Creating Welcoming Environments Webinar - The Exchange

Practical Strategies for Creating Welcoming& Supportive Environments for All YouthAugust 27, 2020

Presenters Lia Cassanego, ETRLisa Unti, ETRAmanda Gaston, MEESMary Oxendine, RTIAlejandra E. Medina, CACXavier Escamilla, CAC

Live Virtual Training LogisticsLogistics You are muted Check your computeraudio volume and enablespeaker (if troublehearing) If comfortable, sharevideoEngagement Annotation tool Breakout rooms Icons (zoom and more) Chat box

Group Agreements Participate fully Delay distractions Honor different experiences Be brave and explore Others? (Type in chat)

GoalPractical strategies granteesand sub-awardees canimplement to ensure theirprogramming provides awelcoming, supportive, and“safe” environment foryouth whetherimplementing in person oronline

ObjectivesBy the end of the training,participants will be able to Assess current programmingand identify areas foradjustments Set clear expectations foryouth engagement with PREPprogramming Identify strategies to promotesafe, inclusive environmentsfor youth

Where We Are Going1.Establishing Safety2.Setting Expectations3.Fostering Inclusivity4.Questions & Answers5.Closing

What statement & image do you most resonate with right now?Using the annotation tool, place an icon of your choice in that column.1. “Still trying to figureout where to start.”2. “Distancing is hard,but I have support.”3. “I’m calm, cool, andcollected. I got this.”8

Wellness Moment Journaling/writingpoetry Deep breathing Exercise or walk9

Establishing SafetyTo ensure a foundation upon which to learn10

Why Start with Safety Safety is foundational toensuring youth experience awelcoming and supportiveenvironment. When young people feelrelatively safe, they can thinkand feel at the same time.This is essential for learning.11

Making the Connection Acknowledge the limitations of theeducator's role. Identify what we cando to support safety. This lens helps us better understandwhere our youth are coming from andhow we can create an environmentbest conducive to learning, especiallyin light of the global pandemic.12

Four Types of SafetyBefore we dive into strategies, let’s define what we mean by safety.1. Physical2. Emotional3. Social4. Predictability

Native Wellness Model14

Strategies: Safety & Stability#1Protect from physical harmClear safety proceduresReduce unnecessarytriggers#2Build emotionalmanagement skillsCreate safety plans#3Foster supportive relationshipsPrevent victimization & abusesof power#4Routines & ritualsClear expectationsConsistent responsePrepare for changes & transitionsNWMInclude spaces toencourage & connect withnature and outdoor learning

What We Can Do to Establish Safety Be approachable: Build rapport, acknowledge youthexperiences and culture, and empower youth voices. Be accountable: Align words, actions, and expectations. Be a resource: Identify and share facts/resources usingneutral and inclusive language.This can look many different ways and is impacted by thenumber of youth you work with and your available resources.16

Activity In the chat box:– Share one or two things youare currently doing to supportyouth to feel safe within eachsafety domain.– How might this look differentin-person compared to online?Physical SocialEmotional Predictability Spiritual17

What It Looks Like in Action Example strategies for building safety– Physical Online: ensure the platform is secure; encourage youth to use headphonesfor privacy Home: connect with parents/proactive communication Classroom: physical and caring distancing– Emotional Model self care: build in wellness moments into your classes in person oronline If possible, limit group size so you can call on/know youth by name Invite local mental health professional to join sessions18

What It Looks Like in Action Examples strategies for building safety– Social Establish agreements and address it when they are broken (e.g., private chatcomments) Build in opportunities for youth to make the space their own (in person and online) Provide multiple ways to engage/share (chat, later in a shared document orhomework)– Predictability Set clear expectations If you collect anonymous questions, be sure to answer all of them– Spirituality Model connection to environment and something greater than oneself19

Questions, AskAway!20

Wellness Moment Practice mindfulness Meditative activity:cleaning, drawing/doodling, painting,listening to music Being outdoors Playing an instrument Playing video games21

Setting ExpectationsTo build resiliency & relationships22

Expectations For All Focusing in our predictability and expectations for:–You as an educator–Youth as a group–Youth as individuals–Parents/caregiving adults & community23

ActivityWhat challenges are youth,parents/caregivers,educators, schools,communities facing thatimpact how we show up tolearn?24

Before Implementation:Informing our Expectations & Supporting our Youth Context matters when it comesto safety, predictability, andexpectations Entering into this school year,reflect on factors andexperiences that are shapingour world25

Context: Community Community experience related to COVID-19 (this includesyou as a community member) Community resilience, identity, and culture Potential unemployment, food insecurity, housinginsecurity, physical safety, generational/historical trauma Available resources (youth community center,parks/outdoor space, sports/clubs) Level of acceptance/support of adolescent pregnancy andsexually transmitted infections prevention26

Context: Parents/Caregiving Adults Family experiences relatedto COVID-19 Family resources relatedto basic needs,technology, and internetaccess Trauma, abuse, or neglect Level of involvement andsupport of youth27

