The Psychology of Poverty How Understanding Executive Function can Improve Public Assistance Programs

Transcription

1 The Psychology of Poverty How Understanding Executive Function can Improve Public Assistance Programs NAWRS Workshop -- Atlanta August 2015

2 What is Executive Function? Air Traffic Controller of the Brain The frontal lobe of the brain organizes other brain functions. It acts as the executive to the overall brain functioning. Executive function impacts people s ability to succeed in the workforce, in educational attainment and in personal relationships. NAWRS

3 Components of Executive Function Attention Shifting/Flexibility capacity to nimbly switch gears and adjust to changed demands, priorities or perspectives. Working Memory capacity to hold and manipulate information in our heads over short periods of time Inhibitory Control the ability to filter our thoughts and impulses so we can resist temptations, distractions and habits and to pause and think before we act *National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, National Forum on Early Childhood Policy and Programs Building the Brain s Air Traffic Control System: How Early Experiences Shape the Development of Executive Function NAWRS

4 Understanding Executive Skills We all have strengths and weaknesses Response Inhibition Organization Working Memory Time Management Emotional Control Goal-Direct Persistence Task Initiation Flexibility Sustained Attention Metacognition Planning/Prioritization Stress Tolerance From Dick Guare (May 2014) NAWRS

5 Crisis, stress impact executive skills And sometimes you just don t have enough bandwidth NAWRS

6 What does impacted ES look like in our programs? NAWRS

7 Knowing all this, how do we improve program outcomes? NAWRS

8 Improvement Example #1 Implementing Coaching Techniques

9 Coaching Techniques Showing Promise Participants with Job Club instructors who used coaching techniques were 20% more likely to become employed. Crittenton Women s Union has seen an increase in wages from $5.36/hour to $20.18/hour for participants in their Mobility Mentoring program. Ramsey County, MN is implementing coaching training for all case managers. NAWRS

10 How does Coaching improve programs? PCG s Human Services Coaching Framework : Provides validity, structure and terminology to what your best people probably already do and provides a guide so others can do the same Develops an additional skill set in staff s tool box Builds upon established techniques in social work and borrows best practices from early childhood educations Provides a mindset and framework to think about the work we do and our role in social services NAWRS

11 PCG s Human Services Coaching Framework As adapted for Ramsey County trainings NAWRS

12 NAWRS

13 Motivational Interviewing and Coaching These two similar yet different techniques can be used together to compliment one another NAWRS

14 Improvement Example #2 Focusing on the Environment, Processes and Communication

15 Focusing on customer environment, processes and communication Photo of RI DHS office design by (Add)ventures from the In- Office Observation Report & Concept Test Plan, July 3, NAWRS

16 Improvement Example #3 Redesigned Job Search

17 Live Well San Diego Coaching + Peer Support + Exercise NAWRS

18 Establish Peer Networks and Cohorts Copyright Public Consulting Group, Inc NAWRS

19 Improvement Example #4 Behavioral Economics Concepts

20 Behavioral Economics A Classic Nudge 401K opt ins versus opt outs NAWRS

21 Nudges Being a voter versus voting Increased turnout 10.9 percentage points. Motivating voter turnout by invoking the self, Christopher J. Bryan, Gregory M. Walton, Todd Rogers, and Carol S. Dweck, June NAWRS

22 Nudges in Our Work Using texting or phone options to say 80% of WORKs clients have already submitted their hours for last month. Have you submitted yours? Sign up for this week s job fair by texting Yes in reply. Ask questions like How do you plan to turn in your participation hours this month? What will you do if your child is sick and must stay home from school on the day of your interview? NAWRS

23 Discussion

24 Examine TANF Flow: Where Could EF Fit? Copyright Public Consulting Group, Inc NAWRS

25 Practical Application of EF Informed DEsign Copyright Public Consulting Group, Inc NAWRS

26 Contact us Deborah Joffe Senior Consultant NAWRS

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