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TOWARD A PSYCHOLOGY OF TOWARD A PSYCHOLOGY OF LIBERATION: LIBERATION:
FOUNDATIONS, APPLICATIONS FOUNDATIONS, APPLICATIONS AND CHALLENGESAND CHALLENGES
Isaac PrilleltenskyIsaac PrilleltenskyUniversity of MiamiUniversity of Miami
isaac@miami.eduwww.education.miami.edu/isaacwww.education.miami.edu/isaac
WHAT IS LIBERATION PSYCHOLOGYWHAT IS LIBERATION PSYCHOLOGY??
Liberation psychology is concerned with the promotion of psychological theories and practices that reflect a cogent set of moral principles that promote the liberation of individuals, groups, and collectives. As a value-based psychology, liberation psychology is concerned not only with what IS but also with what SHOULD BE, and with the contributions psychology can make towards that end.
ORDER OF PRESENTATIONORDER OF PRESENTATION
RATIONALE
PROPOSAL
FOUNDATIONS
APPLICATIONS
CHALLENGES
RATIONALERATIONALE Psychology is concerned with describing and predicting behavior Psychology has shied away from explicitly prescribing behavior
However, we are, in effect, involved in creating culture and in prescribing behavior. Even if we don’t want to assume that responsibility, we make value judgments all the time. Hence, it’s better to be explicit about our values.
Psychology is concerned with what IS Psychology has shied away from SHOULD
If no one is concerned with how individuals SHOULD lead their lives, and how governments and societies SHOULD treat their citizens, then we are stuck with the status quo. Hence, psychology can and should contribute to creating a better society.
As a value based psychology, liberation psychology is concerned with
A good and free live for individuals A good and free society
PROPOSALPROPOSAL((What the SHOULD is all about)What the SHOULD is all about)
THREE TYPES OF WELLNESSTHREE TYPES OF WELLNESS
PERSONAL WELLNESS
RELATIONAL WELLNESS
COLLECTIVE WELLNESS
Health Respect for diversity
Social justice
Self determination
Collaboration and democratic participation
Support for social structures
Meaning and Spirituality Liberation from intrapsychic oppressive forces
Caring and compassion Liberation from interpersonal oppression
Support for the environment Liberation from societal oppressive forces
A Matter of BalanceA Matter of Balance
Foreground and background
Personal well-being
Collective well-being
Relational well-being
PRINCIPLES FOR THE APPLICATION OF VALUESPRINCIPLES FOR THE APPLICATION OF VALUES
1. Advancing the well-being of disadvantaged communities requires actualizing all five values in a balanced way.
2. Within a given social ecology, some values appear at the foreground of our consciousness while others remain in the background. We must move the neglected values to the foreground to attain the necessary balance
3. Within the present social context, the value of social justice remains in the background. By neglecting this value, we reinforce the same unjust state of affairs that disadvantaged many communities in the first place.
4. We must distinguish between ameliorating living conditions within the present social structure and transforming the conditions that create disadvantage
5. We must expand the implementation of values from micro and meso contexts to macro social ecologies
From micro to macro spheresFrom micro to macro spheres
Two Forms of CaringTwo Forms of Caring Proximal caring
– Caring– Compassion– Empathy– Therapy
Distal caring – Justice– Equality – Liberation– Social action
Foundations for a Liberation Foundations for a Liberation PsychologyPsychology
Ecological Level Oppression Resistance and Liberation
Well-Being
Personal Internalized, psychological oppression
Conscientization situates personal struggle in social and political context
Control, choice, self-esteem, competence, political rights, positive identity
Relational “Power over”, domination of or by others
“Power with”, power sharing, egalitarian, solidarity
Positive and supportive relationships, participation
Collective Oppressive social practices and policies
Resistance, social action
Access to valued resources
Foundations for a Liberation PsychologyFoundations for a Liberation PsychologyEcological Spheres
Well being Values Oppression and Social Justice
Praxis
Individual Absence of disorder
Positive subjective well being
Health Unequal distribution of health problems and exposure to risk
Health promotion and prevention
Voice, choice and control
Perceptions of control, self efficacy and mastery
Citizen participation
Self-determination and participation
Empowerment
Disempowerment and internalized oppression
Consciousness raising
Transformation of settings
Foundations for a Liberation Foundations for a Liberation PsychologyPsychology
Ecological Spheres
Well being Values Oppression and Social Justice
Praxis
Relational Positive social relations
Caring and compassion
Social exclusion Informal supports
Positive identity
Pride
Transformation of settings
Elimination of stigma
Diversity Racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and classism
Celebration of strengths and diversity
Confronting racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism and classism
Foundations for a Liberation Foundations for a Liberation PsychologyPsychology
Ecological Spheres
Well being Values Oppression and Social Justice
Praxis
Collective Accessible social programs
Social capital and sense of community
Support for community structures
Barriers to resources
Low social capital
Advocacy for universal services
Community capacity building
Elimination of poverty
Distributive justice Extreme economic inequality
