addressing the Counseling-Advocacy Process you must examine both the personal and environmental factors which will influence change and determine the strategies used. Some questions I would ask an individual who has been imprisoned and is due for release back into their community would include, but not be limited to: 
5. 01. Whom/What does your support system consist of?  Are you close to anyone in your family?  
6. 02. You have ideas concerning what to do differently upon your release, but how would you go about accomplishing them? 
7. 03. Are the people close to you before your sentence still there for you now? Do they add support or positively impact your life in any way? If not, are they worth keeping? 

04. Do you have children? If so, are you in contact with them? (Depending on answer and if interested) How will you go about restoring and strengthening the relationship with them? 

05. Do you have your living arrangements accommodated for your return? Who would you be living with?  

06. Would you need to apply for financial assistance? Do you have access to medical health benefits, medications, and/or food assistance? 

07. What job skills do you possess? Which skills are you open to obtain? Where will you begin looking for employment?

08. (Depending on history) What are your plans to continue being financially stable in a legal manner? 

09. Are there any obstacles you fear, or feel you may encounter, in accessing resources and services needed? 

10. Is this your first time serving a sentence? What are your reasons and methods to avoid returning to old behaviors and risk coming back to prison? 

11. Have you been able to acquire and implement coping and life skills?  

12. Have you analyzed how your past reactions/emotions/thoughts led you down the wrong direction? How can you go about it differently?

13. (Depending on inmates age range)What are your thoughts on acquiring your GED for you to return or upon your return to the community?  

14. Do you know of, and have access to, community resources in case of emergency; such as hot-line numbers or crisis and suicide prevention units you may contact? 

15. Are you interested in seeking additional professional help by receiving counseling and/or joining a program/center?