Funky Friends: Establishing the Group by Christin Whitefield https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd Mira Cresson, Linda Valdez, Brianna Valerio, & Christin Whitefield EDSC 6302 en-us 2020-10-27 01:25:19 UTC 2024-07-15 19:18:18 UTC hello@padlet.com Informed Consent mcresson https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/864086316 Our school acquires informed consent from parents since students are under the age of consent. However, explaining assent in age-appropriate terms and asking for students’ agreement empower students. Students will orally agree to participation. ○ Additionally, we would require a written parent release that gives the counselors permission to meet with the students in the small-group setting twice weekly. The release would be sent to parents the week before the initial meeting and would detail the topics for each week. The goals of the group, details about voluntary participation, confidentiality, and potential breaches of confidentiality (Rollins & Pender, 2008).]]> 2020-10-27 01:27:17 UTC https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/864086316 Funky Friends Group Counseling cwhitefield92 https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/864087081 This small group is created to teach 3rd – 5th grade students how to make and keep friends. Funky Friend’s purpose is to create a safe environment for students to build necessary social skills to make and keep friends. Students will learn coping skills and strategies to positively interact with others and build healthy relationships. 
 
A needs assessment survey was distributed to teachers to determine student needs. Though multiple needs were identified, making and keeping friends was identified as a need worth addressing, for we believe helping students in this social skill will also address additional needs like bullying, conflict resolution, and emotional aggression. 
]]> 2020-10-27 01:27:40 UTC https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/864087081 ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors cwhitefield92 https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/864087632 The following ASCA Mindset and Behavior standards will be mastered in this group:
M 2. Self-confidence in ability to succeed
M 3. Sense of belonging in the school environment
B-SS 2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students
B-SS 4. Demonstrate empathy
B-SS 6. Use effective collaboration and cooperation skills
B-SS 9. Demonstrate social maturity and behaviors appropriate to the situation and environment


]]> 2020-10-27 01:27:57 UTC https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/864087632 Legal and Ethical Requirements cwhitefield92 https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/864087930 The Texas Administrative Code provides the requirements for a professional school counselor. 
Standard II of section 239.15 explains that the school counselor must apply the knowledge base to promote the educational, personal, social, and career development of the learner as outlined in The Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs. The certified school counselor must counsel individuals and small groups using appropriate counseling theories and techniques in response to students' needs. This requirement encourages school counselors to provide guidance and counseling to students based on the needs of students declared by staff or the students themselves. ]]> 2020-10-27 01:28:06 UTC https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/864087930 Publicity Plans bvalerio10 https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/867791398 Membership in Funky Friends will not be openly advertised to students. To identify possible participants, emails will be sent to teachers requesting for specific reports on student who may benefit from group counseling. An info graphic that briefly details lessons and learning outcomes/objectives of the small group can be provided to teachers to better inform their selection of potential students. School counselor may conduct observations to assist teachers in the process of identifying students. ]]> 2020-10-27 22:43:45 UTC https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/867791398 Yalom’s Therapeutic Factors cwhitefield92 https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/869715510 Through Funky Friends, multiple of Yalom's Therapeutic Factors could occur.  Development of socializing techniques will be present throughout our group sessions. The goal is for students to experience social learning or development of interpersonal skills. Another factor that likely will be present is interpersonal learning. Throughout the small group activities, students will be receiving feedback from others and experimenting with new ways of relating to their peers. The purpose of Funky Friends is to create a safe environment for students to build on the necessary social skills to keep and make friends.  The activities will help students learn coping skills and strategies to positively interact with other students and build healthy relationships. ]]> 2020-10-28 14:13:25 UTC https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/869715510 Legal and Ethical Requirements cwhitefield92 https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/869715867 In the direct and indirect student services section of the American School Counselor Association Professional Standards and Competencies, B-SS 3. states that counselors must provide short-term counseling in small-group and individual settings using data to identify students in need of counseling intervention and by providing support for students, including individual and small group counseling, during times of transition, heightened stress, critical change or other situations impeding student success. After an online survey was distributed to staff to attain information on student needs, the results showed multiple needs that needed to be met. The counselor guidelines above support the reasoning for conducting a needs assessment to form a purposeful group to meet the needs of students on our campus.]]> 2020-10-28 14:13:29 UTC https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/869715867 References cwhitefield92 https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/869734511 19 Tex. Admin. Code  § 239.15

American School Counselor Association. (2019).  ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/home/SCCompetencies.pdf

American School Counselor Association. (2014). ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/home/MindsetsBehaviors.pdf

Rollins, V. T. and Pender, D. A. (2008). Association for specialists in group work: Best practices guidelines 2007 revisions. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 33(2), 111-117.

