Beyond the Nine Dots: What dots??

Are you stuck in the nine dots? Are you nine dotting yourself? These questions are foundations of the power phrases. However, sometimes, we get so locked on to a comfort zone in one or more areas of our life that we don't even see the dots. So, this spring we are asking ourselves and each of you to live in this question in several areas of life. Where have we made up rules based on past experiences or conditioning that limits our possibilities? The Conscious Mind can become a barrier to growth and to playing at the edge of our skill.

This spring I had the opportunity to go kayaking during the Master Facilitator Training. Our training site was on Tom's River, a beautiful slow moving body of water. Kevin Kavanaugh, one of the candidates, is an avid kayaker and brought two of his kayaks so those of us in the training could try it. This is how my conscious mind, my self-talk, kept me on the deck for two days. "The water is too cold, I'll get wet and sweaty, and then have to resume training. I'll look too fat in that wet suit. There's not enough time over lunch." Yada Yada Yada!!! These are all "reasonable excuses." Our reasoning minds can keep us stuck and/or safe.

I jumped out of the dots by saying, "STOP! -- this is an opportunity you may not have again, you can afford to skip lunch, Kevin is a great teacher, and I'll be safe. This will be exciting and fun. Just choose to do it." So I put on my rubber suit, (a.k.a. the Pillsbury doughboy costume) and away we went. Kevin is a Master Facilitator of Kayaking, and I thank him for the opportunity to try something new.

Sometimes our dots are about trying a new activity, sometimes they are about thinking in a different way, trying a new behavior, a new image, a new way of facilitating KIV. Watch out for that reasonable mindóit is a master of dots. Beware of the reasonableness of others, to.

At one time, we opened the Facilitator Training with this quote from Through the Looking Glass, by Lewis Carroll. "I can't believe that!" said Alice. " Can't you?" the Queen said in a pitying tone. "Try again: draw a long breath, and shut your eyes." Alice laughed. "There's no use trying," she said: "one can't believe impossible things." "I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!"

Let's all get more practice in possibility thinking. We would love to hear how you or your clients got out of the nine dots this summer.

Warm regards,
Phyllis Antonelli and Ron Kuhn

BEYOND THE ROCKS!!

Coconino Juvenile Probation - Important lessons about growing a program.

In April 1999, Keys, Inc. did a Facilitator Training for a cross-section of Flagstaff, AZ community agencies. As a result, KIV has become 80% of the Comprehensive Youth Program of Juvenile Probation. Facilitators, Sonja Burkhalter, Instructional Specialist Sr., and Jen Burns, Americorps Member, have been delivering the curriculum to youth on probation. The groups meet three times a week for four weeks. Probation officers are present for the first day of orientation and graduation. In Sonja's words -- "On July 9, 1999, our first KIV graduation was held for two students. On April 14, 2000, we had our most recent graduation. The changes and progress between these dates are vast and varied. The longer the program has been in place the greater the variety of students are referred to the program. This variety has greatly enhanced classroom participation and discussion."

"The last graduation included a student who had started but not completed the program two other times. Throughout the session, she maintained a positive attitude, perfect attendance, and exhibited leadership and mentoring qualities. At times, she remembered lessons or units well enough to teach them for us. It was exciting for us, and it seemed to be a confidence builder for her. The first day we met her she muttered her name, looked down, and covered half her face. She remained quiet the rest of the day and for the next several weeks. Typically, she stated, ëI don't care,' with her head down. The last day she was with us she laughed constantly, actively participated, and hugged us as she left. Her transformation was fabulous to watch."

This last graduation Jen Burns created a Keys Jeopardy game for review and prizes. The game was a huge hit and really tested the students knowledge. We expect this to be a part of our next graduation.

We applaud Sonja, Jen, and Kathy Turner, Project Director, of Coconino Juvenile Probation for their tenacity and commitment to youth and for providing the KIV network with the following reminders:

Important lessons

• Start right after the training and keep Facilitating. Facilitators become more confident, and relationships with referring agencies improve.
• Don't give up on the students if they drop out or don't participate the first time.
• Encourage students to assist with teaching and mentoring.
• Graduations are important. Parents and referral agents need to be included.
• Use your creativity to add to the curriculum.

Cochise County, AZ Juvenile Detention

Deb Mackey, Detention Supervisor, wrote to tell us what a dynamic job her Facilitators, James, Diane, and Marina are doing. The kids enjoy participating in KIV, and they learn a lot from it.

Mohave County Honors Dr. Ron Kuhn

Mohave County Probation Department honored Dr. Ron Kuhn this April by presenting him with an award in recognition of all that he has done for young people, not only in Mohave County, but throughout the world. Ron deeply appreciates this acknowledgement.

