lwhs-m2-fg by Life Access Technology Trust

Joe Gets Help Facilitator's Guide

The Long Way Home Male Book 2

Joe Gets Help Instructions for Facilitators How to use this Facilitator's Guide LEARNER-GENERATED MATERIALS ("LGM") A Shellbook is not a normal textbook. It is an educational resource framework developed by topic experts. Educators use these "learning shells" to help students develop and "micropublish" their own teaching and learning materials, for their own use. The Shellbook Method: Patterned Oral Paraphrase (POP) Educationally, the most inclusive Shellbooks are illustrated stories -- or case studies like the one in this shell -- that use a sequence of pictures without text to guide discussion about a topic. The teaching method used is called "Patterned Oral Paraphrase" or "POP". When facilitators use the POP method to localize a Shellbook, everyone in a community can get involved, whether they have attended school or not, even if they can't read. Here's what POP means: "Patterned" - A POP facilitator uses a sequence of special illustrations to guide discussion about a topic. This is called "memory patterning". First the facilitator talks about what's going on in the story using the illustrations. Then the facilitator talks about the story while pointing to details in each picture. This helps people think about and then remember the most important information when it is time for them to tell or write the story using the pictures. "Oral" - POP works best when the entire localization process is conducted orally. You should only use the Flashcard set when you facilitate a POP session. It's best to learn the material in this Facilitator's Guide before a POP session. Learn from it, and then do your presentation orally. You should only use the Flashcards with notes on the back for yourself. Also, you should not hand out "sample books" with text in them during a POP session. If you use written materials, it will be very difficult for nonreaders and "oral preference learners" to participate. In many settings, you may eliminate the participation of some of the most influential community leaders.

"Paraphrase" - Community facilitators should use memory patterning and oral discussion until community members understand new information thoroughly. Once that has been achieved, community members should be encouraged to paraphrase the concepts in terms that are clear, accurate, and natural in their own language, cultural viewpoint, and peer group. Through the use of POP, a Shellbook can also be adapted to any reading level. For new readers, keep the text simple and short like the sample text displayed in this and other Shellbook "resource editions." For experienced readers, authors may wish to add more text or questions to stimulate the readers' thinking about the topic. ________

Training Materials You Will Find For Each Illustration Each illustration represents a theme that may have training material of any (or all) of the following four types: 1. Things to point out or talk about as you show the picture Memory patterning requires thorough discussion of the key elements within each picture. Sometimes people will have different interpretations of what a picture means. It is good to discuss these, but in the end, the picture must be related back to the designated meaning for that theme. Each picture element should become a reminder for people to talk or write about a crucial point when a story is localized by a community. 2. Sample Questions The questions are designed to be used first by people who are localizing a story. The questions help them to think about ways to best express the story in their own language and cultural viewpoint. Later, the questions help people to understand the meaning of the story and reflect on how it affects them, their families, and others. 3. Something Important to think about Theses are key statements that should be brought into the conversation and discussed thoroughly.

4. Medical & Life Skills Information Related to This Topic There are many other excellent resources available on the topics in this Shellbook. You should study all of those that are provided, and be prepared to bring them into the discussion.

Final Note to Facilitators For the most impact, the learners in each group you lead should write the text for their version of this Shellbook, not you. But you must become one of the "expert resources" who helps to guide them in understanding and discussing the meaning and importance of this story for their own lives.

Male - Bk 2; page 2 DISCUSSION KEY: DEPRESSION THINGS TO POINT OUT OR TALK ABOUT AS YOU SHOW THE PICTURE: • • • •

Aunt Lovie died at the end of book 1 "Bad Decisions!" Now Joe sits alone in Lovie's kitchen after the funeral. Joe misses laughing and talking with her at mealtime. Without Aunt Lovie's Social Security check and food stamps, Joe doesn't know what he'll do. Joe hears the clock ticking behind him. It makes him think time is "running out" for him.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: • • • • • • •

How does Joe feel? Have you ever known someone who's been depressed? What are the signs of depression? What's the difference between sadness and depression? What can help someone who's depressed? When do you need to ask for help with depression? Where could Joe get help?

SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT: • •

The first step out of depression is to talk to someone besides yourself. You need to know when you need help.

Medical & Life Skills Information Related to This Topic Peer Educators, please review any related curriculum and other resources provided for you on this topic, and be prepared to discuss the following: •

Questions to screen for depression.

