Engaging SMEs with Lived Experience Training Module 4
Guidance & Recommendations for Government Agencies, Nonprofits, and Other Stakeholders
This training was produced by The Enitan Story under 15POVC-22-GG-01575-MUMU, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this training are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Introduction
Welcome to Module 4 of the Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) with Lived Experience Consulting Training. This module focuses on agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders who are interested in engaging with SMEs with Lived Experience in their programs. We highly recommend completing Modules 1 to 3 of this training. Although the primary audience for those modules is SMEs with Lived Experience, the information provided would benefit every professional in human trafficking/exploitation or related fields.
Survivor-informed leadership is pivotal to successful human trafficking/exploitation efforts. However, stakeholders such as government entities, nonprofit organizations, agencies, and others who want to be more survivor-informed in implementing their programs need help knowing how or what to do. National and local agencies/organizations have been exploring survivor engagement at all levels.
This training will discuss ways to engage with survivor subject matter experts, referred to as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) with Lived Experience, and offer suggestions and guidance on how to create a road map for best practices in a way to do so meaningfully. You will walk away with encouragement and ideas for your next steps in improving your programming and policies by making them more survivor-informed.
In addition, this training would benefit other related disciplines that are looking to engage with SMEs with Lived Experience to improve the outcomes of their programs.
A Refresher from Module 1
Whether you are new to engaging with survivors as SMEs with Lived Experience or experienced in doing so, the following questions are still relevant to understanding the unique and specialized skills that SMEs with Lived Experience bring to inform the work in the human trafficking/exploitation field.
We encourage you to refer to Module 1 of this training for in-depth answers to these questions and how to use them to mutually benefit your agency/organization and the SMEs with Lived Experience you are or will be working with.
What makes a Subject Matter Expert with Lived Experience
Personal experience makes an individual an SME with Lived Experience. It is not something learned from school, and only the individual has the authority to choose how to use their lived experience for work. It is important to note that individuals with lived experience are more than just their stories/testimony.
Why are Subject Matter Experts with Lived Experience needed in the human trafficking/exploitation movement?
They know what it takes to get through trauma and are still able to use it positively to teach professionals in the human trafficking/exploitation field how to implement programs that result in better outcomes for individuals who have experienced trafficking/exploitation.
Why are title and language essential when working with a Subject Matter Expert with Lived Experience?
Titles are important to ensure that SMEs with Lived Experience are treated with dignity and respect while using their lived experience to contribute to the work. It is imperative that an SME with Lived Experience is not defined only by their traumatic experience but also understand that they are invaluable professionals who contribute to the overall success of our programs. An SME with Lived Experience should choose their own title or how they would like to be addressed. Therefore, we recommend that you ask how they would like to be addressed.
This training is delivered in a series of videos from The Enitan Story delivered by SMEs with lived experience instructors.
Download the instructors’ bio here.
- Mel Alver: Community Advocate, Public Health Educator, and Human Trafficking Subject Matter Expert
- Honorable Ronny Marty: Certified Public Accountant, Hospitality Manager, CEO of Marty Professional Cleaning Services in Florida
- Click here to learn more.
- Monica Miller: LSW/Survivor Advocate, Founder, CHUSE-Creating Hope & Unity for Survivors of Exploitation & CEO, M & M Creations.
- Click here to learn more.
- Bukola Oriola: Founder, The Enitan Story and CEO, Bukola Oriola Group, LLC makers of Ewa Hair & Skincare
Register for the training to access the videos and download the training materials.
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