Context: Youth Youth experiences related to COVID-19 Access to basic needs Access to a safe and/or private space tolearn Access to personal or shared technology(computer, tablet, etc.) Accommodations for youth/familyschedules and youth with disabilities orspecial needs28

How do we begin to answer these questions?29

Strategies Ongoing check-ins before and during implementationto stay aware– Before implementation Set up a phone call Send a short questionnaire Use social media polls– During implementation Temperature/mental health checks30

Strategies Short and designed to foster a sense of inclusion andconnectedness Trauma-informed and rooted in positive youth development– Sample questions for parents/other caring adults What types of resources might you find helpful in the next 3 months (e.g.,support for communicating and connecting with adolescents, opportunitiesto share with/learn from other parents/caregivers, connections to safetynet providers)?– Sample questions for youth Which of the following ways would you like to use to connect (e.g., videochat, social media, text messages, socially distanced small group)?31

During Implementation:Sharing Expectations Establish yourself as a trusted adult. Thatmeans you go first! Example expectations:– I will show up on time.– I will respond to your questions within x day.– I will answer all questions honestly. If I don’t knowthe answer, I will tell you and find it later or findsomeone that does know.– I will share my video so you can see my face.– I will never ask you to share anything that you areuncomfortable sharing.– I will be your advocate.32

Sharing Expectations Educators have expectations, butalso allow youth to set their ownindividual and group agreements orexpectations Example expectations:– Confidentiality: what is said in thegroup is not repeated outside– Right to pass: youth have the rightnot to share without having toexplain themselves33

Sharing Expectations Example expectations:– Be respectful when using youthto-youth private chat– Listen respectfully and allow onlyone person to talk at a time– Be willing to participate inpositive activities that are new ora little silly34

Sharing Expectations Share with youth theexpectations you have for theirparents/caregivers These expectations should havepreviously been shared with theparents/caregivers35

Questions, AskAway!36

Wellness Moment Positive self-statements/affirmations Focus on things you cancontrol Cook for yourself and/orloved one37

Fostering InclusivityFor the betterment of all youth38

Spheres of Inclusivity Prioritize and foster inclusivity at multiple levels– Community/parents/caregivers/elders (communication andcheck-ins)– School/organization (inclusive policies, practices, andrepresentation)– Group setting (inclusive images, examples, and groupagreements)– Individual (positive relationships, supporting all youthidentities)39

Inclusivity in Action Reflect on language choice andframing:– Non-shaming/neutral language(e.g., consequences v.outcomes)– Actively destigmatize behaviorsand identities– Use examples that reflect awide range of people, bodies,genders, orientations, abilities,cultures and values40

Activity In break-out groups– What strategies do you use tofoster inclusivity in your PREPprogramming? Be prepared to share yourgreat ideas with the largergroup!41

Questions, AskAway!42

Wellness Moment Make a listRead inspiring quotesTalk to a supportive personEngage in a self-careactivity you enjoy: paintingnails/haircut/massage43

Grantee Spotlight44

Strategies to creating awelcoming and supportiveenvironment for all youthPresenters:Alejandra E. Medina and Xavier EscamillaCommunity Action Commission of SantaBarbara County

Step 1ImplementationDesign Process

Implementation Design ProcessChoose live and/or synchronous implementation Will you be implementing groups live with a group of youth?Will you implement a pre-recorded format for youth to learn attheir own pace?Choose which platforms to use Examples: Google Classroom, Zoom, Blackboard, Canvas,Kahoot, Padlet, QuizletUsed staff strengths to develop and modify thecurriculum for a virtual setting Choose what tasks staff want to work on

Step 2Know YourAudience AndBe On

Know your Audience & Be On Know your target audience Find a middle ground in your presentationfor all audiences (think of all youth withwhom you will implement and includetrusted adults in your audience) Curriculum Inclusive language Color pallet for PowerPoints Handouts Gifs or memes Think of supportive resources that youryouth might need Headsets Parent/guardian information Youth resources (Family PACT link, youthresource guide) Confidential question box & messaginghosts during implementation

Step 3Time to Work

Time to Work Create your PowerPoints and materials Include an orientation lesson for yourcohort Submit your materials to grantingagency and curriculum developer forreview Practice by teach-backs Practice with multiple staff as facilitatorsand co-host; have a staff support withtechnology This is a great time to check that yourPowerPoints are well polished; makesure GIFs or memes do not distract fromthe main concept of are trying to teach We suggest to practice your teachbacks with granting agency andcurriculum developer if possible

Step 4Outreach

Outreach: Reach out to your collaborative agencies for youthrecruitment Practice your sales pitch Set up referral process if needed

Step 5ImplementationTime

Implementation Time Call and orientation Call each youth individually and set uptheir cohort schedule Plan for an orientation day with allyouth This could include platform logistics,expectations, introductions To be more inclusive, learn youths’names, and call on them to participateduring live implementation We suggest running a small pilotwith no more than seven youth

Implementation SampleThis is a sample of our finished product for live andsynchronized learning

Curriculum of Choice:Making Proud Choices!Fifth Edition

Team introductions & orientationRecommendedMust-HavesVirtual agreements for yourcohortsYouth introductions for liveimplementationContent and resourcesParent materials