Any school or
community group can take the lead in installing ROPE®
in a community. Some communities provide ROPE® through the school
system, some through youth services or through a community organization
like the YMCA, and some make it a joint venture. Although it is
important to follow the ROPE® curriculum precisely, the timeframe
for implementation is flexible.
I. First Encounter: Community seeks information
about ROPE®
1. The Center is contacted – a community representative
speaks with Dr. David Blumenkrantz or an associate.
2. The Center sends information to the community representative.
3. Phone conversation(s) between Dr. Blumenkrantz and community
representative(s)
4. The Center shares ROPE® information materials with community
representatives.
5. Dr. Blumenkrantz and his team continue conversations with
small groups of community representatives, to facilitate community
networking and discuss community approach using the Rite of Passage Experience©.
6. Community representatives may request on on-site consultation
with a ROPE® associate for further discussion and planning.
Includes question and answer session.
II. Second Encounter: ROPE® Community
Orientation
A ROPE® associate meets with a large group of community representatives
to present the history of rites of passage, the consequences of
its absence for today’s youth, and its contemporary application
in promoting positive youth development, preventing youth problems,
and building a community’s capacity to collaborate within
a context that integrates existing community assets, resources
and programs.
This presentation also includes an exploration of the relationship
of rites of passage to a sense of community and an examination
of the practical aspects of implementing the philosophy of, “It
takes a whole village to raise a child.”
The ROPE® associate outlines a community process for creating,
implementing and sustaining a Rite of Passage Experience©
initiative.
III. Third Encounter: Creation & Development
of a Community-Wide ROPE® Steering Committee (20-40 adults &
youth)
Ongoing process to further understand the key elements of the
Rite of Passage Experience© initiative, driven by community
representatives with guidance by a ROPE® associate.
Begin identifying community assets to support implementation
of the ROPE® initiative.
Community representatives recruit a select core group of 12-16
people for a 40-hour ROPE® Facilitator Training. Their responsibility
will be to deliver Phase 1 of the ROPE® curriculum, and guide
and coordinate the activities for Phase 2 and Phase 3 of ROPE®.
This Core Group or ROPE® Steering Committee is made up of
both adults and youth representative of the diversity of the community.
It may include schoolteachers, guidance counselors, school administrators,
youth service workers, civic leaders, police, clergy, parents,
youth leaders, etc.
This ROPE® Steering Committee begins organizing the community
structure to support the implementation of the ROPE® initiative
– design, communication, actions, facilitators, etc.
The ROPE® Steering Committee holds a meeting (often an informal,
pot-luck dinner) during which a ROPE® associate facilitates
a series of experiential activities exposing these adults to student
skill building activities, and activities geared to build community
one relationship at a time.
IV. Fourth Encounter: Developing & Customizing
Phase 1 of the ROPE® Initiative (40 Hours of Training &
Guidance for the Steering Committee)
The ROPE® Steering Committee commits to a 40-hour ROPE®
training module designed to build their capacity to deliver Phase
1 of the ROPE® initiative to students. The first part of this
training focuses on understanding the importance of “play”
and its relationship to social competency, and on building a context
for after-school programs and community service.
The ROPE® Steering Committee continues to identify community
resources helpful to the process.
The ROPE® Steering Committee creates and finalizes the Teams
accountable for key aspects of the ROPE® initiative. Examples:
Communications (informing and inspiring the larger community to
participate), Design, Implementation, etc.
The ROPE® Steering Committee selects the first group of students
who will begin Phase I of the ROPE® initiative.
V. Fifth Encounter: Implementing & Sustaining
Phase I of the ROPE® Initiative & Developing Phase 2 and
Phase 3 (Steering Committee & Teams)
1. Phase 1 of the ROPE® initiative is implemented for the
initial group of students.
2. Ongoing ROPE® Steering Committee and Team meetings to
sustain and grow the initiative.
3. Ongoing trainings and technical assistance to support the
initiative.
4. Ongoing administrative support and engagement.
5. Ongoing development of community resources.
6. Ongoing commitment and actions to build community capacity
to implement and sustain Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the ROPE®
initiative.
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