Male - Bk 2; page 3 DISCUSSION KEY: ASKING FOR HELP THINGS TO POINT OUT OR TALK ABOUT AS YOU SHOW THE PICTURE: • • •

The phone rings while Joe is sitting in Aunt Lovie's kitchen. It is Lovie's social worker who doesn't know she has died. Joe tells him what has happened and asks for help for himself.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: • • • •

Was it hard for Joe to ask for help? Why? What if the social worker hadn't called? What if Joe hadn't asked for help?

SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT: •

It takes courage for a man to ask for help when he needs it. Many men are too proud.

Communication skills.

Male - Bk 2; page 4 DISCUSSION KEY: SELF-CONFIDENCE and WHERE TO GET HELP THINGS TO POINT OUT OR TALK ABOUT AS YOU SHOW THE PICTURE: • • • •

This picture is the social worker Joe is talking to on the phone. Aunt Lovie had told Joe about her diabetes, amputation, and how she felt about her own problems. Her example helped Joe to talk honestly about himself. Joe tells the social worker his problems: He's an exoffender. He's HIV-positive. He needs money. And he's almost out of his meds. The social worker sends Joe to a case manager.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: • • • •

Does Joe really need help from someone who specializes in HIV-related problems? How would Joe feel if the social worker couldn't help? If the social worker wasn't helpful, what could Joe do then? Would it be hard for you to ask for help -- even if you weren't an ex-offender?

•

If someone won't help you because you're an exoffender, what does that do to your self-confidence? Should their decision affect how you feel about yourself?

SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT: •

Be comfortable with who you are. What the other guy thinks is his problem.

The first places you can look for help after getting out of prison. Steps to help build confidence.

Male - Bk 2; page 5 DISCUSSION KEY: CASE MANAGER THINGS TO POINT OUT OR TALK ABOUT AS YOU SHOW THE PICTURE: • •

Joe is in the office of a local community services provider. He's talking with a case manager. A good case manager will know which clinics are most helpful for ex-offenders with HIV and AIDS.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: • • •

How could Joe find a case manager if the social worker hadn't been helpful? What are the first places to go for help after you get out of prison? Are there alternatives to having a case manager?

SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT: •

Good case managers are like good coaches. They can tell you what you need to do. They can tell you how to do it. But they can't do it for you.

Male - Bk 2; page 6 DISCUSSION KEY: ADAP THINGS TO POINT OUT OR TALK ABOUT AS YOU SHOW THE PICTURE: • • • • •

Joe decides to visit a clinic closer to home than the HIV clinic. But this clinic isn't very helpful. In prison, Joe went to the infirmary each day for his HIV medicine. He thought he could just walk into any clinic in the free world and they'd give him his meds! Before his release, he heard about "ADAP" (the "AIDS Drug Assistance Program"). But he didn't think he needed to bother with it.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: • • •

Should Joe have gotten help applying for ADAP before he was released? Is one clinic just as good as another for ex-convicts with HIV? What are some good ways to handle your anger?

SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT: • •

It's important to keep ALL the paperwork you get when you're released. If you don't have the paperwork, it may be much harder to get help on the outside. It's okay to get angry. If you handle it the right way, anger can be a tool, not trouble.

Trigger points for anger. Appropriate ways to be assertive. The pre-release ADAP application process. What to do post-release to get HIV medications.

Male - Bk 2; page 7 DISCUSSION KEY: MEDICATIONS THINGS TO POINT OUT OR TALK ABOUT AS YOU SHOW THE PICTURE: • • • • •

Joe is talking to a nurse at the clinic where his case manager sent him. She is counting the pills that Joe brought in. Joe got a 10-day supply of his HIV medicines when he was released. That was months ago. But Joe still has some pills left! The nurse is upset because Joe hasn't used up all of his meds. Joe is telling her that he was just trying to make them last! Joe didn't give up trying to get help. His patience and determination paid off.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: • • •

Joe was trying to be careful. Why is the nurse so concerned? What would happen to Joe's health if he just gave up and didn't go to the HIV clinic? Could Joe have gotten more medicine when he got out?

• •

Is it hard to be patient and determined when problems occur? What can you do to keep your patience and determination?

SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT: • • •

You must take your medicines exactly the way the doctor tells you to. Clinics and other groups have to follow rules. Be patient with them. Don't give up. If you have trouble getting help, keep asking. If a place won't help, ask, "Where should I check next?"

