The Formula for Maintaining a Positive Morale During Change

Level: Advanced Practice – Line Worker

Credits: 6

Intended Audience: Line workers interested in learning techniques for helping themselves/children and client families to effectively handle change in healthy ways

Description of Course: Change is one of the only constants within the field of child welfare, and individuals approach or avoid change for a variety of reasons in a variety of ways. In order for staff to continue to be competent and motivated in the services that they provide to clients, they need to hold themselves and each other accountable for sustaining a positive morale. This workshop reviews the challenges and benefits of organizational change and reviews basic tools for being successful in going through change, including the impact of differences of culture, perspective and templates. Built-in throughout the day are opportunities to be appreciated and acknowledged for the choices that workers make by continuing to help others. The course concludes with a specific transfer-of-learning plan for the participant, which involves his/her supervisor, colleagues and staff. The processes used in this workshop are approximately 25% lecture & large group discussions, 25% skills practice, 35% small group discussion & activity, 15% individual reflection & assessment.

Intended Objectives:

• Understand the common responses to change
• Identify the sources of biases and the impact on services if biases aren’t conscious
• Understand and value the need for maintaining an assertive communication approach
• Examine the external & internal challenges & supports encountered when dealing with change, including the ways in which cultural identity can impact one’s process
• Identify strategies, resources and supports that can be used and accessed to maintain a positive morale during change
• Acknowledge and accept individual differences in the work place
• Discuss the psychological and physical benefits of accentuating the positive during change
• Explore specific personal actions and interventions that are necessary to sustain positive morale
• Value the importance of affirming one’s effectiveness as a human service professional

Topics Include:

• Templates or “biases” which could affect work
• Accepting responsibility for one’s career choice
• Acknowledging individual differences
• Maintaining an Assertive approach
• Control of one’s attitude
• Managing one’s affect
• Allowing empathy
• Accentuating the positive
• Affirming one’s effectiveness