Building Personal Support Networks

Building Personal Support Networks

Welcome!

Introductions

Aaron Johannes

Susan Stanfield

Business cards

Go Round

Introduce yourself to someone new

Discover two things you have in common

Introduce your partner to the group

What is a personal support network?

What’s important about a personal support network?

Demonstration Project on Building Personal Support Networks

Demonstration projects

Langley, Mission, Grand Forks, Vancouver

6 months (Jan-June 2007)

½ of participants had no identified networks

Predictions

Surprises

Lack of documentation

• Contacts not documented• Tied to the program, not the person• Relationships not evident as a priority

– Planning meetings– Individual goals– Staff job descriptions– Program monitoring

Family dynamics

• Expanded role within the family

• Reciprocity• Sibling relationships• Extended family

Simple strategies not in place

• Address books• Day timer / calendar• Contacts list• Photo albums• Accessible phone• Generic transportation• Same time, same place

Others DO want to be involved

• 100% of people said yes to more involvement

CHALLENGES

Problem solving

Solution Circle• 6 minutes – present the problem

(Only the Problem Presenter speaks!)

• 6 minutes – brainstorm(Problem Presenter does NOT speak!)

• 6 minutes – open discussion

• 6 minutes – decide on next steps (First step to be taken in next 24 hrs)

Source: Judith Snow, Jack Pearpointand Marsha Forrest

The “lens of relationship”

Week at a glance for (name): Date:

  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Morning activity              

Location              

Accompanied by              

Contacts              

Afternoon activity              

Location              

Accompanied by              

Contacts              

Evening activity              

Location              

Accompanied by              

Contacts              

Week at a Glance• Observations?

– How many recurring activities each week?– Are you utilizing resources in your community?– How many recurring contacts? Known by name?– How much time alone vs. with others?– How much time with staff vs. unpaid others?

• What are the opportunities?– Same activity, different intention– Build in new connections to existing routines

• Teachable moments– Where could support be faded?

Community Inventory• Stores• Businesses• Restaurants• Coffee shops• Banks• Parks• Schools• Recreation facilities• Churches• Theatres

Community Inventory (cont’d)• Walk or take transit• Same time, same place• Opportunities for socially valued roles

– Neighbour– Community member– Block watch– Customer– Employee– Volunteer

Take it one step at a time

“Lean into” your future Start with one thing Celebrate success!

Focus on the positive

Strengths Interests Abilities Commonalities

What Buddy’s file tells us about him

- IQ below 70 - Williams Syndrome - Sexually confused - Sexually precocious - Capacity to understand others is lower than apparent - Speaks at a higher level than he is able to understand - Inconsistent - Traumatised (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) - Vulnerable - Unable to maintain connection with others - Echolalia and OCD - Disordered attachment - Problematic self-care - Self-centred - Cannot get along with family - Avoids confrontation - History of drug use

Who wants to be friends with Buddy?

Buddy Jones – Post-it Notes Asset Inventory

Friendly Silly Outgoing Caring Funny Honest Does great impersonations Open to joy A loyal, dedicated friend Kind Great at introducing himself Forgiving Great in new social situations, likes meeting new people Assertive Will put himself out there Creative Loves horror films and haunted houses Loves animals Very connected with minorities Trusting Good at networking and finding natural supports Political Concerned to stay healthy, mentally and physically Keeps trying Insistent on minority rights for all Ambitious Wants others to succeed Yoga and meditation Resourceful; can figure out what he needs and find it Loves music Loves his family and always willing to “work it out” Honourable Has learned a lot about presenting himself and standing up for self

Riding the Bus with My

Sister

Affirmations

Keep Track of Your Contacts!• Address books• Photo albums• Phone list• Email• Facebook• TYZE• Other ideas?

Wrap-up

Other Resources www.101friends.ca (Spectrum’s Personal Support Networks website) www.microboard.org (Vela Microboard Association) www.planinstitute.ca (PLAN Institute for Caring Citizenship) http://www.bcacl.org/index.cfm (BC Association for Community Living) http://www.cacl.ca/ (Canadian Association for Community Living) http://www.philia.ca/ (Philia – a dialogue on caring citizenship) http://www.tash.org/index.html (TASH International) http://www.dimagine.com (David Pitonyak’s website) http://www.margaretwheatley.com/ (Margaret Wheatley’s site) http://www.johnlord.net/ (John Lord’s site) http://www.neighborsproject.org/ (Chicago Neighbors Project) http://thechp.syr.edu/rsapub.htm (John & Connie O’Brien) http://www.inclusion.com/ (Inclusion Press) http://www.peaceforinclusion.blogspot.com/ (Judith Snow – “World

Peace Through Inclusion” tour)

FEEDBACK

Thank you for your participation

www.101friends.ca

Contact us at psn@spectrumsociety.org for inquiries about purchasing books, dvds, or further training in

any of the areas covered today

Contact Jule.D.Hopkins@gov.bc.ca for inquiries or feedback about CLBC’s Safeguards and

Accountability project