Do you want to learn how to help immigrant survivors and their families? Do you need expert advice on a challenging legal issue? Do you have a case and don’t know where to start? Survivors’ needs are complex, and the immigration process can be confusing. VIDA offers trainings and technical assistance to advocates and professionals, from beginners to advanced practitioners, to help you provide accurate information and assistance to survivors. VIDA staff are subject matter experts, and are known nationally and internationally for their expertise.
INFORMATION & ASSISTANCE FOR ADVOCATES
For more information about best practices, laws, and strategies for working with survivors; and for links to materials and resources to assist you, check out our library.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Whatever your role, VIDA can provide guidance and resources to help you do your job and make a difference. We’ve assisted:
- Attorneys, law students
- Victim advocates (at shelters, with police, etc.)
- Law enforcement (police, prosecutors, etc.)
- Consulates
- Judges, court personnel
- Social service providers, community-based organizations
- Academics, university staff, professional schools (law, medicine, social work, hospitality, etc.)
- Health care industry (first responders, medical staff, program personnel, etc.)
- Churches, faith-based organizations
- School staff
- Activists and organizers
- Government staff
- Community members
TOPICS & MATERIALS
For training and presentations, VIDA creates curricula and materials specific to each audience. Technical assistance can be related to a specific case or specialized subject matter. VIDA also works through partners and third parties to improve access to technical assistance and training for advocates worldwide – we can guide you to whichever platform is most suitable for your professional needs. Some basic topics of expertise include:
- Access to justice for immigrant survivors
- Identifying victims
- Intersection of immigration law, domestic violence law, and family law
- Human trafficking, including forced labor and sex trafficking
- Identifying basic needs
- Working in a collaborative model
- Therapeutic lawyering