Schepard, Andrew: Lack of Growth in Private Sector – Mediate.com Video

Andrew Schepard talks about why he believes mediation has not taken off in the private sector. Firstly, he believes the ‘adversary paradigm’ is still how people go about solving their family disputes. Secondly, he believes that lawyer education is lacking regarding ADR.

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School Counseling Program Organization and Implementation

Introduction

Counseling programs are a vital component to any school. They provide students with resources, support, and nurturance throughout the entire duration of their elementary and secondary school years. Elementary school years are a time when children are growing socially, outside of the home. In the first few years of school they learn social skills that help them to interact with other students and adults. Counseling activities should focus on the healthy socialization of all students. Counselors at this level should offer group counseling, individual counseling, classroom guidance, media presentations showing positive interactions, and “no put-downs” type of curriculum that promotes kind social exchanges. The secondary school years bring rapid changes, physically and environmentally, to students. Adolescents are growing and changing, turning away from authority, and developing their own sense of self. Effective counseling activities must focus on human relations development such as: career training or education programs, college preparatory programs, group and individual guidance, sensitivity training, and classroom guidance (Gibson, 2003, pp. 5-51).

Counseling activities branch well beyond assistance with various career choices or personal counseling into the realm of human potential where physical, emotional, educational, and other aspects of the individual are considered. These separate parts are often difficult to distinguish, as individuals possess talents, needs, and desires that are enmeshed with one another. There are

dardized tests, student assessment, consultations, career information and guidance, educational guidance and placement, prevention services, intervention activities, administrative duties, developmental tasks, information dissemination, and public relations. School counselors can engage in many different activities in a one-hour time period. The period of work is well defined to the traditional school calendar.

Elementary school counselors have recently become a staple in most states. They are the most recent addition to school staffs. However, Secondary counselors have been employed in schools for the longest time, as their role in helping students in transition between school, college, and work, has been easily identifiable. Secondary counselors provide educational information like scheduling and college placement, individual counseling, administrative services, prevention activities, group counseling and guidance, developmental activities, information sessions, standardized testing and interpretation, and consultation activities. In addition, secondary and elementary counselors are often involved in non-counseling activities (lunchroom duty, etc.). Remediation is a focus for counselors like addiction counseling, sexual concerns, and relationship adjustments. Preparing students becomes less important as making decisions since there are immediate or impending choices to be made. Consultation and an understanding of the student’s environment shape behavioral modifications. Both elementary and secondary counselors are proactive in their approach to their counseling population.

Philosophy

All students should have access to guidance and counseling services, appropriate to their developmental stages. The program will be based on the tenet that learning is a lifelong process and therefore, counseling services should be a part of an overall continuum that contributes to the continued growth, learning, and development of each student. The guidance program must encompass the entire school community and shall be developed and implemented by the counseling staff and school administrators. All students have the freedom and responsibility for making choices within the constraints of the educational system, and will have access to the counseling staff to assist them with making those choices (DoDDS-E, 1994, p. 7).

Objectives

At the elementary level, this program will promote learning by helping children to master the skills and develop the attitudes necessary to be successful. There will be an emphasis on decision making skills, developing awareness, and foundational career exploration. The program will stress the self concept development and skill enhancement necessary for each student.

The middle school program will focus on the ever changing needs of young adolescents. It will emphasize continuation of skills learned in the primary grades but will alter the program to fit the needs of these students. It will address high school planning, account for student educational and occupational plans, and address any social factors that may limit potential.

The high school program will assist students in becoming responsible adults who can develop realistic and promising life plans based on clear comprehension of themselves and their needs, abilities, interests, and skills. Attention will focus on helping students to develop competencies in decision making, career planning, working with others, and taking responsibility for one’s own behavior.

In order to reach the goals set for each level of the program, the counseling program must be seen as an integral part of each school’s total educational program. The program will be organized and implemented by the school counselors with the support of faculty, staff, parents, and the community (Gibson, pp. 2-5). It will be proactive in addressing the needs, goals, and concerns of all students by including the following components:

Analysis and counseling of individual students

Student placement services for special programs (gifted and talented, special education, etc.)

