602/585-3535 Keys to Excellence, Inc. Summer, 1999

Beyond the Nine Dots: LET'S CELEBRATE

This spring we celebrated healing and life by taking a long awaited vacation. In the past two months, we have traveled to six countries and three states. Being students of human behavior, we enjoyed watching people of different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds respond to the world. As we observed, we were both struck by how similarly human beings behave, young and old, male and female, majority or minority. We sat in sidewalk cafes, and played a game of trying to guess what country passersby were from. Most of the time, this was an impossible task unless you could hear their language. We saw elderly couples obviously in love and those who were bored with each other. We saw children throw tantrums and be angelic. We saw parents who were loving and a couple who were abusive. There were the teenagers who looked awkward and those trying to be so cool. And we watched an eight-year-old Italian boy lick the food pictures on the menu, something our grandson probably would do.

So what? So, as we have been saying for 20 years, we are much more alike than we are different. A testament to the commonality of human issues is the continuing expansion of KIV into the greater American community. KIV has proven itself in the adult and juvenile justice systems of several countries. It has now begun its reach into alternative and regular public schools across the United States. Community coalitions of public and private service providers including probation and parole, health organizations, parenting agencies, and welfare and court services are getting involved in helping their clients make positive changes in their lives through KIV.

We are also celebrating Keys to Excellence's 20th anniversary of being in business. We appreciate you as partners with us in creating change for individuals, organizations, and communities. Together we make it possible for people from many walks of life to lead happier, healthier, and more positive lives. Let's continue working together for the next 20 years.

Warm regards,
Phyllis Antonelli and Ron Kuhn

Just a Reminder

The Scottsdale office of Keys to Excellence, Inc. has a new area code. As of April 1, 1999, our area code changed. Our new area code is 480. Our new telephone number is (480) 585-3535. Our fax number is (480)585-5578. Please remember to use these new numbers when trying to contact our office by telephone or fax. Ed Martinez's area code has also changed to 480. Contact Ed at (480)759-7885.

1999 Keys to Innervisions
Outstanding Staff Awards

Each year Keys, Inc. acknowledges staff who are doing exceptional work with Keys to Innervisions in three areas -- Facilitation, Master Facilitation, and President's Award for community or leadership performance. Each spring we ask for nominations from facilities across the country. If you have someone you would like us to consider next spring, send the nominations to the office. It is a difficult task to select only one person in each category because so many of you are doing very creative work with clients and communities. Please remember that each of these award winners represents each of you -- the skill and dedication you bring to empowering self and others. This year's recipients are:

Kathy Mahoney - Facilitator of the year

Kathy is a Facilitator at the Elkins Mountain School, a juvenile correctional facility in West Virginia. The Department of Education, under the direction of Frank Andrews, has been a national leader in the use of KIV and creative implementation. The state Core Planning Team nominated Kathy for the outstanding work she does with students. In April, Ron and Phyllis were invited by Frank to provide a day of leadership training to the principals from both juvenile and adult facilities. Kathy was presented her award at that meeting. Please join us in congratulating and thanking Kathy for her commitment to the youth she teaches.


Chris Kuhn - Master Facilitator of the Year

This year Chris' contributions to the staff and youth of his facility, Youth Development Institute, and his continued growth as a trainer for Keys, Inc. merit national recognition. Since he was trained as a Master Facilitator in 1993, he has done an exceptional job of integrating and role modeling KIV in various positions he has held. His sense of presence and humor in the trainer role enables training groups to be at ease and at their best while learning KIV. Having been raised in the basic concepts of the curriculum, Chris has many stories of application. Many of you know Chris from his participation in the video curriculum of KIV. Please join Keys, Inc. and David and Trish Cocoros, Directors of YDI, in congratulating Chris for the skill, creativity, and dedication he brings to KIV.



Christine Laquidara - President's Award

Throughout her career in the Educational Department of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, Chris has had a long relationship with Keys to Excellence, Inc. She was certified as a Master Facilitator of KIV in 1993 and has provided training for both New Jersey Adult and Juvenile Corrections. Her unique experiences include facilitating KIV with adult women inmates at Edna Mann Correctional Facility, and she has used the curriculum to enhance the sports performance of a women's college basketball team. In her past position as Educational Specialist in the Office of the Chief of Staff, Chris provided mentoring and guidance to five adult correctional facilities who are using KIV. Recently, she was instrumental in enabling the 15 Superintendents and Directors of Custody to participate in a Keys to Innervision's Administrative Training. In addition to her leadership, Chris is a wonderful role model in using the KIV concepts in her professional and personal life. This spring she was appointed Director of Education for her department, and she is a great resource for those of you who want tips for creating change in a large bureaucratic system. Please join us in thanking Chris for her outstanding contributions to the staff and clients in New Jersey.



Master Facilitator Certification:
A New Group of KIV Leaders

In May, Keys, Inc. held a Master Facilitator Intensive Workshop in Scottsdale, AZ. We had the opportunity to train and interact with four dynamic candidates from across the country. During the 46 hour training process, the words "grueling" and "demanding" were heard more than once. However, as the group melded together and integrated new skills daily, it was clear that the pain was worth the gain. Pictured with Ed Martinez, Ron Kuhn, and Phyllis Antonelli are the following Master Facilitators: Jessie Duncil, West Virginia Dept. of Education; Pat Huffman, 12th Judicial District, Concordia County Kansas; Elbert Grimes, Arkansas DYS; and Betty Hare, Mohave County Probation Dept., Arizona.

