Mastering Strengths

a

self-paced, online course
to master the art of fostering the strengths
of challenging youth

with personal mentoring from Chris Trout

Unlike online courses that email you automated lessons and worksheets, this course is a personal mentoring relationship with me, Chris Trout. You will identify one or more youth to be your focus and I will guide you through each lesson, answering your questions, making suggestions and helping you bring these ideas to life in your unique circumstance. We'll have the flexibility to adjust to your schedule or those little crises that can get in the way. You will receive a copy of Reflecting Strengths: The Workbook and an ebook copy of Reflecting Strengths.

Here is how it works:

1. You register, then contact me with youtr desired start date. I will ship you your copy of the Workbook and email you your copy of Reflecting Strengths as a pdf.
2. In the first lesson, you will identify one or more youth to be your focus for the course. You may, of course, reflect on and ask questions about other youth, but the identified youth will provide consistency and clarity to your work.
   
3. Each module contains a set of "assignments." You email me your observations, questions, etc. and I respond with suggestions, clarifications, celebrations, etc. This will be a personal mentoring relationship with ongoing communication. My email response will be followed by the next module. As the course unfolds, more and more of the "homework" is completed directly with or about the young person(s) you have identified.
4. We will use exercises from the Workbook, as well as new exercises just for this course.
   
5. Once a month, I will host a teleconference where you can ask questions and hear how others are thinking about this work.

Course outcomes: This course will give you the tools and support to be an effective:

• Strengths advocate. You will understand and be able to articulate how and why a strengths-focused approach produces better results than the traditional deficit-remediation approach.
• Strengths detective. You will know how to gather and interpret concrete evidence to help identify the strengths in each young person.
• Strengths engager.  You will be able to engage young people in the process of exploring their own strengths.
• Strategic strengths planner. You will be able to craft a strengths portrait that identifies each young person's key strengths, paradoxes, and strategies for fostering those strengths, while assuring accountability for behavior.
• Strengths communicator. You will be able to name and reinforce strengths specifically, authentically, effectively, and in your own style.
• Strengths sustainer. You will know how to create the daily habits and cues to sustain your strengths perspective with greater and greater ease - even in the face of colleagues or systems that may not support this perspective.

Course Schedule:

Module 1:   Why focus on strengths? A review of the foundational research and knowledge that has taught us about the transformative benefits of growing strengths.

Module 2:   Start with the end in mind. ID youth that will be the focus of your reflections and practice during the course and learn to identify the outcomes you are striving for.

Module 3:   Define strengths and paradox. We will define our terms, explore the terminology and definitions others have developed, and ID first impressions of your YP's strengths.

Module 4:   Strengths detective work I: Mining the evidence. You will use historical information (files) and observations to identify concrete evidence of strengths.

Module 5:   Strengths detective work II: Engaging youth. You will learn and practice ways to engage youth in the process of identifying their own strengths.

Module 6:   Crafting a strengths portrait. You will use the information mined in weeks 1-5 to create a strengths portrait which names strengths & paradoxes, and identifies key strategies to name, reinforce and foster these strengths.

Module 7:   Communicating strengths I: Specific. Expand your strengths vocabulary and learn to name strengths with increasing specificity and clarity.

Module 8:   Communicating strengths II: Authentic. Learn the meaning of and keys to authenticity and how it impacts how your message is received.

Module 9:   Communicating strengths III: Effective. Learn how to identify the most effective ways to communicate strengths, how to take advantage of "teachable moments" and how to identify the strategies that are most likely to "reach" each young person.

Module 10:  Your style. Explore how effective strengths-focused work can look very different in the hands of different people, and how staying true to your style increases your effectiveness. You'll explore and describe your own strengths and, especially, your style of relationship and communication.

Module 11:  Sustain your strengths work. Learn several strategies to help make the strengths perspective more easeful and natural, even in the face of non-supportive colleagues and systems.

Module 12:  Planning for the future. Create a plan to take this learning into all aspects of your life and work and build support systems for yourself.

Cost:  $300 (includes an e-copy of Reflecting Strengths: Transformative Lessons from Resilient Youth, by Chris Trout, 2006: Strengths in Focus)

Course FAQ's

Can I start anytime?

Yes.

Can I do it on my own schedule or must I complete it weekly over 12 weeks?

You may complete the course on your own schedule. For purposes of defining a "week," each weekly cycle will be defined by the following activities: 1) one lesson emailed to you; 2) one email to me with your responses and questions; 3) one email from me with my answers, suggestions and observations. Please note that you must complete the course within three months unless unusual circumstances require otherwise and special arrangements are negotiated.

Will I receive a certificate at the end of the course that reflects contact hours?

Yes, you will be sent a certificate of completion at the end of the course that reflects 24 contact hours. This reflects 2 hours/week for reading, writing and completion of exercises. If you wish to receive credit for participation in the monthly teleconferences, you will need to track these hours and forward your log to me at the end of the course. These will be added to the 24 hours and will be reflected on your certificate.

What if I start the course and something comes up that prevents me from completing it on schedule, like illness or losing my job or some other crisis?

These things happen. Just ask for what you need and we will work out an accommodation that allows you to finish the course when you are able.

Can I get a prorated refund if I can't finish?

I have worked very hard to offer this course and mentoring opportunity at a price that is affordable to as many folks as possible. Unfortunately, the economics of offering it at this price requires full payment from all participants.

Will I be able to communicate with others taking the course?

Yes. This will happen in two ways. First, I will host a monthly teleconference for everyone taking the course. Second, I will set up a discussion area online for course participants.

How can I pay for the course?

When you complete the online payment system, you will have the opportunity to pay via credit card, check or PO. If you select either check or PO as your payment method, payment must be received before you begin the course. Paying by credit card, of course, allows you to begin the course immediately.

I have other questions...

Just email me or call me at 207 767 2024.