RIGHT FROM THE START MODERATOR TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY DIALOGUE

RIGHT FROM THE START VISION AND PURPOSE Why, despite our best efforts, do we still have children in Connecticut entering school behind their peers, not fully ready to learn and succeed? Right from the Start (RFTS) is a Connecticut initiative that evolved from the outcry of parents, early care providers, advocates and a range of community stakeholders for a coordinated comprehensive early care and education delivery system. We want a system where all Connecticut children receive the early education and development support they need.

RIGHT FROM THE START (RFTS) CONVERSATIONS Right From The Start community conversations seek to bring together people in communities throughout Connecticut to identify the best approaches to address the four root causes that are not receiving enough attention. We want a system : that builds a foundation for learning and development during a child’s first 1000 days with accessible health, mental health, and social-emotional development support provides all children regardless of race or economic background with the same opportunities where local communities are empowered to make effective decisions for their citizens

RFTS COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS WILL: Offer community members information about the importance of the first 1000 days of a child’s life. Generate ideas about opportunities and actions to eliminate the current gaps and weaknesses in the system. Identify specific ways the local collaborative can work with local partners to respond to community needs. Build capacity for future community conversations on critical issues as they arise Set the stage for new and effective actions on behalf of all members of the community.

Elements of the Model Planning process and participant selection Session structure and ground rules Question sequence Considering alternatives – choice framework Moderator and recorder roles Follow up

… MORE ABOUT THE MODEL The Conversation format and guidelines draw on public dialogue principles and practices from groups like Public Agenda and the National Issues Forum The Conversation model is designed to create a comfortable and “safe” setting for candid dialogue.

… STILL MORE ABOUT THE MODEL The process provides natural opportunities for participants to address sensitive issues when it is meaningful in the context of local realities It is the moderator’s job to recognize when people are trying to address sensitive concerns and to create a “safe” environment for the group to examine these points together.

STRUCTURE OF THE SESSION The following suggests the amount of time that should be planned for each segment: REGISTRATION/MEAL [about 45 minutes to 1 hour] LARGE GROUP WELCOME AND OVERVIEW [about 15 minutes] SMALL GROUP MODERATED DISCUSSIONS [ minutes] LARGE GROUP WRAP UP: [ minutes]  Reports from small groups  Closing remarks  Discussion of next steps  Participants complete evaluation forms

THE SMALL GROUP CONVERSATION Part 1:Topic video screening and discussion starter - After group introductions, preview video themes, show the video and begin conversation [40 min.] Part 2:Interim Summary – Sum up the themes, messages and reactions from the video [20 min] Part 3:Reaching RFTS Goals - Using the alternatives choice framework, discuss alternative approaches to improve the system [40 min] Part 4:Final Summary and Next Steps Discussion – Highlight the most important points and ideas for change; Cultivate participant commitments to action [20 min.}

VIDEO PREVIEW THEMES AND KEY TERMS Each video discussion guide highlights important ideas using specific language presented in the video.  Early is Good, Earlier is Better: Prenatal, attachments, brain architecture, toxic stress  Pay Attention to The Whole Child: Whole child, domains, relationships, discovery, comprehensive system, traumatic loss  Mind The Opportunity Gap: opportunity gap, age-in, wait list, Care4Kids, CT Works  Support Local Community Action: stakeholders, collaborative, data, family resource center, community infrastructure

WHY USE A CHOICE FRAMEWORK? Each video has a choice framework unique to that topic. Each framework offers 3 different approaches to strengthen the system and to address root causes behind disparities. The Choice Framework allows participants to:  to go deeper into a solutions oriented discussion  to consider the topic from different perspectives  to weigh competing values, tradeoffs and practical challenges  to find their own voice using clear, jargon-free language

THE MODERATOR ROLE Manages the process so that the time allotted to the discussion is productive for all Is understood to be free of biases and is a natural adjunct to the conversation Ensures that all understand that there are no “right” or “wrong” answers – only “thoughtful” answers

MODERATOR GOALS To improve communication To generate thinking about ideas for action To ensure all voices are heard Stay focused and on schedule Most importantly, make the conversation as highly participatory and productive as possible

MAJOR MODERATOR TASKS Create an environment where people can express ideas safely by being relaxed, straightforward, and respectful. Encourage participation by not allowing anyone to dominate.  everyone has an opportunity to participate.  manage the dominant personality  don’t defer to the knowledgeable expert Intervene gently to keep the conversation open, constructive and accessible to everyone.

….. MODERATOR TASKS, CONTINUED Help people to examine their own views, understand the views of others. Manage conflict by using an attitude of appreciation toward disagreement. Clarify and move forward to generate proposals and priorities for action Maintain a NEUTRAL facilitating stance. Put your own views aside for the session. Appearing biased will discredit the entire event.

RECORDER’S ROLE The job is a crucial one: To record the major points during the small group discussion. Capture the essence Record each person’s position and each person’s thinking – e.g.. “I’m for such and such, because …..”. Like the facilitator, you are neutral – no opinions or points of view. Remember – your notes will be used to inform the community of the findings from the conversation

RECORDING TIPS On each flip chart sheet, identify your group (group number, color, etc.) Number the pages as you go Write large enough so that everyone in the room can read it It is OK to ask the facilitator to clarify a point – address the moderator not the participants Post pages around the room if possible

THE PARTICIPANTS Conversation participants have been selected based on specific goals for each community conversation. Some sessions will have participants selected from a single group or sector – e.g. Educators, public service providers or parents. Some sessions will intentionally bring together a diverse cross-section of the community mixing all these groups together. Groups may include:  Diverse, cross-section of the community  Reflection of the diversity of the community  Socio-economic mixture  Different political leanings  Cross-section of age groups  Predominately members of the general public

REMINDERS Ground rules Ensure equal participation Express no opinions, no positions Keep focus Don’t argue – place such issues onto the Areas of Disagreements or Questions and Concerns charts. Manage the time

GETTING STARTED Introduce self first, modeling the format  Name  Your role or affiliation (if any)  Interest in the topic Make a seating chart, note names/positions for later use Give an overview of the small group session agenda Review ground rules Review the topic and key terms and ideas Run the video

PRACTICE Rotate in pairs – one facilitator & one recorder Conduct segment of the conversation Self-assess  What are you confident about?  What was are you less confident about?  What parts are you uncomfortable with or unclear about?  What questions do you have? Group feedback