New Jersey Master Facilitators

In March, ten candidates endured the "grueling yet vastly rewarding," Master Facilitator certification process. Trainers Phyllis Antonelli, Ed Martinez, and Janis Mayer-Obermeier ensured that each trainee demonstrated competency in four areas ó Knowledge of the curriculum content, processes, and use of the materials; Ability to deliver in a multi-sensory style that addresses three learning styles; Knowledge of special at-risk issues; Application and implementation strategies. Certification enables the sponsoring agency to train Facilitators and to have an expert on staff to guide implementation. Please join Keys, Inc. in welcoming these trainers to the Master Facilitator network of 65 currently certified trainers. We also extend our appreciation to Christine Laquidara, DOC, Director of Education, and Mary Richter, JJC Coordinator of Comprehensive Health, for selecting and supporting these candidates. Both Chris and Mary were trained as Master Facilitators in the initial trainings in New Jersey. They have trained many clients and staff and are great role-models of the process.

Master Facilitators of the Year - 2000

Master Facilitators are trained and evaluated in four competency areas. This year we have selected a Master Facilitator Team from North Dakota who competently encompass all the areas of expertise. Nicole Leitner and Kristie Tollefson came to their 1998 Master Facilitator Training as a team. In the last two years, they have been providing training to courts, schools, colleges, and community agencies. In addition to these professional skills, their personal integrity and dedication to the staff and youth they serve and their commitment to integrate and use KIV in all aspects of their lives makes Kristie and Nicole outstanding representatives of the Master Facilitator group and of Keys to Excellence, Inc.

We extend our gratitude to Greg Wallace, Assistant Court Administrator, for the vision and commitment to the court staff that has enabled Keys to Innervisions to become a statewide curriculum. Under the guidance of Mary Hall, Director of East Central Judicial District, and Karen Olson, Juvenile Supervisor, Northeast Judicial District, Nicole and Kristie have done an extraordinary job of coordinating KIV throughout the system and in supervising and providing leadership to both Facilitators and administrators.

Facilitator of the Year

Michele White
NJ Dept. of Corrections

As a teacher and Facilitator at the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, Michele has provided powerful direction to clients and leadership in many projects in her agency. Her vision, tenacity, and commitment to the students she serves has enabled Michele to lead the way with the initial implementation of Keys to Innervisions. In the last year, Michele has been a "Key" figure in designing and implementing a pilot project to expand Keys to Innervisions to the incoming inmate population. Recently, Michele completed her Certification for Master Facilitator. We are appreciative of the preparation and skills she demonstrated and her willingness to serve as a mentor for the five Master Facilitators in adult corrections.

Keys, Inc. extends appreciation to Christine Laquidara, Jeff Burns, Dr. Douglas Gerardi, Dorothy Maschiotti, administrators in the New Jersey Dept. of Corrections, who have supported the implementation of Keys to Innervisions and provided Michele with training and direction. Most important, Keys, Inc. acknowledges and thanks the KIV facilitators across the country who diligently go about empowering clients and walking the walk. A warm thanks to each of you for your work!!!

Presidents Award - Bob Hare

Mohave County, AZ Probation Department

Each year Keys, Inc. honors an outstanding contribution of high impact, innovative, creative, and courageous implementation of Keys to Innervisions. This years honoree is Bob Hare, whose work and commitment to service far outdistances this criteria. Trained as a Master Facilitator in 1997 and recertified last year, Bob has been a leader in the astounding expansion and use of KIV throughout the county. Mohave County is a large area and includes Kingman, Bullhead City, and Lake Havasu City. Under the direction of Al Rosen, Asst. Chief Probation Officer, and Rod Marquardt, Chief Probation Officer, the Keys program in Mohave County is in its sixth year of operation. It has grown from Weekend Wake-up Workshops for probationers to include classes for parents, anger management, substance abuse, life-skills workshops, adult correctional programs, the SHOCK program, and in-school suspension. Bob and his Co-facilitator and life partner, Betty, train Facilitators for and coordinate these programs. They also create and write a KIV monthly newsletter, "The Affirmation" which keeps programs and facilitators informed about new events, trainings, and creative additions to the curriculum. Each month a Facilitator of the Month is highlighted. What is even more remarkable--Bob is the oldest Master Facilitator of KIV and is a great-grandfather! Please join us in applauding this dynamic man who serves as a role-model for all of us.

Connecticut Programs Expand

Their Use of KIV

In early March, Keys, Inc. trainers Ed Martinez and Chris Kuhn had the opportunity to offer a follow-up round of Facilitator Training for the Corporation for Public Management. Last spring, Ron and Phyllis did the initial training in Bridgeport . Director Ed Gaudet and Asst. Director Marty Lynch were pleased with their initial results and coordinated this training to expand their Facilitator pool. In addition to the Adult Alternative to Incarceration Center, staff from the Community Youth House and Juvenile Services Reporting Center were trained as Facilitators. The staff represented a cross-section of backgrounds and offered a variety of services to clients. Ed and Chris were excited that the staff recognized how KIV could be customized to easily integrate into their existing programming. Kudos to the administration, Ed, Marty, and their staff who have a commitment to offer empowering programs to their clients.