Follow-up services post special program placement

Information and resource services (guidance activities related to vocational choices, group instruction on topics of interest, educational planning, etc.)

Research and Evaluation of scholastic policies and procedures

Test administration services

Group counseling services

Parent and Faculty support services

Administrative services to assist with necessary school functions.

This program will seek to serve youth populations and assist with developmental adjustment.

It is the mission of this document to establish a comprehensive competency based guidance program that can be implemented school-wide. In making provisions for this program, all students will have the opportunities and guidance necessary to develop skills for:

Accessing and processing information

Dealing with change

Thinking, reasoning and problem solving

Developing creativity

Demonstrating positive human relationships

Practicing learning as a lifelong process

The program will benefit students, parents, teachers, administrators and counseling staff by promoting educational development, increasing knowledge of self and others, increasing interaction, providing support, increasing opportunities, providing structure, and clearly defining responsibilities that must be carried out to accomplish school-wide goals (Gibson, p. 1).

The counseling program will be structured systematically and should include the following goals:

Students have applied knowledge of self and others

Students have developed competencies in life and career planning

Students have achieved educational success

In addition to the above, annual goals should be established to monitor the effectiveness of the program. The following should be considered:

Educational- Have students developed study skills, and awareness of opportunities, engaged in lifelong learning, shown appropriate test scores?

Career- Do students have knowledge of career opportunities, vocational requirements, and need for positive work habits?

Personal- Have students developed healthy self-concepts, appropriate social behaviors, and effective communication skills?

Lastly, the counseling staff should evaluate all of the following areas of services to ensure that they are meeting the diverse tasks that may be required:

Academic concerns

Tardiness

Absences or truancy

Misbehavior

Drop out prevention

Relationship concerns

All types of abuse

Grief, loss, and death

Substance abuse

Family issues

Sexuality issues

Coping issues

Crisis intervention (Gibson, pp. 9-11).

Organization

The comprehensive competency based guidance program includes sequential activities organized and implemented by certified school counseling in collaboration with teachers, administrators, students, and parents. The program will provide a fill array of guidance and counseling services and activities through these components:

1. guidance curriculum

2. individual students planning

3. responsive services

4. system support

Students will be assisted in acquiring competencies in career planning and exploration, knowledge of self and others, educational development, and career development (Gibson, p. 6).

Personnel

There will be one counselor allotted for every 250 students enrolled in a given school. These counselors will be hired from a pool of eligible applicants who have completed a graduate program in school counseling with no less than 30 semester credit hours of graduate level study. The courses should have covered the following topics:

Human growth and development

Counseling theories

Counseling techniques

Professional orientation

Career guidance

Statistics

Educational research

Multicultural issues in counseling

Tests and measurements

In addition to the above areas of study, eligible counselors will have also completed an internship in an educational setting consisting of no less than 300 hours. They also must be state certified in guidance and counseling.

Budget

The school counseling program budget should be included in the annual school budget planning process. It should be established per annum to ensure that the program is developed, implemented, and managed effectively. Funds should be provided to cover the following:

Equipment and materials

Staff salaries

Continuing education and professional development

Community resources

Career guidance materials

Computerized resources

Testing materials

Literature

The above list of resources should be considered a requirement for the proper functioning of the competency based guidance program (p. 9).

Evaluation of Effectiveness

In order to evaluate the counseling program, it is vital to develop standards and indicators based on the program organizational framework, to ensure the effectiveness of the program. It is also necessary to develop and used appropriate forms to supervise and evaluate school counselors based on their qualifications and job descriptions. Administration should encourage professional growth of counseling staff and assess student mastery of guidance competencies. The school administration must evaluate the impact of the program on the school climate and how well it reaches established goals. This can be done through personal evaluation, independent observation, and by surveying program users as to their use of and satisfaction with the program (p. 31). The following criteria can assist in further evaluation of effectiveness:

Is there evidence that all students are given the chance to gain awareness, knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes that lead to a socially responsible and sufficient life? Is there proof that students have acquired frequent information to help them make informed choices?