Social change
Investment in human and community economic development
Liberation: Freedom from and Liberation: Freedom from and freedom to……(Erich Fromm)freedom to……(Erich Fromm)
Sites of Well-Being
Individual Relational Organizational Communal Environmental
Objective signs
+health- illness
+networks-isolation
+resources- lack of resources
-social capital-lack of trust
+clean air-pollution
Subjectivesigns
+efficacy-lack of control
+voice-repression
+support-isolation
+belonging-rejection
+safety-fear
Values as source and strategy
+autonomy-lack of power
+caring-neglect
+participation-marginality
+diversity-discrimination
+protection of resources-depletion of resources
Justice as source and strategy
My due/Our due
Your due/Our due
Its due/Our due Their due/Our due
Nature’s due/Our due
APPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS
Therapy and counseling Community programs Social policies Research
Applications in Counseling and TherapyApplications in Counseling and Therapy
Domain Values
Questions
Caring and compassion Does it promote the expression of care, empathy, and concern for the physical and emotional wellbeing of other human being?
Self-determination Does it promote the ability of individuals to pursue their chosen goals without excessive frustration and in consideration of other people’s needs?
Human diversity Does it promote respect and appreciation for diverse social identities?
Participation Does it promote a peaceful, respectful, and equitable process whereby citizens have meaningful input into decisions affecting their lives?
Distributive justice Does it promote the fair and equitable allocation of bargaining powers, resources and obligations in society?
Applications in PoliciesApplications in Policies
Values Policies
Self-determination Devise policies in consultation with community stakeholders
Health Facilitate access to health care services through universal and outreach programs
Personal growth Establish policies for teaching employment skills and for accessible recreational and educational opportunities
Social justice Implement equitable policies and taxation laws that provide adequate resources to the poor
Support for enabling community structures
Promote policies that strengthen high quality basic community services such as education, health and income security
Respect for diversity Promote inclusive work and social policies that do not discriminate on basis of marital status, gender, ability, sexual orientation, class, culture, or any other source of social power
Collaboration and democratic participation
Promote educational policies that teach importance of civic duties and skills required for meaningful participation in democracy
Values in Programs
Self determination: Promote voice and choice of community members in selection and administration of programs Caring and compassion: Establish networks of support and create self-help groups Educational and personal development: Build into programs competency enhancing components for personal, educational and occupational growth Social justice: Offer comprehensive supports that meet the needs for housing and economic security of disadvantaged families Support for the community: Create awareness and support for creation and preservation of effective formal and informal supports Respect for diversity: Consult with diverse groups of stakeholders and develop inclusive and culturally sensitive programs based on partnerships with the community
Values and principles of transformative research
1. Self-determination and participation (empowerment)■ Research should be attuned to issues of power and promote the power of disadvantaged people■ Research begins with the experiences and concerns of disadvantaged people■ Research process is democratized so as to maximize the participation of disadvantaged people in all aspects of the research■ Research uses qualitative methods that give voice to disadvantaged people
2. Community and inclusion■ Research strives to develop authentic and supportive relationships among researchers,disadvantaged people and other stakeholders■ Research should be directed towards the goal of building solidarity for social change
Values and principles of transformative research
3. Social justice and accountability to oppressed groups
■ Research money should be distributed in a way that provides job and trainingopportunities as co-researchers for members of disadvantaged groups■ Research findings should be used for education and/or advocacy to create social change
4. Reflexivity
■ Research should use emergent (or flexible) research designs■ Research should provide an educational component■ Research should be demystified so that knowledge is accessible to all, not just researchers■ Research should involve all stakeholders in the interpretation of findings andrecommendations for change
Roles for Transformative Action Roles for Transformative Action ResearchersResearchers
I VALUE IT Inclusive Host Visionary Asset Seeker Listener Unique Solution Finder Evaluator Implementer Trendsetter
CHALLENGESCHALLENGES
1. Neglect of balance in values
2. Neglect of context
3. Neglect of power differentials
Values out of balanceValues out of balanceToo much Domain of
well-beingToo little
Individualism Personal
Self –determination OppressionRomantic social capital
RelationalSocial support
Isolation, alienation
Personal sacrifice
CollectiveSupport for the
communityCompetition, injustice
Practice out of contextPractice out of contextOn Context…..Stokols says….On Context…..Stokols says….
