Key Principles and Values

COTS’ KEY PRINCIPLES AND VALUES

In 2002, we asked ourselves this: how much more could we accomplish in years to come, if only we had the time and resources to undertake a focused, professional evaluation of motivations, processes, and measurements, to enable us to move to a higher level of effectiveness? And how much more effective could other agencies become, if we were able to share with them what we learn in this evaluation?

A dear friend of COTS, a major donor, provided us with substantial funding for our program development, evaluation, training and export ("PDETE") project. We did an in-depth review of 30 "best practices" for helping rebuild shattered lives and refined that, applying our own wisdom.

We have had wonderful results, and amazing successes because of this project, and freely share what we have learned. Representatives from agencies in Cleveland, Albany, Boise and Sacramento have traveled to COTS to learn more about our cutting edge, cost-effective approach to helping people who are homeless.

The material below is a summary of what we learned, and decided to do, as a result of our PDETE project. It is gratifying many years later to review and to see that we have accomplished what we set out to do.

Meet Basic Needs

Principles and values

If our basic needs for food, shelter, warmth, clothing, transportation and safety have been met, it is more likely that we will be able to make positive choices and to rebuild our lives.
We will meet our clients where they are.

Some things we'll do

We provide immediate and continuing assistance in meeting these basic needs.
We expect clients to do all that they can to provide these things for themselves.
We expect clients to help maintain the environments in which these needs are met.
We will provide culturally and linguistically competent service

Toolkit

Shelter
Food
Guidance and Support
Principles and values
- Guidance and support can help people to access their innate wisdom, and foster their resilience
- People who are in the throes of addiction are not good candidates for the transformative elements of our programs

Addiction impacts our clients in a way that is extremely challenging to work with. There can be times when the addiction is, in effect, making the decisions for the person. We are unrealistic if we expect a person in the throes of addiction to make decisions, and to behave, in what we would regard as a normal, rational way with the priorities that we think are appropriate (for instance, to put the needs of their children first). Because decision-making by our clients is so important in our program, we must work with clients who are capable of making decisions. This means that people who are in the throes of addiction are not good candidates for the transformative elements of our programs, although if their behavior can be managed, they can participate at some level.

Part of our job is to help clients accept reality.

Some things we do

Help clients to realize that old coping skills often cause present problems, and help them to develop new coping skills
- Many of our clients' present problems are caused by coping skills developed some time ago-- at one time, these coping skills were responses to problems and challenges. Examples would be lying, stealing, and abusive means of disciplining children. Because the coping skills have been useful, and may continue to be useful, they may be hard to part with. One of our challenges is showing the clients how and why to develop coping skills that are more useful in the mileu into which they are moving. In other words, coping skills that work on the street often are counterproductive in other environments, and may prevent success in other environments. Lack of coping skills for the new environment, plus comfort with the old skills, is a big obstacle to transformation. We can address this by helping the clients to identify their coping skills, and to examine the consequences of use of these skills. Group work and one on ones can be helpful for this. Too, if we can help them to see the benefits of and to want a new mileu, and the way former coping skills limit this transition, plus show them new coping skills ("Success Skills"), this will help the transition.
Provide case management
Provide professional counseling as needed for mental health, substance and legal issues
We provide assessments and testing to help clients to understand their learning styles and other characteristics.
We give clients honest feedback, at the appropriate time, about the consequences of their choices.

Toolkit

Peer Coaching - Input and guidance from peers

Input from peers on specific behaviors and consequences as a means for increasing feedback and encouraging trying out new ideas. Using more experienced peers, clients and staff members, to mentor each other in one-on-one and group settings.

Resiliency - Tapping the innate resilience and capacity all individuals possess

Resiliency shifts the focus of programs from one of “risk, deficit, and pathology” to one of examining the strengths that can be brought to bear in promoting healing and health (individual, familial, and communal). As an overall program element, this approach encourages the staff to seek out the positive instead of viewing a client as “broken and in need of repair.” Program elements include caring relationships, high expectation messages and opportunities for meaningful participation and contribution. The focus is on strengths, competencies and successes. During mentoring or counseling sessions, the focus would always be on strengths.

Adult Education - Fostering adult education through an understanding of why and how adults learn

Adult education principles would be employed whenever we develop and implement training programs for clients designed to help them to find better employment, create better relationships and, ultimately, find permanent housing. Some of the principles are:

—Adults have a wealth of experience and want others to be aware of that experience. A competent trainer uses participant experience in the classroom.
—The key “Adult Laws of Learning” include frequency, effect, association, readiness, recency, intensity and primacy.
— Creative training techniques applied to make the learning participatory
— Other key principles are imbedded in the concepts of structured learning, questioning, motivation and learning style inventory.
— Some of the principles could be used in any given counseling or mentoring situation. When explaining something new to someone, the adult law of association applies. Associate the new concept or idea to something the person already knows.

