COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This workshop will address broad concepts related to emotional intelligence with direct practical application to relationship with co works and with those served by the institution. Special attention and focus will be on working with individuals and families who have been impacted by generational poverty. The overall concept is this if we better understand our own reactions to what we see in front of us in terms of the attitudes and actions of others, we will better be able to move beyond initial impressions, often leading to judgement, and work towards understanding and building effective and supportive relationships that will ultimately improve outcomes and reduce work related stress. This workshop will focus on practical applications for use by participants.

PRESENTER BIO:

Jim was a school psychologist serving rural schools in eastern Iowa for 36 years and continues to work and consult with schools and social service agencies in the Dubuque area. He is an independent consultant focusing on issues related to mental health, human relationships and addressing poverty at the individual , agency and community level. Jim is a national consultant for AHA!Process, Inc. (Bridges Out Of Poverty). Jim is the author of a book with Dr. Ruby Payne addressing emotional intelligence: navigating emotional realities with adults. Jim is also a community ambassador for the True Charity Network. Jim was co-founder and leader of a community anti-poverty initiative in Dubuque, IA for 13 years. Jim lives in Dubuque with his wife of 41 years. Jim and Teresa have four adult children and seven grandchildren.

LEARNING OUTCOME:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to address theories and concepts of human behavior in the social environment though emotional intelligence which involves better understanding of one’s own and others' emotions, reaction and behavior. Understand the importance of developing mutual respect between individuals and groups, justice (for me, best understood as “the way things ought to be”) is the natural result. Cultural competency and diversity will be understood by attendees and will focus on generational poverty, but the content will be applicable to any cultural differences

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• Participants will increase their knowledge of the social learning and neurological underpinnings of their own and other's emotional reactions to stress.
• Participants will have a framework for understanding behaviors in others that they find challenging.
• Participants will have at least three specific actions they can take to improve their own emotional intelligence.
• Participants will gain communication skills for work with clients/customers from different backgrounds.