The healthfulness of a situation and the well-being of its participants are assumed to be influenced by multiple facets of both the physical environment (e.g., geography, architecture, and technology) and the social environment (e.g., culture, economics, and politics). Moreover, the health status of individuals and groups is influenced not only by environmental factors but also by a variety of personal attributes, including genetic heritage, psychological dispositions, and behavioral patterns.
Stokols continues…..Stokols continues…..
Thus, efforts to promote human well-being should be based on an understanding of the dynamic interplay among diverse environmental and personal factors rather than on analyses that focus exclusively on environmental, biological, or behavioral factors. (Stokols, 2000, p. 27)
Seligman says……Seligman says…… Seligman laments that “changing these (external)
circumstances is usually impractical and expensive” (2002, p. 50)
Seligman tells readers that, “even if you could alter all of the external circumstances above, it would not do much for you, since together they probably account for no more than between 8 and 15 percent of the variance in happiness” (Authentic Happiness, 2002, p. 61).
Really?
Positive Psychology FoundationsPositive Psychology Foundations
Genetics – 50%
Volitional factors – 40%
Circumstances – 10%
Quadrants of Well-beingQuadrants of Well-being
Collective
Individual
StrengthDeficits
Quadrant I
Quadrant III
Quadrant IV
Quadrant II
Quadrants of Well-beingQuadrants of Well-being
Collective
Individual
StrengthDeficits
Community empowerment,Recreational opportunities
Reduction ofaggression, Medications
Reduction of crime and inequality
Self Actualization Happiness
Risk of Over-Reach Type IRisk of Over-Reach Type I
Collective
Individual
StrengthDeficits
Self Actualization Happiness
Risk of Over-Reach Type IIRisk of Over-Reach Type II
Collective
Individual
StrengthDeficits
Reduce symptoms,Take pills
Psychologists’ power to promote the status quo. “Before you reply with enthusiasm to our plea for help,
you should consider whether you are not merely engaged as magicians to avoid the crisis in the center of the ring. In considering our motives for offering you a role, I think you would do well to consider how much less expensive it is to hire a thousand psychologists than to make even a miniscule change in the social and economic structure” (judge Bazelon, in the 60s, addressing a group of forensic psychologists).
Stokols Says….Stokols Says…. In those instances where an individual’s cumulative
exposure to environmental risks and deficits is so overwhelming that resilience is impossible to achieve and dispositional helplessness ensues, it may be possible to develop new psychological and community interventions aimed at transforming these negative circumstances into more positive ones…At the same time, it is crucial that disadvantaged persons not be stigmatized or derogated for their inability to cultivate resilience and optimism in the face of overwhelming odds… (Stokols, 2003).
In Contrast, Seligman Says……In Contrast, Seligman Says…… “Changing these (external) circumstances is usually
impractical and expensive” (2002, p. 50) Besides, “even if you could alter all of the external
circumstances above, it would not do much for you, since together they probably account for no more than between 8 and 15 percent of the variance in happiness” (2002, p. 61).
Seligman continues…..Seligman continues…..
The very good news is that there are quite a number of internal circumstances that will likely work for you…which are more under your voluntary control. If you decide to change them…your level of happiness is likely to increase lastingly. (Seligman, 2002, Authentic Happiness: The New Science of Positive Psychology, p. 61)
Seligman Engages in Seligman Engages in Context Minimization ErrorContext Minimization Error
“Tendency to ignore the impact of enduring neighborhood and community contexts on human behavior. The error has adverse consequences for understanding psychological processes and efforts at social change” (Shinn and Toohey, 2003, p. 428).
Context Minimization ErrorContext Minimization Error
“Practitioners “should pay more attention to the community contexts of human behavior. Conditions in neighborhoods and community settings are associated with residents' mental and physical health, opportunities, satisfactions, and commitments.” (Shinn and Toohey, 2003, annual review of psychology).
It’s Like Venice…..It’s Like Venice…..
