Events

 

Staff Annual Fall Retreat 2009

Appreciative Inquiry Training

October 15, 2009
Hartman Cove, Raymond, ME on Sebago Lake


The staff learned about Appreciative Inquiry (AI)

Staff were assigned a partner to interview and asked a series of questions, here are some of the responses:

What attracted you to this profession?

  • "I was feeling unsupported 20 years ago and it drove me to want to provide support for others who have children with severe disabilities"
  • "Working with difficult behaviors of children, I loved the challenge of it all"
  • "I am hopeful to help people make lasting changes in their own lives"
  • "My experience of living on a Cherokee Reservation and working in a children's home - it was a very profound realization that I had something to give."

What were some of your peak experiences that made you most proud while working in this field?

  • "Seeing growth in the kids"
  • "Peak experiences comes from looking in the parents eyes and seeing the shift from despair to hope"
  • "My intern supervisor said my goal is not to add to the suffering"
  • "Feeling like I helped someone by giving them the information they need to make decisions and to get information they want."
  • "Helping a teenager with substance abuse, managed to keep her alive and at last contact she is engaged, pregnant and finishing school and in what appears to be a good relationship."
  • "When my client was able to sign what he wanted or needed. He was able to communicate."
  • "I was a case manager for 10 years and I was working with a Somalian family to find housing. Finally after 1.5 years they got it. I never gave up and it was a great feeling when the goal was met.

What matters most to you in the nature of your work?

These comments were gathered from all the staff comments: honesty, integrity,patience, family, connections to people,respect, compassion for all people, caring, hardworking, creativity, commitment, knowledge/skills, teamwork, consistency, positive interactions with clients and co-workers, reliable, open to ideas and suggestions, being valued, finding treatment approaches that fitthe client, setting a good example, breaking the cycle of abuse, being humble, flexible, neutral, empathetic, sympathetic, and sense of humor.

Fast forward to 2012 what is your vision and hopes for the future in the field and within CFK?

  • "There is a smaller gap between children and family needs and the system"
  • "Helping more families feel empowered to ask for help that does not undermine their family system or cause disorganization."
  • "Opening Gently Weathered, our agency thrift store"
  • "Hoping funding becomes less of an issue in providing services to children and families."
  • "Getting bigger and helping more people"
  • "Family Centered Care less of a theory more of a practice"

And the rest we will all just have to wait and see!

The day ended with a pizza party luncheon, awards and door prizes.

It was a great day!