WHY WE CREATED THIS COURSE

We all have goals that are near and dear to our hearts. Fortunately, neurological and behavioral science and psychology have taught us a lot about how to more effectively set – and pursue – those goals – and how poverty and oppression can impede our progress. This course aims to demystify the research and to provide frontline staff with the tools to help guide the individuals they work with on a path to realize the goals they set for themselves. Our hope is that, by the end of the course, staff are refreshed by a new approach to goal achievement – and are more confident in how to coach participants to set and pursue their goals.

WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR

This course is for frontline staff of human service programs, especially workforce programs, throughout the country.  It’s a good fit for staff who are new to the science of goal achievement – and those deeply familiar with it. We built this course especially for staff working one-on-one with participants, but it is also relevant for those who facilitate goal achievement in groups.

We created a separate resource with guidance for managers and supervisors to ensure the right environment for this approach, and support staff as they experiment with it.

COURSE OVERVIEW

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Throughout this course, staff actively explore and experiment. By the end (if we've done our job well), graduates will:
  • Recognize the important difference between “goal setting” and goal achievement 
  • Use executive skill strengths & strategies to support goal achievement (in themselves + others)
  • Guide participants (without directing them) to effectively set and pursue their goals
  • Adapt materials that support goal achievement for use in your setting
  • Advocate for ways to support participants’ success through science-informed changes to your policy and program

A WORD ABOUT OUR LEARNING APPROACH

This course was built on proven principles of adult learning. One critical feature of adult learning is connection. Connection is essential for deep, impactful learning. As you go through this course, notice how you are asked to connect personally with the content. For example, in module one you’ll use a research-based tool to reflect on your own mindset, in module two you’ll use the goal achievement framework on one of your own goals, in module three you’ll assess your own executive skill strengths and struggles. Please don’t jump over these parts! Applying the research to yourself before thinking about how it applies to program participants is critical for your learning. And, it makes it much more interesting!

You can read more about connection and learning here. If you are interested in a broader exploration of adult learning, check out www.globallearningpartners.com.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This course was created by Val Uccellani and Meg Logue of Global Learning Partners, in collaboration with LaDonna Pavetti at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. We are extremely grateful to all the leaders and practitioners in the field who piloted an early version of the course.
  • Santa Barbara County Department of Social Services, Employment Services Branch
  • The Family Self Sufficiency team at the Vermont State Housing Authority
  • The Vermont Department for Children & Families, Economic Services Division
  • New Moms Workforce Development and Social Enterprise in Chicago, Illinois
Your input was invaluable in creating this learning experience for others. Thank you!
This site is the product of a collaboration between Center on Budget & Policy Priorities (CBPP) and Global Learning Partners (GLP), made possible through support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.