Venice’s LessonVenice’s Lesson “The psychotherapist, social worker or social reformer,
concerned only with his own clients and their grievance against society, perhaps takes a view comparable to the private citizen of Venice who concerns himself only with the safety of his own dwelling and his own ability to get about the city. But if the entire republic is slowly being submerged, individual citizens cannot afford to ignore their collective fate, because, in the end, they all drown together if nothing is done” (Badcock, 1982)
How Do We Address Power How Do We Address Power Imbalance in the Helping Imbalance in the Helping
Professions?Professions? Values do not exist outside power Realization of well-being depends on power Realization of values depends on power Psychopolitical validity
– Epistemic– Transformational
Psychopolitical ValidityPsychopolitical Validity
Psychopolitical validity derives from the consideration of power dynamics in psychological and political domains of health.
The main objective of psychopolitical validity is to infuse in helping professions an awareness of the role of power in justice and well-being.
Psychopolitical ValidityPsychopolitical Validity
In order to attain psychopolitical validity, investigations and interventions would have to meet certain criteria. These criteria have to do with the extent to which research and action incorporate lessons about psychological and political power.
Psychopolitical Validity I: Epistemic Psychopolitical Validity I: Epistemic
This type of validity is achieved by the systematic account of the role of power in political and psychological dynamics affecting phenomena of interest.
Such account needs to consider the role of power in the psychology and politics of well-being, oppression and liberation, at the personal, relational, and collective domains.
Psychopolitical Validity II: Psychopolitical Validity II: TransformationalTransformational
Transformational validity derives from the potential of our actions to promote personal, relational, and collective wellness by reducing power inequalities and increasing political action
Table 1Guidelines for Epistemic Psychopolitical Validity in Critical Community Psychology
Concerns Domains
Collective Relational Personal
Wellness Accounts for role of political and economic power in economic prosperity and in creation of institutions that promote equality and public health
Studies the role of power in creating and sustaining egalitarian relationships, social cohesion, social support, respect for diversity and democratic participation in communities, groups, and families
Studies role of psychological and political power in achieving self-determination, empowerment, health, personal growth, meaning and spirituality
Oppression Explores role of globalization, colonization and exploitation in illness and suffering of nations and communities
Examines the role of political and psychological power in exclusion and discrimination based on class, gender, age, race, education and ability.Studies conditions leading to lack of support, horizontal violence and fragmentation within oppressed groups
Studies role of powerlessness in learned helplessness, hopelessness, self-deprecation, internalized oppression, shame, physical and mental health problems and addictions
Liberation Deconstructs ideological norms that lead to acquiescence and studies effective psychopolitical factors in resistance to norms that cause illness
Studies acts of solidarity and compassion with others who suffer from oppression and illness
Examines sources of health, strength, resilience, solidarity and development of activism and leadership
Table 2Guidelines for Transformational Psychopolitical Validity
Concerns Domains
Collective Relational Personal
Well-being Contributes to institutions that support health, emancipation, human development, peace, protection of environment, and social justice
Contributes to power equalization in relationships and communities. Enriches awareness of subjective and psychological forces preventing solidarity. Builds trust, connection and participation in groups that support social cohesion, health and social justice
Supports personal empowerment, health, sociopolitical development, leadership training and solidarity. Contributes to personal and social responsibility and awareness of subjective forces preventing commitment to justice and personal depowerment when in position of privilege
Oppression Opposes economic colonialism and denial of cultural rights. Decries and resists role of own reference group or nation in oppression of others and deterioration of health in other groups
Contributes to struggle against in-group and out-group domination and discrimination, sexism and norms of violence. Builds awareness of own prejudice and participation in horizontal violence
Helps to prevent acting out of own oppression on others. Builds awareness of internalized oppression and role of dominant ideology in victim-blaming. Contributes to personal depowerment of people in position of privilege
Liberation Supports networks of resistance and social change movements that pursue health and wellness. Contributes to structural depowerment of privileged people
Supports resistance against objectification of others. Develops processes of mutual accountability
Helps to resists complacency and collusion with exploitative and illness producing system. Contributes to struggle to recover personal health and political identity
Example 1: Miami SPEC projectExample 1: Miami SPEC projectOrganizational conditions leading to transformative Organizational conditions leading to transformative
practice: Findings from a multi-case study, action research practice: Findings from a multi-case study, action research investigationinvestigation
University of Miami SPEC Team– Isaac Prilleltensky– Ora Prilleltensky– Scot Evans– Adrine McKenzie– Debbie Nogueras– Randy Penfield– Corinne Huggins– Nick Mescia
What is transformative practice?What is transformative practice?
