At the Georgetown Training Institutes, Choices, Inc. launched the Needs Aren’t Services blog to give systems of care communities across the country a place to share their thoughts about the Phrase that Pays Listen, Listen and then LISTEN. More than 150 people commented on our first post, a testament to the importance of providing families and professionals alike a place to have a meaningful discourse.
This month we are inviting you to join in a discussion about the Phrase that Pays – Needs Aren’t Services. This phrase has historically created controversy around what services are needed in a continuum of care.
Needs Aren’t Services begins at the most rudimentary level of knowing that we all have basic needs and the culturally sensitive understanding that we all meet those needs in our own unique ways. How would you react if someone came into your home and told you what you will eat, how you will clean and how you will relate with family members? This is sometimes how well intended services are perceived by the family.
When I think of Needs Aren’t Services and what helping families means, I am reminded of this story: Following a child and family team meeting the care coordinator was taking the mother home and while driving asked the mother what she thought about the meeting. The mother reflected and then replied that she was glad people came together to meet and that she appreciated their good intentions of thinking about what they thought she and her family needed. She also understood how, from their point of view, they thought that her son should have not one, but two hours of therapy a week. However, when the team enthusiastically added another hour of family therapy once a week and knowing she didn’t have transportation, the burden of these activities hit her. It was in that moment she exclaimed to the care coordinator, “… to be honest, I don’t need any more therapy, I need HELP!”
To do this line of work, it takes a lot of listening, a healthy dose of creativity and a strong desire to keep an open mind. When you finally discover the core of the actual need, services become the after thought.
We recently asked our staff to share their stories or thoughts about Needs Aren’t Services. Here are two examples.
“The soon to be sweet 16 year old female asked me if there could be something special done for her birthday. The need is not to buy something or have a service done for her, but it is the acknowledgement of her status as a wonderful, intelligent and empowered 16 year old who needs the support and acknowledgement from her caregiver. She is desiring someone to say “Happy Sweet 16″! Jay Harpring, Dawn Project employee since 2007
“When considering the focus of treatment, I try to think of things that could be done to help meet the family needs so they live together successfully, without even thinking about interjecting services. I think we have all failed in this area at one time or another, and that’s okay. It’s important to regain your focus and not lose sight of what the family says they need. I also think it’s important to continue to have conversations with your team about this so they can learn not to be so eager to request a service. Remembering needs aren’t services causes you to think more and work harder, but it really is worth it in the end.” Nikki Woods, Dawn Project employee since 1999
Please share with us your Needs Aren’t Services story. Just click on the link that says “Comments” and post your thoughts! Next month we plan to highlight the Phrase that Pays What are the Strengths, the Strengths and the Strengths. If you’re interested in being a guest blogger, please email us at Choices@ChoicesTeam.org.
- Knute Rotto, Chief Executive Officer, Choices, Inc.
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