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May 14-15, 2019
9:00 – 4:00 pm The Senator Inn, Augusta, ME David Pitonyak The Importance of Belonging Supporting Confidence, Competence and a Sense of Well-Being: A Two Day Workshop focused on Youth in Transition Are you case manager, transition specialist, teacher, school counselor, family member, case manager, or state agency staff? If so, this workshop is for you! Description Being connected to people we love is critical to our emotional and physical well-being. Many youth experiencing our services are lonely and lack meaningful relationships. This workshop is designed to move beyond interventions and coverage to a system that supports enduring, freely chosen relationships, especially critical in the transition from youth to young adulthood. Difficult behaviors result from unmet needs. This workshop will examine seven quality of life indicators that are often missing and strategies to support belonging and build relationships. David's work is based upon a simple idea: difficult behaviors result from unmet needs. In a sense, difficult behaviors are messages which can tell us important things about a person and the quality of his or her life. People with difficult behaviors are often missing:
At the conclusion of this two-day workshop, participants will have developed knowledge in the following areas:
About David, in his own words… The largest part of my work involves meeting individuals who are said to exhibit “difficult behaviors.” Most of these individuals exhibit difficult behaviors because they are misunderstood and/or because they are living lives that don’t make sense. Often they are lonely, or powerless, or without joy. Often they are devalued by others, or they lack the kinds of educational experiences that most of us take for granted. Too often their troubling behaviors are the result of an illness, or even a delayed response to traumatic events. You might say their behaviors are “messages” which can tell us important things about their lives. Learning to listen (see Herb Lovett) to an individual’s difficult behaviors is the first step in helping the individual to find a new (and healthier) story. I also believe, to paraphrase Jean Clark, that a “person’s needs are best met by people whose needs are met.” Supporting a person with difficult behaviors also involves an honest assessment of and attention to the needs of a person’s supporters. Another part of my practice involves training. I provide workshops and seminars on a variety of topics, including supporting people with difficult behaviors and supporting the needs of a person’s friends, family, and caregivers. In the recent past, I have provided consultation and training for individuals, families and professionals throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, England, and the Republic of Ireland. I have worked with people in a variety of settings, including: home and professionally-staffed residential settings, schools, supported competitive job sites, sheltered workshops, and day activity programs. The best, and most important, part of my life is my family. I live in Blacksburg, Virginia with my wife Cyndi. We have two boys, Joe and Sam. Fee: $150 includes materials and lunch both days Click here to register! |
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