McKinley Children's Center

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Group Center Leadership (GCL)

Synopsis:

Group Centered Leadership (GCL) is a model designed to set forth standards that allow group members to share in the responsibility of decision-making, while influencing positive behaviors based on the group norms. This model, in large part, is founded on the reference group theory. According to this theory, each of us belongs to reference groups, which is used as a resource for getting our needs met.

In group care, the members are the clients we work with. The reference group is comprised of peers (clients) and adults (staff) who are the source of recognition, a sense of belonging, self-esteem, etc. Since the influence of the peers is normally exaggerated in pre-adolescence, it is an extremely important ingredient. The entire reference group (clients and staff) provides a resource for decision-making and exerts an influence on Group Member "status" (and therefore privileges).

Overall, both clients and staff within the living unit benefit from the model. The staff is able to recognize the balance of modeling and structure, without the disruption of constant distraction and redirects. However, the most important benefit is for the client. The clients learn how to utilize self-governing skills that will benefit them throughout their lifelong development. A member-centered group is like a democracy where the group members (clients) share in the decision-making.

The model is taught at McKinley during an intensive 5-day, 20 hour program as listed below.

GCL is currently being used very effectively at many child care facilities in California and the United States.

FEE:

$350.00 Per Person for the Full Week
This Course Has Been Approved for 20.0 Hours of Continuing Education Through Community Care Licensing.

SCHEDULE:

TBA

Monday: Basic, Part One

Course Objectives: learn the historical foundations of GCL as well as the tools, structure and format. Foundational GCL methods such as Group Norms, Shaping Devices, Self-Reports, Building an Agenda, Diagnostic Questions, and 4 Principles of Feedback will be taught.

Tuesday: Basic, Part Two

Course Objectives: This course will focus on The Individual Centered Issue (ICI), the Group Centered Issue (GCI) and Progress Evaluations (PE) along with the corresponding steps for each of these processes. There will be a focus on Clarifications, Goals, the format of Feedback, how to develop an Agenda and overview of pre-group preparation.

Wednesday: 5-Step Process for Individual Centered Issue

Course Objectives: This course will focus on the Individual Centered Issue (ICI) and the 5-step process that is used to process an ICI. Each step will be thoroughly examined and participants will participate in skill-building role-play exercises.

Thursday: 7-Step Process for Status Evaluations

Course Objectives: This course will focus on Level Status and voting amongst group members. The progress evaluation follows a 7-step process that will be the focus of this class.

Friday: 6-Step Group Centered Issue/Recap

Course Objectives: This course will focus on the Group Centered Issues and the corresponding 6-step process that is followed. There will be a focus on "Spontaneous Groups." A recap of the entire week will also take place.

Call (909) 599-1227, ext. 2632 to enroll.