Welcome to Workforce 3 One U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration February 3, 2015 Presented by: Division of Youth Services – YouthBuild U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration

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3 Cheryl J. Beasley Acting Workforce Analyst US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Department of Youth Services

1.Participants will receive recommendations on the use of a type of support group used in YouthBuild called an “equal-time support group.” 2.Participants will be able to network and peer share promising strategies. 3.Participants will learn the fundamentals of designing an equal-time support group and the keys to successful facilitation. 4

Overview of the content Q & A Discussion 5

Participate in open discussion with facilitators and peers. Phones will be un- muted. Be courteous. Reduce extraneous noise for the best audio quality by muting your phone, if you are not speaking. Choose the breakout room based on the number shown on your screen. 6

7 John Bell Vice President for Leadership Development, Graduate Leadership, and Mentoring YouthBuild USA

Healing Counseling Individual Practices Group Practices Theory, Frameworks Culture, Wider World Body, Mind, Heart, Spirit Meditation & Prayer Life Plan Journaling Self-appreciation Seven Thinking Errors Others Peer Counseling Support Groups 12 Step Programs Circle Process Diversity Work Appreciations Power Source Laugh Club Others Self, Others, World Maslow’s Hierarchy Ferguson-Snipes Multi-cultural Couns. Peer Counseling Others Program, Culture, Race, Geography, World forces 8

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Body Needs hunger, thirst, bodily comfort Security Needs safety, employment, health, money Social Needs belonging, friendship, love, family Self-Esteem Needs competence, achievement, respect Self- Actualization full potential Self- Transcendence spiritual fulfillment 9

Self Others World Goal is to Understand Who Am I? Body, Mind, Heart, Spirit, Behavior One-on-one Counseling & Healing Peer Counseling & Support Groups Community Building Relationships Group Counseling Support Groups Life Skills Case Management Leadership Skills 10

Healing Counseling Individual Practices Group Practices Theory, Frameworks Culture, Wider World Body, Mind, Heart, Spirit Meditation & Prayer Life Plan Journaling Self-appreciation Seven Thinking Errors Others Peer Counseling Support Groups 12 Step Programs Circle Process Diversity Work Appreciations Power Source Laugh Club Others Self, Others, World Maslow’s Hierarchy Ferguson-Snipes Multi-cultural Couns. Peer Counseling Others Program, Culture, Race, Geography, World forces 11

Healing Counseling Individual Practices Group Practices Theory, Frameworks Culture, Wider World Body, Mind, Heart, Spirit Meditation & Prayer Life Plan Journaling Self-appreciation Seven Thinking Errors Others Peer Counseling Support Groups 12 Step Programs Circle Process Diversity Work Appreciations Power Source Laugh Club Others Self, Others, World Maslow’s Hierarchy Ferguson-Snipes Multi-cultural Couns. Peer Counseling Others Program, Culture, Race, Geography, World forces 12

Rap groups –“keeping it real” groups –“family”, “strong circles”, “home groups” check-ins –open topics like: what’s on your mind, or… –selected topics like: healthy relationships, fear of failing, racism, spirituality, family, and so on 13

Affinity groups - similar backgrounds or issues –brother to brother, sister to sister groups –parents support group –people in recovery –an LGBTQ group –study groups…and so on 14

15 What type of affinity groups have you used at your program: brother to brother / sister to sister groupsparents support grouppeople in recoveryLGBTQ groupOther

Informal support groups –Happen at lunch, on construction site, end of class –Each person invited to talk about questions like: What have I accomplished this week? How was I a good leader this week? What did I learn on the job site this week? How could we be an even better team? …and so on 16

Rap groups Affinity groups -- similar backgrounds or issues Informal support groups Equal-time Support Groups 17

What Why How When Fine points 18

What—structure of the group  Groups of 4-6 people  Divide time equally; each person takes a turn talking  Speaker shares what on his or her mind or heart  Listeners listen with full attention  Appreciation of speaker after turn 19

Why use this format? provides a safe, structured place for sharing teaches good listening skills people learn to handle emotions effectively creates understanding and compassion for others can be facilitated by group members process can be used with staff, family, friends, work 20

How to facilitate it 1. Explain the purpose and process of equal time support groups 2. Facilitator reminds people of the attitudes of good listening Warm undivided attention Eye contact Respectful body posture Positive facial expression Acceptance of feelings No advice, no comments, no judgments Confidential 3. Arrange groups of 4-6, sitting in close circles (not around tables) 21

How to facilitate it (cont’d) 4. Ask each person to share one thing that’s going well (1 min ea) 5. Divide time equally; each person takes a turn talking 6. Speaker shares what’s on his or her mind or heart; can remain quiet 7. Listeners listen with full attention 8. Appreciations from people on each side of speaker 9. Facilitator thanks group for good attention; reminder about confidentiality 22

When to use it  During Mental Toughness  At beginning of staff meetings  As part of family time with students  During community meetings  At Policy Committee meetings occasionally  For processing an emotional community experience  As part of regular counseling program 23

Fine points for facilitator  Not a conversation: one person speaking, others just listening  Staff need to be in groups at first to set the tone, maintain safety  Turns of 7-10 minutes work well to begin; reserve minutes total  If new group, suggest telling life stories; otherwise, speaker’s choice  Rule: don’t use turn to dump anger or criticism on another person in the group  Keep time; pass watch or timepiece; give speaker 30-second time check  If emotions arise, welcome the feelings  Remember to distinguish people from their feelings  Structure appreciations thoughtfully; these often take longer than planned  If confidentiality is broken, make it a teachable moment 24

Pitfalls to avoid letting equal time go & slide into conversation group members not giving their full attention individual using turn to criticize another group member insisting that each person talks; not making it voluntary sharing breaking confidentiality opening up emotionally to traumatic experience, without follow-up support

Healing Counseling Individual Practices Group Practices Theory, Frameworks Culture, Wider World Body, Mind, Heart, Spirit Meditation & Prayer Life Plan Journaling Self-appreciation Seven Thinking Errors Others Peer Counseling Support Groups 12 Step Programs Circle Process Diversity Work Appreciations Power Source Laugh Club Others Self, Others, World Maslow’s Hierarchy Ferguson-Snipes Multi-cultural Couns. Peer Counseling Others Program, Culture, Race, Geography, World forces 26

27 Participate in open discussion with facilitators and peers. Phones will be un-muted. Be courteous. Reduce extraneous noise for the best audio quality by muting your phone, if you are not speaking. Choose the breakout room based on the number shown on your screen. It may take a few minutes for the room number to appear on your screen.

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29 What was discussed during the session? What questions consistently surfaced?

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31 U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Division of Youth Services DOL YouthBuild Webpage The YouthBuild Manual for Counseling, Case Management, and Program Culture s.aspx?pparams= U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Family and Youth Service Bureau

32 The next DOL YouthBuild webinar will be on: March 10th at 2:00 PM (EDT)

33 John Bell Vice President for Leadership Development, Graduate Leadership, and Mentoring YouthBuild USA

Thank You! Find resources for workforce system success at: 34