In the context of community, educational, health, and human service organizations, we define transformative practice as consisting of four principles– Strengths– Prevention– Empowerment– Community change
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DRAIN VS. SPEC APPROACHESDRAIN VS. SPEC APPROACHES
Drain Approach Deficits-based Reactive Alienating Individualistic Problems Too little Too late Too costly Too unrealistic
SPEC Approach Strengths-based Primary Prevention Empowerment Community change
Opportunity Built to last Starts early and saves $$$ Creates civic engagement Builds social movement
Quadrant IIIExamples:Crisis work, therapy, medications, symptom containment, case management
Quadrant IExamples:Community development, affordable housing policy, recreational opportunities, high quality schools and accessible health services
Quadrant IIExamples:Skill building, emotional literacy, fitness programs, personal improvement plans, resistance to peer pressure in drug and alcohol use
Quadrant IVExamples:Food banks, shelters for homeless people, charities, prison industrial complex
Collective
Proactive
Individual
Reactive
Time and place of interventions
THIS IS WHERE WE ARE
THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TO BE
Quadrant IExamples:Voice and choice in celebrating and building competencies, recognition of personal and collective resilience
Quadrant IIExamples:Voice and choice in deficit reduction approaches, participation in decisions how to treat affective disorders or physical disorders
Strength
Empowerment
Deficit
Detachment
Focus and engagement in interventions
Quadrant IIIExamples:Labeling and diagnosis, “patienthood” and clienthood,” citizens in passive role
Quadrant IVExamples:Just say no! You can do it! Cheerleading approaches, Make nice approaches
THIS IS WHERE WE ARE
THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TO BE
Context of InvestigationContext of Investigation Action research with 5 community based
organizations (CBOs) to promote Strengths, Prevention, Empowerment, Community Change
Three year study consisting of 1. Training2. Team work3. Consultation 4. Professional development5. Action research
Context of InvestigationContext of Investigation Organizations selected on basis of “readiness” Organizations consist of
– Major local funder (MF)– Major provider of health services for poor (HS)– Organization that promotes early interventions (EI)– Local civic coalition (LC)– Local human service (HS)
Budgets range from $ 1 million to over $ 100 million Personnel ranges from 15 to 700
Context of InvestigationContext of Investigation Intervention components
1. Training Each organization sends reps to 18 person class 3 hours biweekly Lecture, discussion, application
2. Team work Transformation teams meet biweekly
3. Consultation A researcher assigned to each organization Weekly or biweekly consultations
4. Professional development5. Action research
Research DesignResearch Design Action Goal of overall project: Promote SPEC practices in
organizations to improve community well-being Research Goals of overall project:
– Assess whether organizations become more aligned with SPEC principles as a result of interventions
– If so, how Data collection
– Quantitative and qualitative methods at baseline, year one, and end of project
Goal of present study: Examine organizational conditions leading to SPEC based on qualitative data gathered through interviews, focus groups, and field notes with about 80 different participants in the five organizations
OUTCOME: SPEC IN THE COMMUNITYStrength based
approachesPreventive approaches
Empowering approaches
Community change approaches
ORGANIZATIONAL CONDITIONSClimate Resources Support Consciousness
INTERVENTIONS TO PROMOTE SPEC
Training T Team Consultation Action Research
Professional Development
Findings: Organizational Conditions Findings: Organizational Conditions for Transformative Practicefor Transformative Practice
Organizational Conditions for Organizational Conditions for Transformative PracticeTransformative Practice
ClimateClimate Effective
– Enabling structures; good communication; timely completion of tasks; efficiency; accountability and follow-through, etc.
– Most of the organizations noted at least some deficiency in this domain, including duplication of efforts; inconsistent policies; and bureaucracy
Reflective– Learning opportunities; organizational learning; asking “big questions”; challenging old
notions; evaluating practice, etc.– Organizations vary on this dimension, with some presenting as highly reflective and others
describing an environment where there is insufficient trust to challenge old notions and practices. (“you ain’t gonna rock the boat.”)
Affirmative– Climate of acceptance and appreciation; employee strengths are highlighted and utilized;
voice and choice; sense of control; team work and conviviality– Distinction made between voice and choice in a number of organizations where
empowerment is espoused as an organizational value, but not always practiced well.– In other organizations, staff empowerment is not even part of the organizational radar.
