Www.healthunit.org Tawnya Boileau, BScN RN, School Health Coordinator Denise Kall, RN BN, Child & Reproductive Health Program Leader Assets in Action

www.healthunit.orgwww.healthunit.org

Tawnya Boileau, BScN RN, School Health CoordinatorTawnya Boileau, BScN RN, School Health Coordinator

Denise Kall, RN BN, Child & Reproductive Health Program LeaderDenise Kall, RN BN, Child & Reproductive Health Program Leader

Assets in Action


• Nov 2010: Power of Assets workshop with Dave Huether

• He challenged all agencies think about:

‘How to begin to embed Developmental Assets into the

organization’s way of doing business?’

Where it all began …


Challenged all:

• To look at what they were already doing with Developmental Assets (DA)

• To build on those strengths

• To look at how to intentionally build DA into our practice

Where it all began …


• Internal brain-storming session with ‘early adopters’ to initiate the plan

• Assigned staff to create a business case to embed DA into our culture

• Created a DA Backgrounder and Logic Model

How we got started …


• Presented DA Backgrounder and Logic Model at our Senior Management Committeeo Emphasized that this is NOT AN ADD ON

How we got started …


Consisted of:

• DA overview

• Potential impact

• Local picture

• Connections to our mandate

• Recommendations

DA Backgrounder …


• Goal: To create Supportive Environments and build Community Capacity to increase DA in children & youth in LG&L

• Covers work internally & externally

• Used resources mainly from Search Institute to help develop it

DA Logic Model


• Activities were grouped into two main categories for our internal and external work: o Awareness /Education/Skill Building o Supportive Environments

DA Logic Model


• Presentations to all departments

• Incorporate DA education into new staff orientation

• Post a list of DA in high traffic areas

• Provide pop up tips on computer

Awareness/ Education - Internal


• Identify DA Champions to lead and sustain the DA work

• Map current programs/services using the DA framework

• Integrate asset building into decision-making re: programs offered

• Integrate asset building into strategic planning

Supportive Environment - Internal


• Create guidelines for staff working with young people

• Review current family -friendly policies with the DA lens

• Explore/develop a workplace policy supporting an extended lunch for volunteering opportunities.



• Create an accompanying list of volunteer opportunities that would support building assets in children and youth

• Explore if the Health Unit can involve children and youth as volunteers. Develop a policy and list of potential volunteer opportunities



• Give recognition to co-workers’ asset building initiatives

• Display asset-building resources in reception areas

• Post children’s artwork in reception areas



• Work with community partners to support awareness & skill-building activities/initiatives

• Implement and or support support programs &

services identified within

DA framework

Awareness/ Education - External


• Participate in community planning tables

• Liaise & advocate for guideline/policies supporting integration of DA

Supportive Environment - External


• Public Health Ontario initiated province wide research projects, including one related to Resiliency

• We supported this direction- later evolved to a Strengths-Based Practice research project

Opportunity Knocked …


• As the project plans evolved, became clear that the research dove-tailed with our agency’s plan

• Captures our goal to create an internal culture that supports developmental assets

• Will provide solid base to implement all activities in logic model

Connections to our DA Strategy


• Pilot Project funded by Public Health Ontario

• Collaborative effort among several health units with LGL as a co-applicant

• Funding to be confirmed this fall

• Partnership with Dr. Wayne Hammond of Resiliency Canada

Research project


• Enhances the positive development of children and youth

• Seeks to understand & develop strengths, assets, and capabilities

• Many practitioners agree with this concept but lack training to implement it

Strengths-Based Practice


• What is the current capacity of public health staff to embed strengths-based approaches into practice?

• What are the essential steps towards integrating strengths-based practice into the organization’s current culture & practice?

• How can public health organizations nurture strengths-based approaches in their community?

Strengths-Based Practice Research Questions


• DA strategy is still a work in progress

• We hope participation in research project will jump start our strategy

• Share the wealth – use & adapt items for your agency as you see fit

• Stay tuned- we’ll come back to report on progress with our next steps

Summary


• Asset Building Checklist

• Asset Building Ideas for any organization

Any Questions?

To help you get started……

Documents

Www.healthunit.org Tawnya Boileau, BScN RN, School Health Coordinator Denise Kall, RN BN, Child & Reproductive Health Program Leader Assets in Action