Assets in Action Tawnya Boileau BSc N RN

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

Where it all began … • 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? ’ www. healthunit. org

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 www. healthunit. org

How we got started … • 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 www. healthunit. org

How we got started … • Presented DA Backgrounder and Logic Model at our Senior Management Committee o Emphasized that this is NOT AN ADD ON www. healthunit. org

DA Backgrounder … Consisted of: • DA overview • Potential impact • Local picture • Connections to our mandate • Recommendations www. healthunit. org

DA Logic Model • 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 www. healthunit. org

DA Logic Model • Activities were grouped into two main categories for our internal and external work: o Awareness /Education/Skill Building o Supportive Environments www. healthunit. org

Awareness/ Education - Internal • 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 www. healthunit. org

Supportive Environment - 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 www. healthunit. org

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. www. healthunit. org

Supportive Environment - Internal • 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 www. healthunit. org

Supportive Environment - Internal • Give recognition to coworkers’ asset building initiatives • Display asset-building resources in reception areas • Post children’s artwork in reception areas www. healthunit. org

Awareness/ Education - External • Work with community partners to support awareness & skill-building activities/initiatives • Implement and or support programs & services identified within DA framework www. healthunit. org

Supportive Environment - External • Participate in community planning tables • Liaise & advocate for guideline/policies supporting integration of DA www. healthunit. org

Opportunity Knocked … • 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 www. healthunit. org

Connections to our DA Strategy • 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 www. healthunit. org

Research project • 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 www. healthunit. org

Strengths-Based Practice • 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 www. healthunit. org

Strengths-Based Practice Research Questions • 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? www. healthunit. org

Summary • 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 www. healthunit. org

To help you get started…… • Asset Building Checklist • Asset Building Ideas for any organization Any Questions? www. healthunit. org