FOCCUS Scoring and FOCCUS Scoring and

InterpretationInterpretation

FOCCUS – The First Stage of FOCCUS – The First Stage of Immediate Marriage PreparationImmediate Marriage Preparation

Clearly – FOCCUS not only product (Prep, Clearly – FOCCUS not only product (Prep, Prepare/Enrich)Prepare/Enrich)– Other local inventories as wellOther local inventories as well– Why FOCCUS?Why FOCCUS?

Primary reason is that it is designed for Catholics, Primary reason is that it is designed for Catholics, by Catholicsby CatholicsIn use since 1984 – expanded to include other In use since 1984 – expanded to include other groups groups

– General editionGeneral edition– Abridged edition (people with lower reading abilities)Abridged edition (people with lower reading abilities)– Multiple languages Multiple languages

FOCCUS -- StructureFOCCUS -- Structure

156 item inventory 156 item inventory

33 additional items for cohabiting, 33 additional items for cohabiting, remarrying and interfaith couplesremarrying and interfaith couples

Designed as a self-diagnostic inventory Designed as a self-diagnostic inventory (does not require mental health training to (does not require mental health training to administer or score)administer or score)

FOCCUS ContentFOCCUS Content

Four Major Content areasFour Major Content areas1. Match1. Match

Lifestyle expectationsLifestyle expectations

Friends and InterestsFriends and Interests

Personality Match (assume any personality can be Personality Match (assume any personality can be healthy)healthy)

Personal Issues (assumes that these are Personal Issues (assumes that these are problematic areas)problematic areas)

FOCCUS Content cont’dFOCCUS Content cont’d

2. Skills2. Skills– Communication Communication – Problem SolvingProblem Solving

FOCCUS Content cont’dFOCCUS Content cont’d

3. Bonders (Things that either unite people 3. Bonders (Things that either unite people or tear them apart)or tear them apart)– Religion and ValuesReligion and Values– ParentingParenting– Extended FamilyExtended Family– SexualitySexuality– FinancesFinances

FOCCUS Content cont’dFOCCUS Content cont’d

4. Integrators (Higher order bonders)4. Integrators (Higher order bonders)– Marriage Readiness IssuesMarriage Readiness Issues– Marriage Covenant/Commitment (specifically Marriage Covenant/Commitment (specifically

religious dimensions)religious dimensions)

FOCCUS Content cont’dFOCCUS Content cont’d

Summary Categories – These are Summary Categories – These are rearrangements of all itemsrearrangements of all items– Key Problem indicators (based on years of Key Problem indicators (based on years of

research, which answers typically lead to research, which answers typically lead to problems?)problems?)

– Family of Origin (In each group of questions, Family of Origin (In each group of questions, where do family of origin issues arise?)where do family of origin issues arise?)

– Dual Career (In each group of questions, Dual Career (In each group of questions, where do dual career issues emerge?where do dual career issues emerge?

FOCCUS Content cont’dFOCCUS Content cont’d

Special GroupsSpecial Groups– InterfaithInterfaith– RemarriagesRemarriages– Cohabiting CouplesCohabiting Couples

FOCCUS ScoringFOCCUS Scoring

What does it mean to score FOCCUS?What does it mean to score FOCCUS?

– FOCCUS is not a test that predicts the future. It is designed to FOCCUS is not a test that predicts the future. It is designed to help a couple target the topics they need and want to discuss. It help a couple target the topics they need and want to discuss. It helps them study, understand and communicate openly about helps them study, understand and communicate openly about many things that are important to their relationship.many things that are important to their relationship.

– FOCCUS scoring sorts each partner’s responses into categories FOCCUS scoring sorts each partner’s responses into categories and patterns to help them recognize their areas of strength and and patterns to help them recognize their areas of strength and challenge.challenge.

– FOCCUS scoring provides “Areas for Discussion” in each FOCCUS scoring provides “Areas for Discussion” in each category where there is disagreement or uncertainty or answer category where there is disagreement or uncertainty or answer in ways that the authors’ think may be problematic for them. in ways that the authors’ think may be problematic for them. “Areas of Agreement” lists topics on which the couple has “Areas of Agreement” lists topics on which the couple has agreement and certainty.agreement and certainty.

