Behavorial Health Initiative Action Team
Action Team Goal
The Enhancing Social Emotional Competencies Action Team aims to develop a shared understanding around social emotional learning (SEL) and the 5 core social emotional competencies (SECs). They also aim to help individuals identify their role in supporting these competencies within themselves and among those around them across the lifespan.
Targeted Problem
While social emotional competencies can play a critical role in promoting wellbeing and resiliency, individuals outside of educational environments are often unfamiliar with this concept. In addition, individuals and organizations across sectors are often unaware of what their role is in promoting SECs. There is a misconception that SECs are only beneficial when promoted and taught during childhood and adolescence, rather than across the lifespan. Additionally, there is not currently common language or a shared understanding around the five core SECs, resulting in a general lack of understanding and misinterpretation of information around this topic across sectors.
Our Collective Work
To help the region develop a shared understanding of what social emotional learning (SEL) is and its 5 core competencies, the Enhancing Social Emotional Learning Action Team has developed several educational resources, including brochures and posters for targeted audiences. Find the resources created by the team below. A list of the Action Team members who contributed to this work can also be found below.
Creating a Shared Understanding and Language Around Social Emotional Learning
To help the region develop a shared understanding and language around social emotional learning, the Enhancing Social Emotional Competencies Action Team has developed a talking points document that provides users with an overview of the 5 core competencies and how they benefit the community when they are supported among individuals.
Developing Educational Resources for the Community
The Enhancing Social Emotional Competencies Action Team created a poster in 2 different sizes for stakeholders to display in their lobbies and waiting rooms. The poster includes a general overview of the importance of social and emotional skill development and what individuals can do to support those skills within themselves and the people around them.
Developing Educational Resources for Parents and Caregivers
The Enhancing Social Emotional Competencies Action Team developed a brochure for parents and caregivers that provides tips on how a child’s social emotional skill development can be supported and the positive outcomes of having children with strong social emotional skills.
Design and Implementation Team Members
Since 2021, 22 stakeholders in the NW MI region have been engaged in the work of this Action Team.
Leader
- Carol Greilick – Northwest Education Services
Members
- Gina Aranki – Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan
- Heidi Maltby-Skodack – Traverse City Area Public Schools
- Misti Warner – Traverse City Area Public Schools
- Tina Splan – Bear River Health
- Gracie Kierczynski – District Health Department #10
- Bianca Sharp – District Health Department #10
- Jessica Harrand – Buckley Area Public Schools
- Stephanie Williams – Munson Healthcare
- Heather Luttrell – Networks Northwest
- Laura Mispelon – MSU Extension
- Nicole Nelson – District Health Department #10
- MaryAnn Short – MOBBI
- Lisa Meyer – Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District
- Peg Ramsdell – Community Member
- Ty Schmidt – Good Works Lab & Traverse City Area Public Schools
- Ellen Templeton – Health Department of Northwest Michigan
- Amy Burk – Communities in Schools of Northwest Michigan
- Lori Bulls – Manistee Area Public Schools
- Lisa Baxter – Priority Health
- Samantha Steineback – Mesick Consolidated Schools
- Heather Muha – Benzie Leelanau District Health Department
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SUPPORT OUR WORK?
- Download and print the Build Strong Social Skills to Ignite Success poster and display it in your organization’s lobby or waiting room to help spread awareness and create a shared understanding of the importance of supporting the development of strong social emotional skills across the lifespan.
- Print the Empower Your Kids brochure and distribute it to the parents and caregivers you serve.
- Talk to your colleagues and those in your network about the importance of social emotional competencies.