Healing Words - Focused intention
Focused intention, of which prayer is an example, has been demonstrated to be able to improve health outcomes. If it can, for instance, improve the rate of survival of individuals who have had heart attacks, it should be able to support individuals in rebuilding their lives.
Life skills, Self-care and Personal Development

Principles and values

Clients can manage their lives more effectively and improve themselves, with assistance.

Some things we'll offer

Money management
Higher and vocational education
Job skills

Toolkit

Awareness practices to support decision making
We are unaware of most of our thoughts, and consequently often don't really participate in our "decisions" (if we can call semi-conscious tropisms "decisions"). Practices that cultivate awareness (for example, use of a mantra, constantly repeated affirmations, breath observation, being aware of the subjective reality-construction process per Health Realization) help us to be aware of our inner processes and to actually make decisions rather than to sleepwalk.
Mantras and Affirmations - Fostering relaxation, self-esteem, and success. A mantram is a powerful spiritual formula which, when repeated silently in the mind, has the capacity to transform consciousness. The concept follows:
Mental repetition on one or more syllable calms the mind. The material mentally repeated can be uplifting and strengthening because of its content. (Every day I’m getting better and better.)
It’s challenging to remember to do the mental repetition and to actually choose to do it. This gives practice in making decisions, the first decision being to participate in the mental repetition. As a result of the positive thoughts, the mind is formed and remolded. Mantras could be used in teaching positive reinforcement to clients during counseling sessions.
Somatic practices
Mind is embodied. Hence, somatic practices are useful to affect how the mind (cognition and emotions) work.
Such practices can increase stability and facilitate transformation. Dance, yoga, calisthenics, and martial arts are examples of such practices; some practices are designed to produce specific kinds of results. Somatic practices can be particularly useful because they don't trigger the defenses we have to verbal interaction.

Empowerment

Principles and values

We all have an inner health and wholeness, with great strength and wisdom.
We all tell ourselves stories about what the events in our lives mean. We could call this the story of our lives. This interpretative narrative can be limiting or empowering; it shapes our self-view, goals and decisions.
We expect clients to give of themselves, to help each other and staff, and make room for this to happen.
We help our clients to empower themselves by taking responsibility for the life choices they make for themselves and their families.

Some things we'll do

We help our clients to keep a sense of humor and not to take themselves too seriously.
Work with explicatory narrative.
We recognize adversity is part of human life. The challenges brought by adversity are the fabric of life. Each obstacle, each challenge, is an opportunity. We grow when we embrace challenge.
We help our clients to discuss the adversity they have faced and are facing.
We use peer discussions and presentations from former clients to demonstrate how to work with adversity.
We show our clients how others have faced similar adversity and grown thereby.
We help our clients to recover from adversity by evaluating the way they look at their life choices - focusing on their strengths and resiliency, their ability to survive, and developing an empowering interpretative narrative that can result in changes in present behavior and self-image.
We help clients to make the decision to change their lives, and support them in living this change.
We support clients by focusing on their innate strengths and talents and the positive choices they have already made and can continue to make.
We help our clients to empower themselves by taking responsibility for the life choices they make for themselves and their families.
We use listening to empower to help clients to find their own way, to the extent possible.
We support clients in supporting each other, both individually and in groups.
We help clients to decide for themselves what is best for them.
We demonstrate with our words, actions and programs that no matter who we are, no matter what we do, we absolutely, positively do have the power to change.
We reserve the right to disagree with our clients' decisions, and not to support them if they conflict with our own values.
We foster resilience.

Toolkit

Twelve Steps - Pathway to self-empowerment through 12 sequential steps. The steps guide members out of destructive behavior into healthy, constructive behavior. Each step can stand on its own as a toolkit item; or, all twelve steps can be used as a program. The steps are:

— Name the problem.
— Identify what, why and how this is a problem.
— Identify the feelings involved.
— Look at how your own behav ior contributes to the problem.
— Identify patterns of behavior.
— Take responsibility for your behavior.
— Develop a plan of action to change current patterns (can possibly be combined with Body for Life)
— Implement plan of action.
— Concentrate on your progress and how you are moving away from the problem in your life.
— Be supportive of others.

Choice and Commitment - Taking control of one’s life by making decisions and sticking to them. Making the decision to change, setting goals and the use of a “success coach” are the key components of the program. Articulating decisions and the reasons for making them harness the power to make something happen. The toolkit item is the battery of questions that lead to an explication of the reasons for making good decisions and the decision itself. The questions are:

— What are your reasons for making the decision to change?
— When you look at yourself, do you honestly like what you see?
— How do you feel deep down inside?
— How do you really feel about yourself?
— Are you confident, energetic and strong?
— Do you often wonder if you’re on the right path?
— What are the pros and cons of continuing in the direction you’re going?
— Would you like to create a brighter future?