Simple explanation about how ARV dosages are determined and how they work

Male - Bk 2; page 8 DISCUSSION KEY: RESISTANCE THINGS TO POINT OUT OR TALK ABOUT AS YOU SHOW THE PICTURE: • • •

Joe also has to see the clinic's doctor. He explains how missing even one dose of meds can make them less effective. The doctor will need to run tests on Joe to decide what medicines Joe needs now. The medicines cost a lot of money. So the doctor makes sure Joe filled out an ADAP form.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: • • •

How should Joe feel about all the delays? Whose fault is it? Do you think most people understand what happens when they miss taking their medicines? Why does Joe need tests?

SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT: •

You may need to take more than one medicine to treat HIV.

• • •

Skipping your medicine will make HIV even harder to treat. You can't cure HIV but you can control it. Be patient.

Simple explanation of how resistance builds up and how it makes treatment more complex. What the medicines are like: Good effects, possible side effects and other information.

Male - Bk 2; page 9 DISCUSSION KEY: GOOD DIET THINGS TO POINT OUT OR TALK ABOUT AS YOU SHOW THE PICTURE: • • •

After Joe takes more medical tests, the doctor sends him in to talk to the clinic's dietician. The dietician explains that eating the right kind of food can make a big difference in how Joe feels, and whether he will stay healthy or not. Joe is worried that he won't have enough money for food now that Aunt Lovie is gone.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: • • • •

If Joe doesn't have money for food, where can he get help? Should he tell the dietician about his money problem? Why is it so important to eat right? Why don't more people eat the way they should to stay healthy?

SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT: •

There is an old saying, "You are what you eat!"

Basic nutrition facts. Why a good diet is especially important for people with HIV or other chronic conditions.

Male - Bk 2; page 10 DISCUSSION KEY: HANDLING CONFLICT THINGS TO POINT OUT OR TALK ABOUT AS YOU SHOW THE PICTURE: • • • • • • •

Joe goes back to Aunt Lovie's house. He's surprised to see his uncle there. He's shocked when his uncle starts yelling at him. The uncle says they're selling the house so Joe has to move. He calls Joe a moocher. The uncle had already put Joe's belongings on the porch. He tells Joe to get out right away.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: • • • • •

Was Joe mooching off Aunt Lovie? Was the uncle fair to Joe? How does Joe feel? Did Joe do the right thing when he didn't defend himself? What are some ways to control anger? Should Joe consider forgiving his uncle? If so, how can he do that?

SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT: • •

Winning every battle isn’t important. Instead, focus on making your life better. It can be hard to forgive someone. But it will keep anger from eating up your energy and time.

How to handle situations where you are treated unfairly.

Male - Bk 2; page 11 DISCUSSION KEY: FAIR TREATMENT THINGS TO POINT OUT OR TALK ABOUT AS YOU SHOW THE PICTURE: • • •

Aunt Lovie's next-door neighbor saw what happened to Joe. The neighbor knows that Joe helped Aunt Lovie. The neighbor offers to help Joe.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: • •

Was the uncle fair to Joe? Why would the neighbor help Joe?

SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT: •

To be fair, treat other people the way you want to be treated.

Male - Bk 2; page 12 DISCUSSION KEY: HELP FROM MANY PLACES THINGS TO POINT OUT OR TALK ABOUT AS YOU SHOW THE PICTURE: • • •

Lovie's neighbor takes Joe to a church's halfway house for ex-offenders. The chaplain tells Joe that they can help him with housing, food and clothing. They can also help him find a job. The halfway house is a community of people working to make their lives better. And Joe has joined.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: • • • • • •

Was Joe just "lucky"? Are these services available to all ex-offenders? Sometimes there isn't a halfway house. Where else could Joe find help? How do you find helpful services? What is a "community"? What are some signs of a healthy community?

SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT: â&#x20AC;˘

Every state has thousands of churches, agencies and other groups that want to and will help ex-offenders.

Contact information for ex-offender services.

Male - Bk 2; page 13 DISCUSSION KEY: LIFE CAN BE GOOD THINGS TO POINT OUT OR TALK ABOUT AS YOU SHOW THE PICTURE: • •

Joe is "jumping for joy" in this picture. He's happy that everything is working out for him.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: • • • •

Why are things working out for Joe? What will Joe need to do to keep his life on track? Many people who are like Joe end up back in prison. Why? Could Joe have made it this far without the help of other people?

SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT: •

You can be your own worst enemy or your own best friend. Plenty of people will help you do either one.

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