Hands Down by Caren Ricke

Group Description

cricke1 — 2025-02-16 13:45:15 UTC

Hands Down:

A psychoeducational group designed to equip high school students in a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) to avoid physical altercations.

ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors

cricke1 — 2025-02-16 14:12:26 UTC

The Hands Down participants will work to demonstrate the following standards delineated by the ASCA (2021):

M 2. Sense of acceptance, respect, support and inclusion for self and others in the school environment

B-LS 7. Long- and short-term academic, career and social/emotional goals

B-SMS 2. Self-discipline and self-control

B-SS 9. Social maturity and behaviors appropriate to the situation and environment

Publicity

cricke1 — 2025-02-16 14:26:11 UTC

This group will only be open to the high school students in the DAEP. Thus, it will only be advertised within the school building. Parents of eligible students will be given an information sheet explaining the purpose of the group and outlining the sessions, along with contact information. They will also be given an informed consent form to sign if they choose to opt in for their child.

Brief presentations will be given annually to school faculty and staff to ensure that all of the adults in the building area ware of the nature and purpose of the group and to encourage schoolwide support.

Screening

cricke1 — 2025-02-16 14:55:32 UTC

Initial group eligibility will be determined by referrals from the administration. Eligible students and parents will be informed of the group at the required, in-person student orientation they attend prior to enrollment. The names of students who express an interest in the group and whose parents opt in will be given to the group leader.

Screening will be conducted by the group leader with individual students. The group guidelines and expectations will be explained and students will be asked if they are able and willing to meet them. The leader will then select students they believe would both benefit from the group and contribute in a positive way.

Informed Consent

cricke1 — 2025-02-16 16:06:49 UTC

All participants and parents/guardians will sign an informed consent form before group placement. This form was adapted from the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Programs (2015).

References

cricke1 — 2025-02-16 16:07:10 UTC

American School Counselor Association. 2022. ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors.

American School Counselor Association (2021). ASCA

Student Standards; Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success. Alexandria, VA: Author

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.

2 Tex. Admin. Code §33.005

Ground Rules

cricke1 — 2025-02-16 17:03:47 UTC

Each participant will discuss and agree to the ground rules for group participation with the leader. Since this is an open group and students will constantly be coming and going, the formal rules will be in writing. Other issues that come up as a natural part of the group process can be agreed on and incorporated informally.

Group Stages

cricke1 — 2025-02-16 17:28:01 UTC

Due to the nature of the DAEP, the small group will have a different composition every week. The students will be in different places with respect to their comfort level in the group. One of the challenges of the group leader will be to effectively juggle the needs of students in different stages, all at once. The leader will need to model group norms and reinforce them throughout each session. Brief reminders of confidentiality and expectations of mutual respect will be stated at the opening of every session. Students who have been to multiple sessions can be utilized as mentors to newer students in subtle ways. At the end of every session, the members for whom this session is their last will be thanked for their participation and given the opportunity to debrief with the group, sharing highlights of their time and any advice for the group as they depart.

Leadership Style

cricke1 — 2025-02-16 17:34:28 UTC

The most effective leadership style to utilize with this group is transformational. The participants need to know that the leader is passionate about helping them improve their lives. They need to feel respected and cared for and understood by the group leader in order to fully benefit from the group experience.

Therapeutic Factors

cricke1 — 2025-02-16 17:55:29 UTC

The therapeutic factors that are most likely to be experienced in group work generally are Universality and Instillation of Hope. Hands Down participants will realize that others struggle with the same things (and sometimes in the same ways) and will be encouraged as they see and hear progress being made by themselves and others. Additionally, with this group design, students will receive necessary information and further develop their develop social skills.

cricke1 — 2025-02-16 18:00:21 UTC

cricke1 — 2025-02-16 18:07:01 UTC

Legal Considerations

cricke1 — 2025-02-16 18:10:44 UTC

The state of Texas requires a comprehensive school counseling program to include "a responsive services component to intervene on behalf of any student whose immediate personal concerns or problems put the student's continued educational, career, personal, or social development at risk" (Texas Education Code). Hands Down fits this category as reducing fights helps to combat the extended school absences associated with out of school suspension, DAEP placement, and even jail.

Ethical Considerations

cricke1 — 2025-02-16 18:10:54 UTC

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) requires in their ethics code that school counselors "provide necessary follow-up and/or referrals to additional resources for group members" (2022). It is important that referrals are made for Hands Down members who need outside counseling or ongoing support after leaving the DAEP.