HomeServicesFrancis Institute: History

Strengths-Based Coaching

KEY INFORMATION
Office Location

MCC-Penn Valley      
Francis Institute      
3201 Southwest Trafficway   
Kansas City, MO 64111      

Phone:              816.604.4347
Toll Free:       1.866.676.6224
Email:Ask.Francis@mcckc.edu

Announcements

Strengths-Based Coaching® is now available online! Join us for this 15-hour blended learning opportunity. For more information, view our brochure:
Improving the Quality of Child Care Centers Through Coaching-pdf

 
 

History

A study conducted in 2006 by Debra J. Ackerman, Ph.D., National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University, offered the following findings about the preparation of consultants:

Continued...

"Consultants themselves may lack the skill set necessary to be effective. While they usually come to the field already possessing a college degree and some type of early childhood-related experience (Wesley & Buysse, 2004), as change agents they need an additional specialized knowledge base. Training may therefore be required not only in the content area of their work, but also in the consulting process, the kinds of strategies that can bring about change, and effective communication and conflict management skills (Buysse & Wesley, 2005; File & Kontos, 1992, 1998; Klein & Harris, 2004)."

 

Based on this study, the Francis Institute for Child and Youth Development created a curriculum and training to improve the effectiveness of consultation. Developed around research on best practices from the business community and other fields, Strengths Based Coaching™ A Journey into Coaching for Technical Assistance Specialists is designed to build upon the knowledge, skills, and beliefs of technical assistance specialists and consultants. The curriculum teaches them how to integrate their knowledge into an effective strengths-based coaching approach to consultation.

Continued...

"Strengths-Based Coaching™ has helped our Quality Improvement Coaches to bring focus to each visit with the clients they serve. Our coaches now have the skills and knowledge they need in order to work as a team with their clients to develop and communicate a clear purpose for their quality improvement work together." -Jennifer Hecker, Director, Kansas Quality Rating System, KACCRRA

 

The Francis Institute also recognized the importance of the coaching component in supervisory roles. A second curriculum, Strengths-Based Coaching™: A Journey into Coaching for Directors and Others in Supervisory Roles, focuses specifically on the skills required to successfully incorporate coaching in their role as a leader. Supervisors who focus on coaching are able to reduce the time they spend on crises management, and move from surviving to thriving as staff members become active partners in creating better programs for children.

Continued...

"Strengths-Based Coaching™ changed the entire way I look at my job. I'm excited again because I see there is a possibility for positive change. It's working! This is going to improve the quality of the teachers and the program. I definitely feel more capable and I have more tools to work with. I have direction for forward movement." -Shalyn Martin, Director, Milestone Academy
Last Modified: 9/26/11