INTEGRAL THEORY

 

Integral theory guides COTS’ use of a substantial body of research, including a large-scale study on the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and adult health and well-being conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Kaiser Permanente.

 

The ACE Study demonstrates a compelling relationship between childhood trauma and adult risk behaviors. Other research also implicates ACEs as a root cause of serious social problems such as homelessness and criminal behavior.  Integral theory supports integration of the ACE research with research on resiliency, which explains why some people bounce back from adversity, trauma and tragedy.

Useful in understanding ACE findings and fashioning comprehensive response, Integral theory is utilized to design and implement a comprehensive array of programs that integrate ACE understanding with knowledge in resilience and recovery. Integral theory points out that individual functional capacity emerges across distinct developmental lines, together contributing to a person’s general altitude or overall stage of development. ACEs, subsequent substance abuse, and other health risk behaviors can hinder a person’s ability to resolve one stage of development and move on to the next.

Many COTS supporters believe that COTS’ documented success in breaking the cycle of homelessness stems from the application of Integral theory and consciousness to COTS’ organization and program development. COTS may well be the largest and most successful nonprofit organization rooted in Integral principles, with an annual budget of $2.5 million, 45 employees, and 50,000 volunteer hours annually.

At COTS, Integral theory helps identify the impact of trauma on individual development, as well as people’s unique strengths, and informs COTS’ work to help homeless people people resolve developmental obstacles and move forward in their lives. While staff describe ACEs as fundamental to everything going on in the lives of homeless people, Integral theory is considered key to the response strategy.

Integral theory enables staff to view each COTS client as a unique, whole individual. This understanding guides the processes of assessment, programming, and ongoing service.  “You’ve got to have the whole philosophical and intellectual theoretical framework – otherwise, your programmatic components will not address the whole person,” one staff member observed.

Resiliency research reveals that individual and community qualities work together to empower a person to move forward in life with a sense of capability, mastery, and expectation. This research indicates that a person’s resiliency is fostered and strengthened when she or he is given:

• a personal connection with someone who believes in him/her
• a sense that others have high expectations of him/her
• opportunities to make choices.

Collectives can support and mobilize resiliency, which makes recovery possible. Emerging from hope, and supported by peers, communities, and the larger society, the recovery process involves healing and a new sense of self, attitude, values, and goals.

COTS responds to ACEs and supports resiliency through Integrally designed programs geared to break the cycle of homelessness. ACEs are not accepted as an excuse to justify anti-social behavior or poor life outcomes, but rather are explicitly recognized in a way that helps clients understand their suffering and chronic bad experiences. Resiliency support helps clients to successfully rebuild their lives.

Integral theory has guided the development of a compassionate culture with social networks that mobilize resiliency, supporting recovery and transformation of individual lives. Policies and procedures (LR), as well as the interaction of staff culture with client culture (LL), have helped to develop a cohort of people with reasonably good attitudes (UL) and habits (UR), which research demonstrates are “contagious.” Residents graduate through program stages, and those farther along offer mentoring to new client members, building the community. 

Additionally, the developmental stages of clients, staff and supporters are taken into account. This interesting mix of amber, green and orange is well-served by an Integral approach.

Personal development is part of the culture at COTS -- COTS staff are aware of being on their own growth track. COTS’ management strives to set the example for a compassionate culture characterized by love, integrity, and respect. The culture created at COTS extends into the community, and people often think of COTS when they want to provide service, creating a strong volunteer base within the community. COTS staff and clients provide service within the community, and community volunteers are integral to COTS programming.

Each COTS program addresses the effects of specific ACEs on adult clients, and builds on clients’ desires to avoid creating a new cycle of ACEs for their children.  Kids First, support groups, case management, anger management, and the Four Agreements Seminars are all examples of COTS programs that have been impacted by ACE research.

COTS’ success attained national recognition with an article published in The Sun magazine in September, 2008. Executive teams from shelters in Cleveland, Ohio, Albany, New York and Boise, Idaho have traveled to California to learn the COTS approach first-hand. COTS has also received model practices awards from United Way and the Van Loben Sels Foundation.

At this writing, family homelessness is rapidly increasing, with the dismaying result that more children will be at risk for adverse childhood experiences and their negative later life outcomes, contributing to the vicious cycle of homelessness that COTS is committed to breaking.  COTS’ high-impact, demonstrably successful Integral approach is implemented in a cost-effective manner through community involvement, relationship-building and advocacy, and a strong volunteer network.  This approach is worthy of replication in other communities and other organizations and institutions that engage with populations impacted by ACEs, such as prison inmates.