Is there evidence that all students have access to guidance in overcoming problems that are impeding their personal, social, education, or career development?

Is there proof that a team of educators provides counseling services to students within the school environment?

Is there evidence of the implementation of the program that reflects the wise use of resources according to the needs of the students?

Is there evidence that staff members are in roles that meet their professional qualifications and competence?

Is there evidence that the program is an integral part of the overall educational program?

Is there evidence that the counseling program is reviewed and renewed annually? (Gibson, pp. 31-39).

Integration of the Counseling Program into School Functions

Integration of the counseling program into the overall educational program will require a community effort. There is a survey form at the end of this document that can be used in the implementation of the counseling program. It should be given to teachers, parents, administrators or anyone else who would like to provide feedback on their expectations of the counseling program. It is important to remember that counselors do not work in a vacuum. They are constantly interacting with students come from varying cultural and environmental backgrounds, which impact their development, interpersonal skills, and behavior. Because the counselor is concerned with holistic wellness for each student, they must be sensitive to the differing needs of the students they serve.

Each counselor develops a personal style based on educational training, personal preference, values, attitudes, experiences, and cultural influence. Since no two counseling settings are the same, counselors must have highly developed adaptive abilities to succeed. Professional training programs and organizations, licensure boards, limitations, and accreditation standards all shape the counselor’s role. Personal factors that influence counseling include personal likes and dislikes, rewards and encouragement for accomplishing tasks, and the perception the counselor has to the appropriate role and function for a specific setting (Gibson, 2003, pp. 204-226). In as much as each counselor will contribute unique characteristics in each school, there must be some uniformity in the implementation of the program. Each program should be implemented by:

Considering each individual as a unique being whose uniqueness is to be valued.

Recognizing that variations exist within each individual. Counseling should be geared toward identifying special skills, talents, and interests while avoiding over-generalizations about abilities. Strengths should be highlighted while shortcomings are recognized, overcome, or bypassed.

In order for counseling to be meaningful, a person must be directly involved. Input, feedback, clarification, and interpretation are all included in this participation.

Accurate human counseling is limited by instruments and personnel. There are shortcomings unique to each technique or instrument so it must be assumed that assessment only provides clues or samples, not absolutes.

Counselors must accept the positive and potential of each person.

The counseling program follows established professional guidelines, which define ethics, standards, and protection for client and counselor.

Accountability refers to the provision of objective evidence to prove that counselors are successfully responding to needs that have been identified. Accountability evidence can be obtained from written documents, records, reports, tables, and computations. Counselors are responsible for the management, development, and leadership of any program they are involved in. In addition, counselors are responsible for continued progress and improvement. Therefore, continuous and accurate assessment of needs of the target population becomes key to successful planning for goals and objectives. This assessment is critical in establishing and maintaining program relevance and fostering accountability. Accountability can have positive and reaching impact on the furtherance of the counseling profession through:

Meeting the specified needs of the target population

Finding needed areas of specialization

Demonstrating the effectiveness of human service organizations

Showing cost effectiveness of counseling programs

Providing programs that respond to client needs with proven results in an efficient manner

It must be geared not toward individuals, but toward whole populations.

The design of the program must emphasize the unique nature of the population and environment.

An assessment of influencing forces over the lives of the target population must be performed to maximum effectiveness.

Organizational support for the counseling program must by strong, indicating a willingness to follow through with goals.

It must be based on some systematic approach for identifying the needs of the student populations.

Counselors engaged in prevention programs must be able to communicate and work with parents so that a health relationship with children can be fostered from infancy.

In addition to the above list, the program will include:

Assistance in developing coping skills

Development of self-esteem and values

Building of support systems

Parental involvement for children engaged in prevention activities.

Peer mentoring

Environmental assessment

Instruction in life skills

Commitment to the time required for the program to be successful

Evaluative processes designed to ensure effectiveness of the program (pp. 297-309).

