Goal Planning: A Strengths-Based Approach to Working with Women By Lissa Samantaraya-Shivji & Melina dekoninck Calgary Women s Emergency Shelter
Overview A foundation of beliefs in action An introduction to goal planning The process Our results What we are learning 2
Values and Beliefs Values Respect Responsibility Individual Social Integrity Empowerment Beliefs FV is a deliberate choice Victims resist abuse All individuals have strengths and abilities FV affects us all All individuals have a right to live free of actual or threatened violence 3
An Organizational Shift Building on our beliefs key concepts We operate from a client-centred approach, honouring the expertise of each individual We believe in working from a strengths-based perspective, because all individuals have inherent strengths and abilities Our work together is goal-oriented, supporting individuals and families in their efforts to live free from family violence and abuse 4
Bridging our talk and walk What s changed? Policies 5
6
Bridging our talk and walk What s changed? Policies Procedures Clinical work with clients 7
Working with clients Response-based approach Highlights what victims do to oppose abuse and maintain their dignity Encourages perpetrators to see their abusive behaviour as a choice, and therefore within their control I realize that if I am making this many choices about what to throw, I can make the choice not to throw things at all. 8
Bridging our talk and walk What s changed? Policies Procedures Clinical work with clients Communication 9
10
11
Bridging our talk and walk What s changed? Policies Procedures Clinical work with clients Communication Fundraising 12
13
14
Bridging our talk and walk What s changed? Policies Procedures Clinical work with clients Communication Fundraising Program evaluation and research 15
Shifts in Program Evaluation OLD thinking Deficit focused; what is the client lacking? Does not appreciate clients expertise prior to program/service (fixed) Little flexibility re: outcomes (the client fits or doesn t fit) Service providers decide the end goal NEW thinking Clients have skills, strengths, and abilities that we need to acknowledge and build on Work with where the client is at and where the client wants to go Outcomes are broader but still focused on our mission 16
Goal Planning Goal Planning Goal setting theory by Locke Draws on solution-focused work (see De Jong and Kim Berg) Goal planning/setting in counselling (see Dyer & Vriend, 1977) Research re: goal setting in populations of DV offenders, but less so with victims 17
Goal Planning Goal planning (Latham & Budworth, 2007) Choice focus efforts activities that will help the individual reach their goal Effort individuals efforts to attain their goal increase, therefore likelihood of success increases Persistence ensures greater ability to work through setbacks because there is an anchored goal Cognition individuals become more mindful of what they want to achieve, which may lead to changes in behaviour 18
Goal Setting in the CS Goal Setting in the Community Services (CS) Includes Community Counselling, Outreach Programs (crisis and follow-up counselling) Guidelines for Goal Setting Goals are identified and measured by the positive changes clients want to see not the absence of a negative Goals need to focus on what the client is able to do themselves 19
Goal Setting in the CS Guidelines for Goal Setting Goals need to be SMART Goals need to be mutually agreed on by client and counsellor Goals are often systemic All clients have inherent strengths, skills, and abilities that they draw on to work toward their goals 20
Goal Planning as Evaluation Goal planning is traditionally a tool that allows the client and counsellor to focus their time and resources together to achieve success, BUT Also useful as an evaluation tool Combined with a quantitative progress scale measured at intervals throughout service Use qualitative check-ins that support progress to date, and continued success 21
Starting the process Initial Goal Setting 22
Our Outcomes Women increase their knowledge of safety issues Women increase their knowledge and awareness of family violence abuse issues Women increase their ability to access and connect with community resources Women increase/strengthen their emotional health and well-being Women increase their support network and develop healthy, supportive relationships 23
At Initial Goal Setting 24
Getting Started Lead-in questions/framing How will things be different? What will you do instead? How did you figure out how to do that? What do you want to see change? How would that be helpful? What s the best way I can help you? What s the most important thing to you? 25
At 3 Month Review At 6 Month Review 26
At 9 Month Review At Discharge 27
Follow Up Questions My Counsellor helped me identify my strengths, skills, and abilities trusted me as the expert on what I needed and wanted was responsive to my needs and goals as they changed over time 28
