Peter Sprengelmeyer JP Davis Rohanna Buchanan & Patricia Chamberlain Oregon Social Learning Center Eugene, Oregon How to Make the MTFC Team Work as a Team

Overview Strategies for establishing and getting the most out of role stratification Mechanisms and opportunities for informal and formal communication among team members Dealing with disagreements Motivating team members Critical analysis

The Team The Program Supervisor

Role Stratification Establishing Role Stratification Communication with all team members Reminders and support as needed Why do we use Role Stratification? Allows team members to focus on their weekly task Allows team members to use the program to set limits while remaining reinforcing to the client

Communication Formal Paperwork Clinical meeting 1:1 supervision Informal Check-in with the program supervisor Before, after, and during sessions Office chit-chat Working in the same building makes communication easier!

Disagreements We will have disagreements! Talk to the Program Supervisor! Remember: Communication goes through the Program Supervisor Respect your colleagues It is important to listen to team members rationale Avoid criticizing team members in front of each other

Motivating Team Members Encouragement Asking for input Valuing your team as professionals Taking a hit Talking about what we did well/could have done differently HAVE FUN TOGETHER! How do YOU do this???

Critical Analysis The team helps you think through problems Multiple perspectives Can help identify missing information Make it safe to suggest options and alternatives

Clinical Example History and PDR Foster Parents and Point Cards School cards Family Therapist Individual Therapist Skills Trainers The Program Supervisor

Age 17. Ran away, lived with her older sister History of sexual abuse, substance use, and assault Parents did not want her to return home—no contact for 6 months Violent verbal outbursts (screaming, stomping, slamming doors) Athletic and liked to be involved in school activities Sister encouraged Jade to prostitute for rent money Jade

Clinical Example Foster Parent: Support was given to foster parents to avoid engagement in arguments. Point Card: Behavior goal of “Going with the Flow” targeted that included calm and flexible responses to rules and changes in schedule.

Clinical Example Family Therapy: Mom said did not want her back, then would demand contact Mom was volatile and contact predicted outbursts Engaged parent: Small weekly updates Asking for input on interventions Coaching: Positive interactions by phone and on visits Visits started small

Clinical Example Individual Therapist: Jade told therapist that she didn’t like to be controlled Positive Adult Manipulation Coaching: Identification of continuum/degree of emotions Recognition of onset of sadness and anger Reinforced modulated expression of emotions and self reports of use of coping strategies Planning for JobCorps

Clinical Example Skills Coach: Reinforced instances when Jade regulated emotions in the community Reinforced initiating positive conversation topics Reported observations from community interactions to the team Physically active in session: hiking, running, etc. Got her involved in yearbook club Went to watch some of her wrestling matches when she had daily practice

Clinical Example Program Supervisor: Supported the Family Therapist to: Make weekly calls with mom – 2-3 per week, 15 min each Ending calls with mom when they were negative (youth and therapist) Not personalizing mom’s behavior Supported the Individual Therapist to: Moving from interventions that support Jade in the FP home to interventions that addressed symptoms related to past trauma Coping skills Supported the Skills Trainer to: Redirecting and reframing complaining Physically active in session Interventions focused on coping skill across the team

What kind of success do you see in bringing the roles together? What challenges do people have with team communication? What is your favorite thing about being on a team?