Social-Emotional Learning for Families (SELF) is a culturally responsive, strengths-based and trauma informed initiative to enhance and advance social-emotional learning (SEL)1 strategies among our families, children and communities in ways that deepen understanding, extend effective practice and promote healthy relationships.
SELF aims to increase awareness and support the development of social-emotional learning by using an integrated and complementary approach that includes:
(a) direct training and coaching with families, (b) consultation to child and family service providers, and (c) applied research models within a community-based-participatory framework.
Through a collaborative and exploratory approach our goal is to define, support and implement innovative program and active research that will lead to meaningful practice and impactful outcomes for the successful learning and health of all of our children and families living in diverse communities at a multi-generational level.
The following overarching objectives guide our work:
- To raise awareness of SEL information among a broad spectrum of families and practitioners through direct interactive engagement in order to increase knowledge in the community, as well as in the field of SEL studies.
- To advance the practice of SEL strategies within and for families by building on strengths, culturally grounded beliefs.
- To expand and explore opportunities for collaboration and partnership among family serving organizations and agencies using a SEL or SEL related approach to foster the growth, safety and overall wellness for all of our families.
SELF Co-Founders:
Karen T. Craddock, PhD Dee Spinkston, MEd Margaret Kiwanuka, MSW
Contact us at: sel4families@gmail.com
1 a process for learning life skills including how to understand oneself and relate with others in an effective manner; recognizing emotions and learning how to manage those feelings; developing sympathy and empathy for others, and maintaining positive relationships… (adapted from CASEL http://casel.org/why-it-matters/what-is-sel/)
sel4families 