Supporting Inclusion Through Value Based Practice
Best Start Annual ConferenceJanuary 2006
Presented by Leslie McDiarmidBetter Beginnings Better Futures
South-East Ottawa
RELATIONSHIPS
We all need four
or five people in our lives whose faces light up when we walk into the room.
Jess Lair
RELATIONSHIPS
Creating a safe environment to promote creativity, risk taking, reflection and growth for all participants (users of service, givers of service, funders of service).
RELATIONSHIPS
Working relationally as opposed to independently/dependently, recognizing “connectedness”, working in a way that shares responsibility and nurtures relationships.
RELATIONSHIPS
Providing multiple, creative opportunities for connection and access for all participants (families, children, volunteers, staff).
POWER I hope our wisdom
will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.
Thomas Jefferson
We thought because we had power, we had wisdom.
Stephen Vincent Benet
POWER
Recognizing and listening to local wisdom.
Community involvement Structured Unstructured Inclusion participation
PEOPLE
THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT
It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),That each by observation Might satisfy his mind.The First approached the Elephant,And happening to fallAgainst his broad and sturdy side,At once began to bawl:
“God bless me! But the ElephantIs very like a wall”The Second, feeling of the tuskCried, “Ho! what have we here,So very round and smooth and sharp?To me’ tis mighty clearThis wonder of an elephantIs very like a spear!”
The Third approached the animal,And happening to takeThe squirming trunk within his
hands,Thus boldly up he spake:“I see,” quoth he, “the Elehphant is very like a snake!’
The Fourth reached out an eager hand,And felt about the knee:“What most this wondrous beast is likeIs mighty plain,” quoth he;“Tis clear enough the ElehphantIs very like a tree!”
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,Said: “E’en the blindest manCan tell what this resembles most;Deny the fact who can,This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a fan!”
The Sixth no sooner had begunAbout the beast to grope,Than, seizing on the swinging tailThat fell within his scope.“I see,” quoth he,The Elephant Is very like a rope!”
And so these men of IndostanDisputed loud and long,Each in his own opinionExceeding stiff and strong,Though each was partly in the right,And all were in the wrong! John Godfrey Saxe
PEOPLE
Focused programming as opposed to targeted programming. Non-stigmatizing, supportive of participation, strength-based. Provides increased intensity in a program component for all children. Targets the program content and delivery, not the child/family.
PEOPLE
Analysing from without instead of from within. There are no “hard to reach clients”, there are unsafe, inaccessible services.
PEOPLE
No context shift. Principles are applied in all situations, with all people. Not just when it’s comfortable, convenient.