Finally, the school schedule should be structured in such a way as to provide ample opportunities for students to seek counseling services. This may involve the adoption of a block schedule where there is a seminar period offered, or it may simply require teachers and administration to be sensitive to the needs of their students so that they can find a convenient time during the course of the day to permit their students access to the counseling staff.

This inventory should also be given at the beginning of each year to assess specific needs and goals for the implementation of the program.

Person filling out the form: (please circle one) student parent teacher administrator

Please circle your response to each item below. Use the numbers to indicate the importance of each question:

1= not important 2= important 3= very important 4= extremely important 5= vital

1) How important is it that students

have access to career guidance 1 2 3 4 5

information and materials?

2) How important is it that students

have access to a counselor so they 1 2 3 4 5

can discuss personal problems?

3) How important is it that students

have access to information about 1 2 3 4 5

colleges, vocational programs,

military service, and other post-

graduation options?

4) How important is it that the

counselor be involved in over- 1 2 3 4 5

seeing academic standardized

test programs?

5) How important is it that the

counselor utilize tests to identify 1 2 3 4 5

career options and talents for each

student?

6) How important is it for the

counselor to emphasize the 1 2 3 4 5

relationship between education

and careers?

7) How important is it that the

counselor provide job placement 1 2 3 4 5

assistance and referrals to students?

8) How important is it that the

counselor be involved in course 1 2 3 4 5

selection and planning?

9) How important is it that the

counselor assist students who 1 2 3 4 5

are dropping out or failing?

10) How important is individual

Counseling for students? 1 2 3 4 5

11) How important is it that

the counselor provide group 1 2 3 4 5

counseling opportunities?

12) Please list any other services

that you think the counselor

should provide in the remaining

space.

References:

Berger, K.S. (1998). The developing person through the life span (4th ed.). New York: Worth.

Brown, D. (2003). Career information, career counseling, and career development (8th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Corey, G. (1996). Case approach to counseling and psychotherapy (4th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Corey, G. (2004). Theory and practice of group counseling (6th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Corey, G. (2003). Theory and practice of counseling & psychotherapy (7th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Department of Defense Dependent Schools Europe (DoDDS-E). (1994).Comprehensive competency based guidance program manual K-12. DoDDS.

Fraenkel, J. R., & Wallen, N. E. (2003). How to design and evaluate research in education (5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Gibson, R. L. (2003). Introduction to counseling and guidance (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River: NJ. Merrill Prentice Hall

Kalat, J.W. (1993). Introduction to psychology (3rd ed.). Pacific Grove: Brooks & Cole.

Kirk, S. A., Gallagher, J. A., & Anastasiow, N. J. (2003). Educating exceptional children (10th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Milne, A. (2003). Counseling. London: Hodder Headline Ltd.

Slavin, R. E. (2003). Educational psychology: Theory and practice. (7th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Thompson, C. L., Rudolph, L. B., & Henderson, D. (2004). Counseling Children (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thompson Brooks/Cole.

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2011 Kia Sportage Driving

2011 KIA SPORTAGE EARNS AUTOPACIFIC 2011 “VEHICLE SATISFACTION AWARD” Compact CUV Takes Top Honor in Compact Crossover SUV Category Kia CUV recognized by owners for delivering outstanding value and high levels of overall satisfaction 2011 Sportage pleases consumers with class-leading fuel economy1, fun-to-drive performance, striking design, and comfort and convenience features IRVINE, Calif., May 19, 2011 – The 2011 Kia Sportage has received numerous accolades since its launch and sales of the compact CUV have tripled since it hit showrooms last summer. Adding to its long list of awards, the 2011 Sportage has received an AutoPacific 2011 “Vehicle Satisfaction Award,” based on positive feedback from Kia owners. Named the top vehicle in the Compact Crossover SUV category, Sportage scored 10-rating points higher than the second place product and received high marks from owners for delivering strong value and overall satisfaction in the category. The critically acclaimed 2011 Optima midsize sedan posted significant increases in positive owner feedback, ranking second in the Premium Mid-Size Car category while the Kia brand moved up twelve positions in the latest survey, one of the industry’s largest increases. “The 2011 Sportage has received overwhelmingly positive market feedback and attracted new consumers to the brand since it reached showrooms last year, thanks in large part to its unbeatable combination of world-class design, class-leading fuel efficiency, innovative