Telling Our Stories - Explicatory Narrative.

— The stories we tell ourselves about what the events in our lives mean. We could call this the story of our lives. This interpretative narrative can be limiting or empowering; it shapes our self-view, goals and decisions.

Connection

Principles and values

Relationships are the key to our work
In our relationships with clients, we show them that we believe in them, and support them in finding hope for a better life.

Some things we'll do

We build and maintain healthy relationships among staff, volunteers and clients.
We help clients develop relationships with volunteers such as mentors.
We help clients to build and maintain healthy relationships with their families.
We encourage clients to participate in environments where they can develop new, supportive relationships.

Toolkit

Listening to Empower - Structured conversation that guides a person to make choices through the concept of "active listening." This technique serves as a practical roadmap for a Peer Coaching / Peer Counseling interaction. The tool assumes that the person being assisted is resilient and is capable of discovering the “right direction” with guidance. This method could be used in individual session or in workshops. The three main components are:
Explore: asking questions to draw more information from the speaker from his/her point of view, helping the person to go deeper or to expand on their thoughts.
Transition: stating the problem, stating the goal, asking what has been thought of or done before and reflecting on all responses to demonstrate understanding.
Resolve: asking if the person wants ideas, offering one idea at a time, checking for a reaction, reflecting on the reaction and summarizing next steps.
Peer Coaching - Input and guidance from peers
- Input from peers on specific behaviors and consequences as a means for increasing feedback and encouraging trying out new ideas. Using more experienced peers, clients and staff members, to mentor each other in one-on-one and group settings.

Modeling

Principles and values

Clients listen to and watch everything we do. Credibility with clients results from living the values we profess.

Some things we'll do

We set an example with our own behavior.
We strive to be consistent with clients. We treat everyone with fairness.
Staff members are impeccable with our word.

Toolkit

The Four Agreements - A code of conduct for everybody
Keeping your word and doing your best; not taking things personally and not making assumptions. The Agreements are a code of conduct for everybody and would be exemplified by the staff. Workshops could be conducted for the clients on each one of the agreements. As mentioned, the Opportunity Center staff has adopted the agreements for their own personal code of conduct.

Nurturing and Boundaries

Principles and values

We do best when we know that we are respected and loved, and that there are boundaries and limits on the way we behave.

Some things we'll do

We educate our clients about their role as citizens in our community, with both rights and responsibilities.
We listen to our clients in a way that shows our genuine caring and empowers them.
We clearly communicate our expectations and rules of conduct.
We are punctual, reliable, consistent and fair.
We treat our clients politely and with respect at all times.
We maintain "Rules of Decorum." Our rules mirror social conventions.
We hold clients accountable for their decisions and behavior.

Toolkit

Listening to Empower - Structured conversation that guides a person to make choices through the concept of "active listening." This technique serves as a practical road map for a Peer Coaching / Peer Counseling interaction. The tool assumes that the person being assisted is resilient and is capable of discovering the “right direction” with guidance. This method could be used in individual session or in workshops. The three main components are:
Explore: asking questions to draw more information from the speaker from his/her point of view, helping the person to go deeper or to expand on their thoughts.
Transition: stating the problem, stating the goal, asking what has been thought of or done before and reflecting on all responses to demonstrate understanding.
Resolve: asking if the person wants ideas, offering one idea at a time, checking for a reaction, reflecting on the reaction and summarizing next steps.
Success Coaching/Mentoring - Solid and practical support. A structured personal relationship between two individuals that facilitates learning and change. An experienced and empathetic person is paired with someone who needs help in one or several areas. This is a core element of the Rent Right program.
From Body for Life: "What if I promised to be your "Success Coach" for every step of the process, helping discover your true potential, helping you stay on track, helping you avoid setbacks, and basically doing anything and everything I can to help you achieve your objective...?"
Case Management - Trained help in finding and using resources; goal setting and feedback
Peer Coaching - from peers on specific behaviors and consequences as a means for increasing feedback and encouraging trying out new ideas. Using more experienced peers, clients and staff members, to mentor each other in one-on-one and group settings.

Motivation and Perseverance

Principles and values

We must make hope rational, and support clients in overcoming obstacles that often seem insurmountable but which can be overcome

Some things we'll do

In adult program, we will intentionally work with and use any relationships with clients' children to help client to have a reason to rebuild.
In family program, we will continue to emphasize what is good for the children in the short and in the long run as a guiding principle for decision making for all concerned.
Set high expectations for ourselves and for others.
Help clients to find hope for a better life, and develop and maintain a culture of hopefulness and optimism.
Explain to clients COTS' view of human nature, and our great power and potential--the COTS explicatory narrative.

