Join the Conversation

Telehealth Online Forum
Tuesday, July 7th to Wednesday, September 30th

Please join us in an online, open forum on telehealth. NCB is providing an opportunity for clinicians to ask each other questions, share observations and adapted telehealth protocols for the SoT population via an online forum and technical exchange. This conversation will be a forum for peer-led informational exchange. NCB staff will assist in facilitating and monitoring the conversation.

Directions: Please watch Eugene Augusterfer’s presentation and interview Telemedicine in Mental Health first. Then feel free to join us in this open forum. All are welcome to join this forum, whether you have an account on Healtorture.org or not. For more information on using the forum, please read the directions on the first post. Please keep your comments respectful, relevant, factual, and do not share identifying information about clients per client privacy and HIPAA regulations. This forum will be open from July 6, 2020 through September 30, 2020.

I am a PROVIDER I am a SURVIVOR I have QUESTIONS

What does HealTorture.org offer Service Providers?
How do I learn about the Healing Process?
What can I learn about via Webinars or by watching Videos?
What if I am a New Employee to a program serving torture survivors?
What resources are available to Students researching the healing process of torture survivors?

We encourage people who are serving survivors of torture to submit resources to this website.

Office of Refugee Resettlement

Reporting

The recent memo on ACF Grant Flexibilities has extended the semi-annual reporting deadline for 90 days (PDF icon IM-ACF-OA-2020-01 ACF COVID Flexibilities (FINAL March 30 2020) (002)-signed).  The next semi-annual Performance Progress Report (PPR) and Federal Financial Report (FFR) is now due by July 30, 2020.  Please refer to the ORR SOT semi-annual report guidance for more information (PDF icon ORR SOT Semi-Annual PPR and PDP Guidance FY2020v.2).  The memo also allows grantees to submit abbreviated non-competing continuation (NCC) requests.  The deadline for submitting the NCC request/application remains the same May 14 (Thursday), 2020. 

Telemedicine in Mental Health

The National Capacity Building (NCB) Project at the Center for Victims of Torture is pleased to announce a two-part on-demand learning experience on using telehealth to provide mental health services for survivor of torture clients. This is an opportunity to learn about implementing telemental health from one of the foremost experts in the US on providing telemental health services and then connect with your colleagues to delve more deeply into the nuanced questions and dilemmas specific to delivery of services torture survivors via telemental health.  

  • Part One: Presentation and Interview by Eugene Augusterfer 
  • Part Two: Online Forum

Description

We start with a presentation by Eugene Augusterfer on the basics of providing mental health services through tele-health followed by an in-depth interview where Mr. Augusterfer answers questions on implementing telemental health in SOT programs. This presentation will help you understand what telemental health is; what technology is needed; what providers need to know to deliver telemental health effectively;  and includes protocols for both providers and clients that will help assure success.

COVID-19 Resources

(Last updated 6/29/20)

On this page you will find links to resources on a number of subjects to help you, your staff, and your clients. The National Capacity Building Project (NCB) is planning to organize technical support activities and resources to SOT programs, as you continue to adapt your services within your respective programs and locations.  Subject matter may include telehealth, mind-body/stress management, self-care, among others. We will be updating these pages with informaion on a daily basis. If you would like to share information with us to post, please email Ann Lundberg, NCB Logistics and Communications Coordinator, at alundberg@cvt.org. We are also using our listserv to share information daily. To request membership to our list, click here.

Self-Care during COVID-19

(Updated 6/25/2020)

It is important to remember to take time to care for yourself in stressful situations like the one we are dealing with currently. Self care can be different for everyone. Here are some ways that you can help to care for yourself during this time, which will help build your resilience and ability to care for others.

Information on Tele-Therapy Software

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Image of two people in two different locations on the computers having a video call. Image by Arivle One from Pixaby.
(Updated 6/25/2020)

Below are some tele-health software and tips shared with us by a variety of different organizations through various channels including NCB's Advisory Group and our listserv. Please check your state and local regulations and verify any information before moving forward with any platform. If you would like to share information with us to post, please email Ann Lundberg, NCB Logistics and Communications Coordinator, at alundberg@cvt.org.

Tips on Working from Home

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(Updated 6/25/2020)

Working from home has advantages and disadvantages in the best of times. With the current social distancing that is being required of us to help flatten the curve of COVID-19 working from home can be isolating and challenging. Below are some tips on working from home that were recieved from our listserv and other resources. Feel free to add your tips for working from home in the comment section. We would love to here from you!

Security Concerns with Technology during COVID-19

Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding COVID-19

Learn more about Coronavirus scams from the Federal Trade Commission. Tips for avoiding these scams:

  • Hang up on robocalls.  
  • Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. 
  • Don’t click on or respond to emails asking for personal information in order to receive an economic stimulus check from the government. 
  • Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. 
  • Don’t click on or respond to emails that claim a positive COVID-19 test within your workplace. 
  • Don’t click on or respond to emails claiming to be from the Centers for

Ways SOT Programs are Helping Their Clients

Moving to Tele-Health PlatformsSix hands in a different colors raised in the air reaching towards each other. Image by Natalia Ovcharenko from Pixaby.

Many programs have now transitioned to tele-health platforms to ensure the least disruption in their services to their clients. Click here for Tele-Health Software or here for Tele-Health Regulations.

  • Programs report they have contacted all their clients for initial remote check-in and some screening, over the past weeks. Check-in sessions of 10 minutes are allowable coding for case management.
  • Programs are working on needs assessment for clients during this time and beginning to screen and intake new clients via tele-health.

Wellness and Resilience During COVID-19

Methods for Building Wellness and Resilience

Thank you to Andrea Northwood, PhD, LP, CVT’s Director of Client Services at Center for Victims of Torture for this overview and  introduction to wellness and resilience resources.

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Photograph of person with hand on upper chest, practicing mindful breathing and smiling. Photo by Xevi Casanovas on Unsplash
We recognize that this time of uncertainty can be very anxiety-provoking and challenging. Together, we are facing a truly unprecedented global health pandemic, and it is affecting all aspects of our lives, including our families and friends, work, communities, and cultures. Our hearts go out to anyone who has been impacted by COVID-19 either directly or indirectly; our thoughts and heartfelt wishes for safety and recovery are with you and your loved ones. Amidst all these changes, we want to draw on the lived experience & wisdom of CVT’s clinical family to start ongoing conversations about ways you can take care of yourself, your friends and family to cope with the new stresses we are all facing. Things you can do take care of yourself and others around you:

Intensive psychotherapy and case management for Karen refugees with Major Depression in primary care: a pragmatic randomized control trial

The article can be found here: Intensive psychotherapy and case management for Karen refugees with Major Depression in primary care: a pragmatic randomized control trial, in the journal BMC Family Practice. The authors of the study are Andrea K. Northwood, Maria M. Vukovich, Alison Beckman, Jeffrey P. Walter, Novia Josiah, Leora Hudak, Kathleen O’Donnell Burrows, James P. Letts and Christine C. Danner.

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