2016 Survivor-Led Evaluation
Our 2016 Survivor-Led Evaluation was focused on learning more about our Direct Service Advocacy Program. The project validated our knowledge that survivors enter the Direct Service Advocacy Program with competing needs for housing, employment, and safety, among others. However, there is one need that is common to survivors engaging with the DSA Program: connection. Specifically, we know survivors seek connection with someone who understands their experiences, and believes, listens to, and supports them. This is a need we meet from the first contact with participants. Survivors and advocates also shared that our services support the following aspects of survivors’ well-being:
Safety
Stability
Meaningful Access to Relevant Resources
Social Connectedness
Self-Determination
Read the full report to learn more about how individuals who connect with Call to Safety’s Direct Service Advocacy Program find a source of support that meets them where they are, acknowledges their whole self, and provides a place of stability to move towards thriving.
2014 Survivor-Led Evaluation
In 2014, Call to Safety – then PWCL – conducted a comprehensive program evaluation to hear directly from survivors about how they experience our services. Our goal was to establish a set of service delivery guidelines, or Promising Practices, to guide our programming. We learned from survivors who participated in the evaluation that exceptional crisis line service will be delivered according to these guidelines:
Give each caller space and listen deeply.
Use a soft, caring tone of voice that is not scripted.
Encourage survivors to call back any time, 24/7.
Engage in creative problem solving to help survivors find direction even when resources are unavailable.
Be honest about the availability of potential resources.
Use the ‘warm handoff’ technique whenever possible to connect survivors to other resources.
Call to Safety plans on conducting annual survivor-led evaluations to continuously learn from survivors and improve our services.