Activity 3-2:
Achieving the Family's Goals



Purpose: To apply a six-step approach toward family goal achievement.

Preparation:For this activity you will need:
  1. (a) Initiate the activity. Post a sheet of newsprint on the wall and distribute handout 2. Have participants read the handout. Explain that this is the only information available about the Greene family. Recording answers on newsprint, ask participants the following question:

    • What goals might the Greene's identify?

    Trainer Preparation Note: Participants may identify the Greene family goals as: moving to a larger home, job training, parenting classes, counseling for Ellen, treating Wesley's asthma, having Mr. Greene quit smoking, etc. 
     
    (b) Once the group has finished listing the Greene family's goals, ask:
    "How many of you believe the first goal on our list should be the family's number-one priority?" Have participants vote for the identified goal through a show of hands. Repeat the process for each goal listed. Record the voting results.

  2. Explain the role of Head Start in goal setting. Use the following remarks as a guide:

    "This exercise was intended to help you clarify your role in family goal setting. As you can see, the Greene's have numerous goals and we could not agree on the number-one priority. This is because we are not a member of the Greene family. Our role is not to set nor establish priorities for the family's goals; rather, our role is to facilitate these processes. Regardless of our personal views, it is the family's right to identify its goals and priorities. Head Start staff, however, can be instrumental in the family's identification and achievement of goals."

    "We work to help families improve the quality of their lives. To this end, we need to be able to provide the kinds of information and to ask the kinds of questions that will guide the family in making the best possible decisions. Our role is to help families set and achieve their goals."

  3. a) Outline a six-step approach for achieving family goals. Explain that once the family's goals for the future are identified, staff should encourage parents to make them a reality. Include the following points in the presentation:


    • Head Start families vary with regard to their need or readiness for staff involvement in achieving family goals.

    • Families have the right to decide when and how they want Head Start involved in their pursuit of family goals.

    • It is important to remember that one approach will not work for every family. Therefore, staff must individualize their efforts with families, allowing for differences among families in their goals and approaches for achieving them. Any approach used should address not only the family's goals, but also its strategies, responsibilities, and timetables.

    (b) Distribute handout 3. Review with participants a six-step approach for achieving family goals, as presented in handout 3 and the module's background information. Emphasize that this approach provides staff with a process for working with families, other Head Start staff, and community partners to help families achieve their goals.
     
    Trainer Preparation Note: Remind participants that staff cannot achieve the family's goals. Rather, the role of staff is to facilitate the process and to help the family connect with available resources and supports. 

     
  4. (a) Introduce a role play exercise. Ask participants to take a few moments to review the information previously presented on the Greene family (handout 2). Next, divide the participants into small groups, each comprised of eight to ten members, to role play a visit with the Greene family. Have groups appoint a facilitator.
     
    Trainer Preparation Note: For each group, make name tags identifying Ms. Roxy White, Mr. Jon Greene, Mrs. Tania Greene, Wesley Nash, and Ellen Greene. Using Handout 4, copy and cut role play scripts for each group. 

     
    (b) Distribute to each facilitator one copy of handout 4, copies of handouts 5 and 6, role play name tags, and role play scripts. Instruct facilitators to go over the directions with their groups. Note that the groups may find handouts 5 and 6 useful. Tell the groups to begin work.

  5. Call time in 45 minutes and debrief the role play. Ask each group to share its reactions and key points of discussion. If necessary, use handout 6 to spur discussion. Process the activity by discussing the following questions with the large group:

    • What feelings or reactions did you have during the role play?

    • How are the plans of each group similar? Different? Why?

    • How would you follow up with this family and review its progress toward achieving its goal?

    • What suggestions do you have for revising the six-step approach to make it more appropriate for the families you work with?

  6. Close the activity. Remind participants that once the family's goals for the future are identified, staff should encourage parents to make their goals a reality. Reinforce that Head Start families vary with regard to their need or readiness for staff involvement in achieving family goals and that there is no one way to help families attain their goals.



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