Keys, Inc. is exploring the possibility of a Master Facilitator Training in the Fall of 1999. If you are interested in registering for this class, please contact Phyllis Antonelli to review requirements.

West Virginia Master Facilitators Shine!

The West Virginia Department of Education has selected and trained the most dynamic group of Master Facilitators in the KIV network. Not only do each of these trainers do an exceptional job facilitating KIV to youth throughout the correctional facilities in the state, they each play an active role in their state Core Planning Team. Under their guidance, they have applied for and received approval for KIV to be accredited by the State Board of Education. This means youth will receive school credit for taking KIV. The team has also been instrumental in expanding the KIV network in West Virginia to detention centers and public schools, In April, Phyllis and Ron spent a day with the team providing refresher and recertification training. It was a delightful day. Kudos to Frank Andrews, Director, and Susan Lattimer, Coordinator, for enabling this team to thrive! Pictured are Sue Simms-Massey, Shauna Jones, Helen Bean, Bobbie Moore, Vince Phelps, Phyllis Antonelli, Jessie Duncil and Angela Grisso.

Louisiana Master Facilitators are Recertified

Keys, Inc. requires that all Master Facilitators go through a recertification process every two years. Tawni Jones and Kim Tremblay, Master Facilitators for the Methodist Children's Home in Louisiana, recently completed recertification requirements. Since their initial certification in 1997, Tawni and Kim have provided leadership and training for their agency. Tawni also had a new baby, and Kim got married. Recertification requires presenting a new KIV idea, and Tawni and Kim presented very creative exercises. See their training tips in the "Beyond the Rocks" section of this newsletter. Keys, Inc. appreciates the commitment of Tawni and Kim in updating their skills in KIV and acknowledges Dan Prior, Director of MCH, for enabling his staff to participate in the recertification process.

Beyond the Rocks
Client Stories

From Mid-State Correctional Facility in New Jersey an adult client wrote: I am 45 years old. I loved KIV. It helped me be more positive, confident in myself, stay in control of my temper, and deal with prison life.

Arizona Dept. of Juvenile Corrections -- the female students at Black Canyon School put together a wonderful collection of writings by students and staff called, "Keeping Our Heads Afloat."Examples of their poignant writings are:

Goal: To let no one get me down.
Self-Talk: I am respectful.
Affirmation: I am thankful to be born in this world, to have respect toward others, and be kind to others because I am thankful.

Goal: Do my Best.
Self-talk: I am strong.
Affirmation: I am pleased to be doing my best, following directions, and listening to staff because I am capable of doing so.

Affirmations, goals are written to motivate us and cultivate our futures. Remembering that what you think, so shall it be... Always have a Plan... Everything you want is not always what you need... Anything is possible. Staff of Black Canyon School.

Training Tips

Kim Tremblay, Master Facilitator, Louisiana, asked all the staff in their facility to submit their favorite quotes that provide motivation for handling life, reaching goals, etc.

Kim asked her students in KIV to attach the meaning of the quotes to specific units of KIV. This process promoted staff involvement and provided the students with new ways to think about the curriculum.

Tawni Jones, Master Facilitator, Louisiana, created the Wheel of KIV -- a takeoff on the Wheel of Fortune game. The purpose of the game is to provide refresher training for staff or clients.

Materials needed: KIV book, different colored markers, two poster boards (one for the base, and a cut circle for the wheel), a bracket to hold the wheel onto the board base, and index cards for the KIV trivia. The questions span four categories: Red-Power Tool question; Green-Power Phrases question; Blue-Situations: Orange-Miscellaneous questions from throughout the book; bankrupt space; and a bonus space.

Split the group into two teams. Students take turns spinning for their team. The team that spins will get two minutes to answer the question, and they can use their book. If the spinning team cannot answer the question, then the other team has a chance to answer the question. If the teams look confused by the question, then the facilitator can use that as a teaching moment.

The questions vary in difficulty. Each question is worth a point; the bonus space is worth 2 points; the bankruptcy space means they lose all points. This is a great opportunity to stop negative talk, learn to play at the edge of your skill, stop others and yourself, and remember your past is not your potential when you spin again. You can play to any number of points. 15 points will take about 1 hour.

This is a great refresher for the clients and facilitators. They love the game. The winning team gets candy or other small prizes.

NEWS FROM MOHAVE COUNTY PROBATION

Bob and Betty Hare, Master Facilitators wrote this article in their KIV Mohave County, Arizona Newsletter, "The Affirmation."

When teaching goal writing and affirmations, watch out for any knots that can keep your client from seeing where they are going. Knots in our muscles cause tension throughout our body and keep us from moving freely. Knots in a garden hose keep the water from flowing. When a goal or affirmation is stated telling what is not wanted rather than what is wanted, it will not encourage movement in a positive direction. For example, a goal to not smoke (or drink, or lie, or steal) tells what is not wanted. A goal to be nicotine free, alcohol free, truthful, or honest, shows what is wanted, a positive goal to move toward.

The same is true of affirmations. The affirmation, "I feel proud to be not biting my nails, not arguing with my parents, and not getting into trouble because I am in control," becomes much more powerful when it reads: "I feel excited to have pretty fingernails, to be getting along with my parents, and following the rules because I am in control."

Help your clients to form positive, forward moving goals and affirmations. Keep them free of Knots (nots). Have them tell you what they want, instead of what they don't want.