Engaging Families to participate in a family group conference Introduction of Presenters Introduction of Presenters Troy Tate, Dereasha Leaks, Sandra Taylor, Migdalia “Candy” DeJesus, Cynthea Gross, Shavonne Tate, Troy Tate, Dereasha Leaks, Sandra Taylor, Migdalia “Candy” DeJesus, Cynthea Gross, Shavonne Tate,

Today’s Agenda Welcome/Introduction of Family Members Welcome/Introduction of Family Members Brief summary about the Dauphin County Family Advisory Committee Brief summary about the Dauphin County Family Advisory Committee Tell us who is here with us today Tell us who is here with us today In this workshop we will examine and explore what's in a word or what we perceive we see. In this workshop we will examine and explore what's in a word or what we perceive we see. We will engage you in various activities to examine and explore these concepts We will engage you in various activities to examine and explore these concepts Finally share with you some techniques for effective communication and engagement. Finally share with you some techniques for effective communication and engagement. Questions and Answers Questions and Answers

Workshop Purpose: To encourage professionals and families to examine and understand how we view words. To encourage professionals and families to examine and understand how we view words. To explore how our responses to verbal and non-verbal expressions are often rooted in obvious factors such as; age, culture, economic status, education and personal values etc…, which can possibly lead us to ineffective communication and lack of engagement. To explore how our responses to verbal and non-verbal expressions are often rooted in obvious factors such as; age, culture, economic status, education and personal values etc…, which can possibly lead us to ineffective communication and lack of engagement.

What is effective communication? According to Ask.com Effective Communication means the ability to express ourselves well, both verbally and non-verbally, in ways which are proper to our Cultures and Situations

Learning Objective: Participants will learn that although we speak the same language. “ Words” can mean something totally different from one person to another. Words that are misinterpreted can cause ineffective communication and inability to engage people. Participants will learn that although we speak the same language. “ Words” can mean something totally different from one person to another. Words that are misinterpreted can cause ineffective communication and inability to engage people.

Learning Objective 2: Participants will learn simple techniques that enable them to explore their own sense of what they perceive is being said or viewed, and how this can differ depending upon different variables such as; age, life experiences, economic status, and cultures etc..

Activity # 1 “What’s In a Word?” exploring how our inference of a word is usually based on own life experiences,values, culture, age etc.. Let’s look at a,”WORD” together!!!

Participants will be engaged Activity # 1 Activity # 1 Exploration Exercise Exploration Exercise “What’s in a Word” “What’s in a Word” Focusing on how we inference a word based on many things such as life experiences, values, culture,etc… Focusing on how we inference a word based on many things such as life experiences, values, culture,etc… Activity # 2 Activity # 2 Exploration Exercise Exploration Exercise “Is what you see always the same as what others see?” “Is what you see always the same as what others see?” Focusing on what we perceive based on our own experiences, values and culture, etc… Focusing on what we perceive based on our own experiences, values and culture, etc…

Activity # 3 Finally Participants will have an opportunity to view a short skit which will demonstrate how to use a technique called “CPR” of effective communication which leads to better engagement between families and professionals C- check in P- pause R- respond

Share our understanding of why words and what we see can mean different things. Participants will have a better understanding of how and why words mean different things to different people that are speaking the same language. Participants will have a better understanding of how and why words mean different things to different people that are speaking the same language. Participant will have an understanding of how and why people see the same things differently based on their own life experiences, cultures, and values etc… Participant will have an understanding of how and why people see the same things differently based on their own life experiences, cultures, and values etc…

To Reiterate on how we can effectively communicate and engage Remember the simple technique to help improve effective communication and engagement between professionals and families, through the use of C.P.R. Remember the simple technique to help improve effective communication and engagement between professionals and families, through the use of C.P.R. Don’t be scared to address the elephant in the room such as various differences; age, cultural, ethnicity, and being honest will help with effective communication Don’t be scared to address the elephant in the room such as various differences; age, cultural, ethnicity, and being honest will help with effective communication

CHECK IN (C) Don’t be afraid to state the obvious, when you first meet to communicate. Don’t be afraid to state the obvious, when you first meet to communicate. Be honest about what the obvious may mean for the two of you communicating Be honest about what the obvious may mean for the two of you communicating Tell the person you like to check in with them to make sure you are hearing what you think your hearing them say. Tell the person you like to check in with them to make sure you are hearing what you think your hearing them say.

PAUSE (P) Be ready to stop Be ready to stop Take time to listen Take time to listen Learn what someone is saying from their prospective. Learn what someone is saying from their prospective.

Respond After; (R) Checking in Checking in Pause Pause Respond with clarity and mutual understanding for effective communication and engagement. Respond with clarity and mutual understanding for effective communication and engagement.

Thank you for allowing us to present this workshop to you We are the Dauphin County Systems of Care Family Advisor Committee: Troy Tate, Migdalia “Candy” Dejesus, Shavonne Tate, Dereasha Leaks, Cynthea Gross and Sandra Taylor Contact: Troy L. Tate Sr.