Creating SessionsCreating Sessions

Two MethodsTwo Methods– Couple Entry Method (in my humble opinion, the best Couple Entry Method (in my humble opinion, the best

way!)way!)You can pre-purchase sessions (I order them 50 at a time – You can pre-purchase sessions (I order them 50 at a time – there’s a small discount)there’s a small discount)

Some places require couples to pay for the sessions (your Some places require couples to pay for the sessions (your call)call)

– Quick Score Method (a challenge – but works if Quick Score Method (a challenge – but works if there’s no computer access)there’s no computer access)

Couples complete FOCCUS items with bubble sheets and Couples complete FOCCUS items with bubble sheets and pencils – you send it to them with a 7-10 day turn aroundpencils – you send it to them with a 7-10 day turn around

How Couple Entry WorksHow Couple Entry Works

Facilitator “creates session” for the coupleFacilitator “creates session” for the couple– Information required – both names and 2 Information required – both names and 2

separate emailsseparate emails– FOCCUS in Omaha emails a user id and FOCCUS in Omaha emails a user id and

password to each individualpassword to each individual– Each individual logs onto the FOCCUS Each individual logs onto the FOCCUS

website (website (www.foccusinc.com) with assigned ) with assigned user name and passworduser name and password

Couple Log-InCouple Log-In

Often, I get asked how to prevent answer sharing – Often, I get asked how to prevent answer sharing – impossible to prevent 100%, but here’s the directions impossible to prevent 100%, but here’s the directions presented by FOCCUS:presented by FOCCUS:– Be completely honest. Trust your partner and relationship. Be completely honest. Trust your partner and relationship.

FOCCUS is not a test and anything you identify for discussion FOCCUS is not a test and anything you identify for discussion can be a help to you.can be a help to you.

– Answer the questions by yourself. Sharing with your partner as Answer the questions by yourself. Sharing with your partner as you answer will limit the validity of the process.you answer will limit the validity of the process.

– Begin sharing as soon as both of you finish FOCCUS. Don’t Begin sharing as soon as both of you finish FOCCUS. Don’t wait for your facilitator or the FOCCUS report. The first priority is wait for your facilitator or the FOCCUS report. The first priority is discussing issues most important or interesting to you.discussing issues most important or interesting to you.

– Remember, FOCCUS is a snapshot of where you are today. It Remember, FOCCUS is a snapshot of where you are today. It is time limited and meant to start your discussion, not define you.is time limited and meant to start your discussion, not define you.

– Usually, it takes 40 minutes to 1 hour to complete the Usually, it takes 40 minutes to 1 hour to complete the instrument.instrument.

FOCCUS InterpretationFOCCUS Interpretation

Who interprets?Who interprets?– Great tool for clergy Great tool for clergy

Helps to get to know coupleHelps to get to know couple

Helps to identify problem areasHelps to identify problem areas

– Team approachTeam approachCouple interprets and refers back to presiderCouple interprets and refers back to presider

– Interesting finding from clergy in my parish – they like Interesting finding from clergy in my parish – they like another perspective on the coupleanother perspective on the couple

– Whichever approach – important to insure Whichever approach – important to insure confidentiality of coupleconfidentiality of couple

Three Levels of InterpretationThree Levels of Interpretation

Couple Level Couple Level – After couple completes inventory, they often speak After couple completes inventory, they often speak

with each other about their answers – this stimulates with each other about their answers – this stimulates conversationconversation

Interpreter LevelInterpreter Level– When couple meets with non-professional interpreter When couple meets with non-professional interpreter

– facilitation of couple conversation – facilitation of couple conversation

Professional LevelProfessional Level– Sometimes – beyond your competency – professional Sometimes – beyond your competency – professional

help requiredhelp required

How to interpret FOCCUSHow to interpret FOCCUS

2 reports2 reports

FOCCUS ScoringFOCCUS Scoring

Online Scoring – most efficient – currently Online Scoring – most efficient – currently $15 dollars per couple (bulk discount)$15 dollars per couple (bulk discount)

Send it back to FOCCUS – time lagSend it back to FOCCUS – time lag

Hand score – unless you have VERY few Hand score – unless you have VERY few instruments per year – this is time instruments per year – this is time consumingconsuming

Questions, Comments on FOCCUSQuestions, Comments on FOCCUS