Yalom ID. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). New York: Basic Books. ]]> 2020-10-28 14:17:24 UTC https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/869734511 Screening/Selection mcresson https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/871895225 The counselor will collect referrals from other stakeholders - teachers, parents, and assistant principals. Since the group focuses on relationships, the target student presumably would not be as comfortable in group settings. Therefore, students would be screened individually by the counselor. In this setting, the counselor will describe the goals of the group and review the topics and benefits of participation. If the student is interested, the counselor will add the student to a list. This list will be used to create a group of 4-6 students that range in ages, genders, backgrounds, and personalities in order to emulate the class setting on our campus. ]]> 2020-10-29 01:49:02 UTC https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/871895225 Ground Rules mcresson https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/871912737 The group will have three set rules as follows:
1. Respect each other.
2. Maintain confidentiality.
3. Share to the best of your abilities.
Other rules will be developed by the group in the initial meeting. Students will not be required to participate until they have agreed to the established rules. The attached document will be reviewed during lessons as they contribute to the understanding of friendship qualities.]]> 2020-10-29 01:59:15 UTC https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/871912737 3 Stages of Group Dynamics lvaldez122 https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/875238805 The population for this group are a mixture of boys and girls, in grades 3-5, who are experiencing difficulty making friendships with their peers. The dynamics of the group is very unique and interactive due to the diversity amongst the individuals in the group.

Stage 1: (An important stage and counselor will set a good impression)
In the first session, my groups will consist of 4-6 diverse students who will have the opportunity to participate and interact using positive dialogue with the members in the group. Additionally, confidentiality is discussed to gain an understand of what is being said might not be kept confidential. I will discuss my roles as a counselor. I will communicate the purpose of the session and goals. During groups, the students will build on confidence through socializing and gain knowledge to identify with the problem and utilize the necessary skills and strategies in their everyday life to enhance change.

Stage 2: (Safety/Trust)
 In this session, I will discuss group norms and expectations that will occur during small group sessions. I will introduce the purpose of the session and remind students about confidentiality. I will build trust by listening and showing that I care through words of affirmation, and positive reinforcement. I will also provide safety by ensuring that all rules are in place and students will treat each other with respect during activities that will enforce making friendships. All members of the group will learn about each other through social interaction. In between session, I am required to check-in with students to discuss progress and change.

Stage 3: (Applying Skills and Info.)
In the final stage, I will discuss the importance of confidentiality outside of group session. I will create a schedule to allow planning time for student support and to encourage learned skills. Students will be able to use skills and create wonderful friendships with their peers by joining an after school book club with their new friends. For a final good-bye, I will host a ceremony for the member to have a chance to share what they have learned and set new goals to help through the process. As a follow-up plan (4-6 weeks) I will conference with teachers to check for progress, and  meet with my group to discuss attainment of goals, and struggles they are still encountering. Reinforcement of strategies and skills will continue as needed. 

 
Reference
Missouri Professional School Counselors and Counselor Educators. (2015). Professional school counselor small group counseling guide: A professional school counselor’s guide to planning, implementing, and evaluating school-based counseling groups. https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/guid-respon-serv-small-group-counseling-guide-2015.pdf


  
]]> 2020-10-30 00:22:36 UTC https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/875238805 Leadership Style lvaldez122 https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/875239480 The leadership style that my group will benefit from is the transformation leadership style. This type of leaders inspires the achievement of goals and assists students in the group to reach their full potential. These particular students are struggling with making friends; therefore, they are needing a transformational leader to set clear goals to allow positive change. Transformational leaders are known to build confidence, and encourage groups to work together to achieve success.

Reference
Cherry, K. (2020). Leadership styles and framework you should know. VeryWellMind. https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312]]> 2020-10-30 00:22:59 UTC https://padlet.com/cwhitefield92/20gmb95qw9yt6efd/wish/875239480