CONFLICT – AVOID “ME AGAINST YOU” SITUATIONS
What happens when a visit does not go well?
What happens when a provider decides she doesn’t want you as her Monitor anymore and threatens to go with another program?
Do you feel that the problem lies solely with the provider?
Can this situation be settled?
COMMON GOALS
CONFIDENTIALITY
Confidentiality is always an important consideration because of the types of written information you may have in your possession. Documents, personal information, and reports should all be kept in a safe place. Never leave these items out for other to see. What does that mean? If you are using your family car to make your visits, make sure that you do not leave personal information in your car at the end of the day.
CONDUCTING UNSAFE OR UNCOMFORTABLE VISITS
Because you are entering private homes, you do not know what is going on in the home until you knock on the door. There are occasions when you may feel very uncomfortable.
UNCOMFORTABLE
There are many reasons why you may feel uncomfortable.
Determine why you are uncomfortable.
Ask yourself :
Why do I feel uncomfortable?
Is it only a certain time period that I feel uncomfortable?
Is there someone on the premises that makes me feel uncomfortable?
A collaborative working relationship is a positive way to build assurance with a provider when you are evaluating their program. Your job is to assure that all regulatory and contractual agreements are carried out. Building that collaborative relationship takes patience, respect, and good communication.
BE A MOTIVATOR – RECOGNIZING OBSTICLES
BE A GOOD REPRESENTATIVE
Providers may be affiliated with many organizations. They are part of the State voucher program and are caring for children whose care is subsidized by the State. They are part of Federal programs like the CACFP. In addition, you are visiting the provider because she is part of Bethel Child Care and Provider’s food program. In most instances the only person your providers are acquainted with is you, their Monitor. You are the ‘face of your organization”. You are the person the provider sees at their front door on a regular basis.
BE A FACILITATOR NOT A LECTURER
What does it mean to be a facilitator? It means to assist or aid. You are a facilitator every time you are teaching a provider a new skill or helping them to set a new goal. The following tips will show you how to be an effective facilitator:
ALLOW PROVIDER TO CONTROL HOW SHE LEARNS AND TO SET HER OWN GOALS THAT SHE CAN BE COMFORTABLE WITH.
One of the most important skills you can develop is how to manage your time efficiently. Know yourself and your personality. If you are a procrastinator, you need to seriously examine your thinking and take steps to change this pattern. This does not happen overnight it takes hard work and planning.
ASSISTING VS ENABLING
Often you are called on to assist a client. Assistance involves helping someone, or coming to their aid. You do this when a client needs to learn to do something.
ASSERTIVE LISTENING
How many times have you been having a discussion with someone and they are so busy thinking about what they are going to say they are not listening to what you are saying? It can be very frustrating to feel that the person you are talking to does not value what you are saying enough to listen. It is so important that you show your provider’s that you respect and want to understand their point of view.
ASSERTIVE LANGUAGE
As part of your job responsibilities, you are asked to go into provider’s homes to inspect, determine compliance, and assess the services provided. When you find that a provider is not meeting a contractual obligation, it is your responsibility to assert your authority to make sure the provider corrects the problem and meets the standards of compliance.
When you need to be assertive, what you say and how you say it determines how well your message will be received.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ASSERTIVE BEHAVIOR AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
ADAPTABILITY