Enhanced Strengths/Needs Based Practice

Trainer Guide Reference #6

Enhanced Strengths/Needs Based Practice

Affectively Assessing Behaviors to Meet the

Unmet Needs of Children and Families

Ice Breaker Activity

This introduction activity will allow participants to introduce themselves to one another and begin the process of making the connection between behaviors and underlying needs.

·  Create matching cards from the list below with a behavior and an underlying need. (There are ten matches so if you have a large group create duplicate matches using different color index cards.)

·  Pass the cards out to the participants

·  Participants have to find their match:

o  Introduce themselves to each other

o  Discuss how their behavior and need connect.

o  Prepare to share with larger group.

·  Ask for volunteers to share why their behavior matches their need

**Note that there can be several needs which could be linked to the behaviors. Individual assessments are critical and we will continue to explore this throughout the training.

BEHAVIORS / UNDERLYING NEEDS
I am depressed and don’t always take my medication. / I need to understand my past losses and why they make me depressed.
Me and my brothers don’t always eat. / We need to eat at least two nutritious meals every day
My parents argue and fight and hurt each other. / I need positive role models that show me healthy ways to handle conflict.
Getting high feels good because it helps me forget my problems. / I need to understand my problems.
I cry a lot and can’t concentrate because I worry about my family. / I need to know my family is safe.
She makes me so angry and sometimes I hurt her. / I need to understand why I become so angry.
I act really badly at school by yelling at the teachers. / I need to feel confident in my abilities at school.
I run away from placements all the time because no one listens to me or what I want. / I need to be a part of the decisions involving my future.
I hear him going into her room at night but I just freeze and don’t know what to do. / I need to understand why I am unable to protect my child.
I hate myself and I break things when I feel bad. / I need to feel valued and loved.

ESNBP: Effectively Assessing Behaviors to Meet the Unmet Needs of Children and Families

University of California Los Angeles -Center on Child Welfare

June 2010