The Psychology of Poverty How Understanding Executive Function can Improve Public Assistance Programs NAWRS Workshop -- Atlanta August 2015
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. www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 2
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 www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 3
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) www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 4
Crisis, stress impact executive skills And sometimes you just don t have enough bandwidth www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 5
What does impacted ES look like in our programs? www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 6
Knowing all this, how do we improve program outcomes? www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 7
Improvement Example #1 Implementing Coaching Techniques
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. www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 9
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 www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 10
PCG s Human Services Coaching Framework As adapted for Ramsey County trainings www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 11
www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 12
Motivational Interviewing and Coaching These two similar yet different techniques can be used together to compliment one another www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 13
Improvement Example #2 Focusing on the Environment, Processes and Communication
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, 2014 www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 15
Improvement Example #3 Redesigned Job Search
Live Well San Diego Coaching + Peer Support + Exercise www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 17
Establish Peer Networks and Cohorts Copyright Public Consulting Group, Inc. 2014 www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 18
Improvement Example #4 Behavioral Economics Concepts
Behavioral Economics A Classic Nudge 401K opt ins versus opt outs www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 20
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 2011 www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 21
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? www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 22
Discussion
Examine TANF Flow: Where Could EF Fit? Copyright Public Consulting Group, Inc. 2014 www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 24
Practical Application of EF Informed DEsign Copyright Public Consulting Group, Inc. 2014 www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 25
Contact us Deborah Joffe Senior Consultant djoffe@pcgus.com 617-426-2026 www.pcghumanservices.com NAWRS 2015 26
www.publicconsultinggroup.com