Building Blocks for Success and Getting Your Needs Met Group Experiences
Building Blocks for Success: A Structured and Modular Group Experience
The purpose of this group is for participants to develop and reinforce essential life skills across a variety of areas through participation in exercises, discussion, and social exposure in a supportive group environment aimed at enhancing self-sufficiency, vocational stability, and personal success. The modular design of this group allows for entry into the group to occur during any week, as each session is a separate and complete unit. This outline is a general guide for the group. Content will be adapted based on the group composition.
Week 1 Understanding Stress
What is stress?
Good vs. bad stress
Effects of stress on health/daily life
Week 2 Stress Management
Relaxation exercises
Behavioral tips for reducing stress
Positive self-talk/letting go of worry
Week 3 Effective Communication
Aggressive, passive, and assertive styles
Verbal and non-verbal cues
Navigating social/work environments
Week 4 Emotional Sabotage
Redirecting anger
Reducing emotional reactivity/impulsivity
Calming anxiety
Week 5 Boundaries
Personal rights and responsibilities
Who, where, and when to talk about what
Consequences of crossing the line
Week 6 Problem Solving
Defining the problem
Exploring options
Taking action
Week 7 Conflict Resolution
Choosing battles
Separating person from problem
Keys to compromise/resolution
Week 8 Tools for Selling Yourself
Personal disclosure
Effective interviewing
Attitude
We first developed this group experience for clients with disabilities to help them become effective self-advocates and to promote self-awareness and understanding of how a disability impacts daily life. The group is based on Mary Costa's Master's thesis/project, Getting Your Needs Met: A Guide for People with Disabilities. Unlike the Building Blocks group, this group is not modular.
Week
1: Introduction
ADA and the Rehabilitation Act
Your Rights and Responsibilities
Week 3:
Defining Your Disability
Organizing Your Documentation: Personal Information Notebook
Understanding What They Said about You
Week 4:
Defining Your Needs
“Functional Limitations”
Your Work or School Accommodation Plan
Be a Responsible Self Advocate
When, Who, and How to Ask for Help
Using the Accommodation Plan
Rights and Responsibilities Revisited
Week 7:
Dealing with Your Disability
Accepting Your Disability
Coping with Disabilities
Negative and Positive Compensatory Strategies
Week 8:
Conclusion