Follow Up Questions What did you learn about yourself through the process that helped you make successful, or positive changes? What strengths and resources will you use to continue experiencing success, or continue striving towards your goals, now that you have completed the program? 29
Preliminary Results Aggregate scores for Outreach/CRC Initial rating = 3.69 (n=54) 3 month rating = 5.68 (n=50) 6 month rating = 5.85 (n=20) 9 month rating = 8.33 (n=3) Discharge rating = 7.5 (n=8) 30
Safety Goals Example Assuring of my personal safety and (my) rights in my living situation 95% rated themselves greater than a 1 at initial rating, suggesting clients believe they have a foundation of skills re: safety (n=19) Average at initial rating = 4.3 Average at last available rating = 6.8 31
Healthy Relationships Goals Example To know what a good relationship looks like 93% rated themselves greater than a 1 at initial rating, suggesting clients believe they have a foundation of skills re: healthy relationships (n=14) Average at initial rating = 3.9 Average at last available rating = 6.9 32
Emotional Health Goals Examples Identify my strengths and explore personal options Create a balanced lifestyle and feel grounded and confident in (my) decision making 88% rated themselves greater than a 1 at initial rating, suggesting clients believe they have a foundation of skills re: emotional health (n=33) Average at initial rating = 3.5 Average at last available rating = 6.4 33
Community Supports Goals Examples Getting knowledge of all the resources for baby supplies so when babies are born, I will have everything they need Affordable housing 94% rated themselves greater than a 1 at initial rating, suggesting clients believe they have a foundation of skills re: community supports (n=18) Average at initial rating = 3.8 Average at last available rating = 5.9 34
Family Violence Goals Examples Get a lawyer to represent me Escape from (abusive) relationship complete 88% rated themselves greater than a 1 at initial rating, suggesting clients believe they have a foundation of skills re: family violence issues (n=8) Average at initial rating = 3.3 Average at last available rating = 7.4 35
Follow Up Results My counsellor 98% -helped me identify my strengths, skills, and abilities 98% -trusted me as the expert on what I needed and wanted 93% -was responsive to my needs and goals as they changed over time I am stronger than I give myself credit for. I am able to do it even though I feel weak sometimes. 36
Trends When asked to focus on what theycould change, fewer clients focused on family violence than expected Majority of clients recognize their skills strengths, and abilities at initial rating Not all clients reach 10 by program completion 37
What CounsellorsSay Successes: Goal setting is very empowering; self-esteem is built through small successes Helps us to know when client is ready to leave the program Keeps counsellors and clients focused Maintains the role of the counsellorand the boundaries between counsellor and client 38
What Counsellors Say Challenges Clients can focus on the negative, and may have difficulty articulating goals in positive terms Goal planning as a process can be very difficult with clients who have little or no English Clients and their motivation to reach their goals varies greatly Abstract ideas can be hard to measure and shape into goals 39
What Clients Say My knowledge of resources has grown thus I know where to get the support I need if needed. Affirmation of me being the director of my life. I have become more aware of my goals and my confidence. Nobody can stop me now. 40
Tips Goal planning is successful when It is important to start goal planning early Goals should be important to the client and focus on what they can change (let the client lead) You can always add goals Start small Be positive! 41
Getting Creative Create a goals book Write goals on a notecard 42
Getting Creative 43
What We ve Learned New form aggregates client goals Streamline paperwork for counsellors and clients Visible tracking of goal progress over time Encourages multiple, manageable goals Still important to ask clarifying questions Added goal area Life skills goals 44
45
What We ve Learned Creating a form linked to program on OT Intervals of measurement are not fixed measuring often keeps you focused on goals 46
Going forward Goals must be specific Next step is to help clients hone/own the skill Use questions to determine specificity More specific analysis Develop plain language tools to support counsellors with clients who speak little or no English 47
Successes of Goal Planning Successes Goals are individualized; the client is in control A powerful tool that builds self-esteem Focuses the time together and works toward a goal Goal planning really captures what we do in the program facilitate and empower 48
Challenges of Goal Planning Challenges Issues may arise that impact client s progress toward goals Defeating for client Suggests little change was achieved Need initial and follow-up scores in order to show impact of program 49
"By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be. Put your future in good hands your own. Mark Victor Hansen 50