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Indianapolis International Airport #1 in the United States

The Indianapolis Business Journal reported in February that the Indianapolis International Airport ranked #1 on the list of 64 major airports in the United States with respect to across the board passenger satisfaction — the results of a survey conducted by JD Power and Associates. Indianapolis received perfect scores of five points in the categories of overall satisfaction, accessibility, check-in, security, terminal and food and retail services. It scored four out of five in the baggage claim category. No other airport received as many perfect scores. I flew in from Los Angeles last night at midnight. LAX, the Los Angeles Airport, is no comparison to the Indianapolis airport, which is why it scored near the bottom of the same survey. For fun, I used my iPhone to shoot a few seconds of the light show overhead in the passenger corridor leading to the parking garage and car rental area. Fun stuff!

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Six Steps To Plastic Surgery Satisfaction

www.theplasticsurgerychannel.com 6 Steps to Plastic Surgery Satisfaction | When it comes to breast reduction, augmentation or reconstruction procedures, there’s quite a gap between …

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Why It’s So Important to Make a Good First Impression

I recently had an experience at my favorite bar that got me thinking about how important it is to make a good first impression.

We had just finished playing volleyball and went inside to have a beer.   We are on a first name basis with many of the waitresses there, but we ended up with a new one that night. We sat down and it was at least five minutes before she ever made it to our table to get our drink order. And then she brought us the wrong pitcher of beer. 

And this got me thinking about the importance of making a good first impression. While we’ll certainly drink there again, we’ll go out of our way to avoid sitting in her area even though it very well could have been her first night working there simply because she made a bad first impression.

So what does this have to do with running a business you ask?

Only Everything!  

And you better believe this applies to a home based business as well.

Think about how people first come to learn about your business. Are you putting your best foot forward?

Let me give you another example.

If you go to a restaurant and you have a great meal and the service is great, you’re likely to go back and tell your friends. And even if the second time you go back the food isn’t as good and the service could have been better, you’ll probably give them another chance. Heck, you’re likely to give them multiple opportunities to redeem themselves.

But if go to a restaurant and the service and food are bad, then you’re almost certainly not going back again. 

You need to really think about the people who are going to be the first contacts for a new client or customer. For example, it’s absolutely critical that you have a friendly and knowledgeable person taking calls instead of someone who could really care less.

And while you may not own a restaurant or bar, you had absolutely better be doing everything you can to *wow* the customer the first time they do business with you.

If you get clients through the use of “loss leaders,” then those products need to be the best you offer. 

I could go on and on about this topic. Heck, books have been written on this topic of making a good first impression, but you’ve got the basic idea now. If you make a great first impression, the customer will cut you a little slack if you slip up in the future, but if you make a bad first impression, you’re sunk.

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Yuliana Agung, CEO Carre-CCSL accent in Indonesia Service Quality (SQ) Award 2010.mp4

Carre-CCSL is proudly present The Indonesia Service Quality Award 2010 that is execlusively given to the companies achieve Indonesia Service Satisfaction Index (ISSI)™ score above 3.5 and above average industry. The objective of this event is to campaign the important of owning customers heart by providing memorable customer experience and to reward winners to deliver more. Service Quality is today and future competitive advantage. Having a strong brand is advantageous however having excellent Service Quality is unmatchable. Therefore, those companies with good performance deserve to be rewarded. Marketing magazine and Carre-CCSL, continually conduct the SQA™ ceremony since 2007, initiated by Yuliana Agung, CEO Carre-CCSL, Service Quality & Customer Management Expert to respect those winning teams.

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