Toolkit

Success Journal - Recording progress against goals on a daily basis. A framework for maintaining the focus, dedication and discipline required to make significant, sustainable progress in key areas of one’s life. Particularly powerful when shared with a “success coach” or mentor. This is a Body for Life-originated tool.
Success Coaching/Mentoring - Solid and practical support. A structured personal relationship between two individuals that facilitates learning and change. An experienced and empathetic person is paired with someone who needs help in one or several areas. This is a core element of the Rent Right program.
From Body for Life: "What if I promised to be your "Success Coach" for every step of the process, helping discover your true potential, helping you stay on track, helping you avoid setbacks, and basically doing anything and everything I can to help you achieve your objective...?"

Income

Principles and values

Most clients need more income to succeed in their goals

Some areas we'll help clients to explore:

SSI
Unemployment
Workers Comp
Employment
- Removing 'badges of homelessness' can help. There are some "badges of homelessness" that may limit people's ability to change their situation. These include conspicuously bad teeth and some tattooing. We should help willing clients to remedy these things early.
Disability
Child support

Toolkit

Work Right helps people to make the most of what they already have in the employment market
Success Coaching/Mentoring - Solid and practical support. A structured personal relationship between two individuals that facilitates learning and change. An experienced and empathetic person is paired with someone who needs help in one or several areas. This is a core element of the Rent Right program. From Body for Life: "What if I promised to be your "Success Coach" for every step of the process, helping discover your true potential, helping you stay on track, helping you avoid setbacks, and basically doing anything and everything I can to help you achieve your objective...?"
Case Management - Trained help in finding and using resources; goal setting and feedback
Peer Coaching - Input and guidance from peers. Input from peers on specific behaviors and consequences as a means for increasing feedback and encouraging trying out new ideas. Using more experienced peers, clients and staff members, to mentor each other in one-on-one and group settings.

Housing

Principles and values

Independent housing is the ultimate goal for our clients.

Some things we'll do

Virtually all of the key program elements support clients' re-entry into independent housing

Toolkit

Rent Right provides a systematic and effective assist into independent housing
Success Journal - Recording progress against goals on a daily basis. A framework for maintaining the focus, dedication and discipline required to make significant, sustainable progress in key areas of one’s life. Particularly powerful when shared with a “success coach” or mentor. This is a Body for Life-originated tool.
Choice and Commitment: Decision-Making (Body for Life) - Taking control of one’s life by making decisions and sticking to them. Making the decision to change, setting goals and the use of a “success coach” are the key components of the program. Articulating decisions and the reasons for making them harness the power to make something happen. The toolkit item is the battery of questions that lead to an explication of the reasons for making good decisions and the decision itself. The questions are:

Success Coaching/Mentoring - Solid and practical support
A structured personal relationship between two individuals that facilitates learning and change. An experienced and empathetic person is paired with someone who needs help in one or several areas. This is a core element of the Rent Right program.
From Body for Life: "What if I promised to be your "Success Coach" for every step of the process, helping discover your true potential, helping you stay on track, helping you avoid setbacks, and basically doing anything and everything I can to help you achieve your objective...?"
Listening to Empower - Structured conversation that guides a person to make choices through the concept of "active listening." This technique serves as a practical roadmap for a Peer Coaching / Peer Counseling interaction. The tool assumes that the person being assisted is resilient and is capable of discovering the “right direction” with guidance. This method could be used in individual session or in workshops. The three main components are:

— Explore: asking questions to draw more information from the speaker from his/her point of view, helping the person to go deeper or to expand on their thoughts.
— Transition: stating the problem, stating the goal, asking what has been thought of or done before and reflecting on all responses to demonstrate understanding.
— Resolve: asking if the person wants ideas, offering one idea at a time, checking for a reaction, reflecting on the reaction and summarizing next steps.

Adult Education - Fostering adult education through an understanding of why and how adults learn. Adult education principles would be employed whenever we develop and implement training programs for clients designed to help them to find better employment, create better relationships and, ultimately, find permanent housing. Some of the principles are:

— Adults have a wealth of experience and want others to be aware of that experience. A competent trainer uses participant experience in the classroom.
— The key “Adult Laws of Learning” include frequency, effect, association, readiness, recency, intensity and primacy.
— Creative training techniques applied to make the learning participatory
— Other key principles are imbedded in the concepts of structured learning, questioning, motivation and learning style inventory.
— Some of the principles could be used in any given counseling or mentoring situation. When explaining something new to someone, the adult law of association applies. Associate the new concept or idea to something the person already knows.

Peer Coaching - Input and guidance from peers. Input from peers on specific behaviors and consequences as a means for increasing feedback and encouraging trying out new ideas. Using more experienced peers, clients and staff members, to mentor each other in one-on-one and group settings.