R2 Resilience Program
Standard Manual for Populations In Need of Human Services
The R2 Resilience Program© for Populations In Need of Human Services is designed to strengthen the resilience of front-line staff and clients, with an emphasis on the practice needs of professionals and paraprofessionals working with individuals and families in need of support. In this manual, you and your client will find information about the resources required to build resilience.
The R2 Resilience Program© is unique with its focus on two types of protective factors that build resilience: the rugged qualities inside us and the external resources that provide us with the many kinds of support we need to thrive when stressed.
The Standard Manual for Populations In Need of Human Services contains a series of modules, one for each of the 16 protective factors (eight rugged qualities and eight resources) found to be most important for front-line staff and clients.
Resilience Factors Covered in this Program:
Each module contains key learning objectives, a summary of the science and case studies, as well as activities that can be used to help clients build resilience.
Rugged Qualities:
- Decision-Making – the ability to consider different options, evaluate those options, and pick a course of action to follow. Good decision-making skills help people adapt to changing circumstances and control their reactions.
- Goal-Setting – to carry out actions with a purpose in mind. Setting goals that match our motivations gives us a sense of purpose.
- Meaning-Making and Spirituality – to make our life purposeful. Meaning-making is defined as recognizing the significance or purpose of our lives, while spirituality refers to finding meaning in someone or something that is beyond ourselves.
- Motivation and Perseverance – the ability to continue behaving in ways that benefit us during difficult times. Motivation and perseverance mean getting back up after failing and continuing to try in the face of challenges.
- Optimism and Hope – the ability to focus on the positive and know that good things can happen. Optimists have faith that they can tackle their problems and that they are in control.
- Problem-solving – the ability to consider many different potential solutions to a problem and choose the best one. Problem-solving is a necessary component of conflict resolution and constructively coping with adversity.
- Self-efficacy – our belief in our ability to succeed in the face of challenges. With high self-efficacy, we know that we can solve our problems given enough time and resources.
- Self-esteem and Self-confidence – the ability to see ourselves as people who are worthy and capable. Self-efficacy and self-confidence are both qualities that we hold when we value and like ourselves, especially when faced with tasks that must get done.
Resources:
- A Supportive Peer Group – beginning and maintaining relationships with supportive peers. Peers, whether neighbors, friends or colleagues at work, offer companionship and a sense of connection, as well as social support during challenges.
- Access to Mental and Physical Health Care – the extent to which people can get adequate services in a timely manner. Access to quality mental and physical health care improves our wellbeing, which makes us better able to manage stressful life events.
- Education and Training – developing new knowledge or skills. Education and training can offer us opportunities to find likeminded people and contribute to our community.
- Housing, Supports, and Connectivity – safe, supportive homes and neighbourhoods provide us with some of the resources we need to avoid mental and physical health problems. The more control we feel we have over our homes and the more connected we feel to the community, the more secure we feel as well.
- Physical Safety and Public Security – feeling safe and secure depends on both how others treat us as well as how we see the world, what we value, and how we behave. Physical safety and public security are important for our sense of wellbeing.
- Opportunities to Use One’s Talents – knowing our strengths allows us to understand the things we excel at and use our skills to contribute to the wellbeing of others. Talents are things we can do well, with a high likelihood that we will succeed.
- Relationships with Others in One’s Community – having positive relationships with others helps us feel like we belong in our community and increases our self- efficacy. Our social capital is the network of relationships that we build over time that is available when we need help dealing with a crisis.
- Transportation – the private or public movement of people or things from one place to another. When we have access to efficient and reliable transportation, it’s easier for us to access the resources we need to live a happy and healthy life.