ResourcesResources Human
– Adequate number of workers to meet demands; high skill level; capacity; dedication; motivation; initiative– Largely described workers as caring, conscientious and committed to meeting the needs of their constituents– Variable level of skill across organizations– Concern in some organizations that people are spread too thin due to a broad, overly ambitious mission
Financial– Adequate financial resources to support positions; programs; etc.– A major barrier for most organizations in the current economic climate– Cuts in positions and lack of job security are a source of strain – For funding organizations, ongoing concern to make sure investments provide good return
Organizational– Appropriate organizational structures to meet vision and mission; adequate time, space, etc.– Most organizations described as committed to vision and mission– Some noted that rapid and poorly communicated policy changes lead to inconsistent practices and poor PR with
other agencies– In one case, solicitation of input from “boots on the ground” was seen as a necessary condition for improved
buy-in to vision and mission
Support and LegitimacySupport and Legitimacy Leadership for SPEC
– Leadership provides legitimacy and support to SPEC principles and practices; leader(s)“walk the talk” in their support of the vision and mission of the organization
– Organizations whose leaders are involved in all aspects of the SPEC training (class, T-Team, etc.) experience greater legitimacy and support for SPEC practices and principles
– Lower level of leaders involvement is associated with fewer SPEC practices Board support and legitimacy for SPEC
– Board of Directors provides legitimacy and support to SPEC principles and practices ; board members“ walk the talk” in their support of the vision and mission of the organization
– Some describe difficulties in dealing with board members who come from a corporate background and unfamiliar with nonprofit
– Some board members advocate for special interest groups Funder support for SPEC
– Funders provide legitimacy and support to SPEC principles and practices; funders “walk the talk” in their support of the vision and mission of the organization
– Some indication that funders may not always walk the talk, despite the theoretical support of SPEC; some feel micromanaged by funders
ConsciousnessConsciousness Justice
– Organization espouses a justice orientation; considers issues of fairness and justice in understanding community problems and devising solutions
– Large variation between organizations. For some, themes of “economic justice” and “social justice” are espoused and central to the organizational mission. For others, justice is described as enabling access to services, regardless of client background, legal status, etc.
Power– Organization is highly aware of power issues in the community; sensitive to how differences in
power affect voice, choice and wellbeing; considers power issues when understanding problems and devising solutions
– Awareness and sensitivity to power issues in the community are at times inconsistent with internal practices with employees.
Ecology– Organization espouses an ecological orientation; considers personal, organization, and systemic
factors in understanding problems and devising solutions– A shared understanding that social and economic conditions are at the root of people’s struggles
does not always translate to more systemic organizational practices
Example 2: New SPECsExample 2: New SPECs Three-year Three-year action research project in South East mid-size Cityaction research project in South East mid-size City
Nazaret Center
MLKCenter
Healthy City
Island Center
John Snow Foundation
New New SSPPEECCs Projects ProjectCenter for Community StudiesCenter for Community Studies
Vanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt University
Vanderbilt New SPECs TeamKimberly Bess, Patricia ConwayScot Evans, Carrie Hanlin, Diana McCown, Bob Newbrough, Doug Perkins, Isaac Prilleltensky
Goals of New SPECsGoals of New SPECs Apply community psychology principles to
organizational change for community well-being Generate new practical knowledge for organizations
and the field Develop practices in line with SPEC Develop policies in line with SPEC Institutionalize SPEC in the life of the organization
and the community
Principles of New SPECsPrinciples of New SPECs Ownership by workers and community
members Participation of workers and community
members Power sharing Home grown solutions Practice and reflection Action research
Structure of New SPECsStructure of New SPECs Structures within organizations
– T-Team– Councils– Affiliation groups– Forums– Workshops– Task Forces
Structures across the project– Coordinating Committee
Structures within our own Team– Business meetings– Reflection meetings– Retreats
SPEC INTERNAL AND EXTERNALSPEC INTERNAL AND EXTERNALChild and Family
Organizations Community
Strengths
Prevention
Empowerment
Community Change
Summary of Outcomes for Nashville Summary of Outcomes for Nashville New SPECs Project New SPECs Project
New mission statements Research publications Tools to measure SPEC New policies at United Way New outreach programs More youth and client involvement Assessment of projects in light of SPEC More prevention efforts in organizations Empowered counselors Blending of therapy with social change
In every act, in every interaction, in every social action,
we hold each other accountable to promote
People’s dignity, safety, hope and growthRelationships based on caring, compassion and respect
Societies based on justice, communion and equality
We are all better when these values are in balance To put these values into action, we will:
Share our powerBe proactive and not just reactive
Transform the conditions that create problems for youthEncourage youth and families to promote a caring
communityNurture visions that make the impossible, possible
We commit to uphold these values withYouth and their Families
Our EmployeesOur OrganizationOur Community
This is a living document. We invite you to discuss it, to critique it, to live it