Program Goals

The goals of Another Way…Choosing to Change (AWCTC) are:

• Eliminate all relationship violence
• Apply nonviolent conflict resolution strategies
• Accept personal responsibility for controlling relationship abuse behaviors, and reject victim-blaming
• Learn positive, effective communication strategies
• Transform coercive and controlling behaviors into positive, egalitarian behaviors
• Recognize all people have dignity and value and are deserving of respectful interactions
• Engage in restorative practices whenever practical and possible
• Appreciate “differences” are not “wrong” and value the uniqueness of others
• Be mindful of thoughts and feelings so as to recognize cognitive distortions and errors in thinking
• Learn the benefits of forgiveness, acceptance, and healing from trauma

Logic Model

The program representative did not provide information about a Logic Model for Another Way…Choosing to Change.

Essential Components

The essential components of Another Way…Choosing to Change (AWCTC) include:

• Designed as a group intervention and can be delivered virtually
• Micro-groups:
• Defined as small groups of 4-5 participants seated in table settings for maximum socialization and problem-solving opportunities
• Break-out rooms are used with virtual delivery of the material
• Highly recommended and, if utilized, can provide services for 15-18 participants (3-4 micro-groups) with two co-facilitators
• Facilitators need to use whiteboards/flip chart paper to capture responses to help visual learners.
• Activity packets:
• Can be downloaded at no cost
• Laminated versions available for purchase
• Used to implement the variety of learning, engagement activities to reach kinesthetic learners
• Resources to show video clips required:
• Projectors or monitors
• Internet access (YouTube or Google downloads) or flash drives with downloaded videos
• DVD player for two of the videos
• Curriculum is divided into five phases (six phases for women’s edition and Spanish) with skill-based lessons followed by process groups.
• Curriculum is effective with either closed or open enrollment.
• Participants handbooks are written at the 5th grade reading level, with fill-in blank format to mirror the facilitator’s guide.
• Objective measurement scales are available in both male and female editions to ascertain changes in beliefs, behaviors, and reductions in denial and minimization.
• The original program is divided into Five Phases with 10 lessons each. Nine are skill-based, followed by a process group (women’s edition and Spanish edition have more frequent process groups).
• Sample of Topics:
• Anger
• Time-outs vs taking off
• Communication styles
• Gender roles
• Cycle of violence
• Forgiveness
• Personality types
• Emotional abuse
• Financial abuse
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and resiliency
• Effects on children
• Feelings and thought replacement techniques
• Love & jealousy
• Effects of substance abuse
• Socialization of violence
• Emotional intelligence
• Cognitive distortions
• Stereotypes and beliefs
• Stress management
• Grief and loss
• Negotiating conflict
• Resolving conflict
• Stalking
• Attachment issues

Program Delivery

Adult Services

Another Way…Choosing to Change directly provides services to adults (regardless of whether they are parents or caregivers) and addresses the following:

• Abusive behaviors and beliefs, intimate partner-related violence, anger management issues

Recommended Intensity:

2-hour sessions, delivered weekly or biweekly

Recommended Duration:

6 months to 1 year

Delivery Settings

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Outpatient Clinic
• Community-based Agency / Organization / Provider
• Group or Residential Care
• Justice Setting (Juvenile Detention, Jail, Prison, Courtroom, etc.)
• School Setting (Including: Day Care, Day Treatment Programs, etc.)
• Shelter (Domestic Violence, Homeless, etc.)
• Virtual (Online, Telephone, Video, Zoom, etc.)

Homework

Another Way…Choosing to Change includes a homework component:

Daily Monitors are designed to have participants “monitor” their own behavior based on lesson materials they have learned (e.g., coping behaviors, anger responses, identifying feelings, looking for positives in their spouse and children, communication styles, etc.). They are also to log meditation/calming behaviors they have practiced daily.

Additionally, they are provided with the class objectives and asked to consider and return to the facilitator their responses to 1) What was new, interesting, and/or helpful to you in this session? 2) What did you learn about yourself? 3) What will you do differently in your life as a result?

Languages

Another Way…Choosing to Change has materials available in a language other than English:

Spanish

For information on which materials are available in this language, please check on the program's website or contact the program representative (contact information is listed at the bottom of this page).

Resources Needed to Run Program

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

• Facilitator Guide
• Participant workbooks
• Whiteboard/flip chart
• Flip chart papers for activities
• Room with round/square tables to set 4-5 participants each for up to 18 participants
• Television/DVD player
• Access to internet or flash drive for showing video clips
• Activity packet (free download or laminated for purchase);
• Art supplies and miscellaneous items for various activities
• Group facilitator(s)

Manuals and Training

Prerequisite/Minimum Provider Qualifications

California requires a basic 40-hr training for facilitators and 104 hours of internship to meet PC1203.097 certification standards.

There are no educational requirements to implement this curriculum which can be implemented by a range of educational levels from PhDs to peer educators.

Manual Information

There is a manual that describes how to deliver this program.

Program Manual(s)

Manual details:

• Yorke, N. J. (2020). Another Way...Choosing to Change facilitator guide (3rd ed.). Cognella Publishing https://titles.cognella.com/another-way-choosing-to-change-9781516581580

Training Information

There is training available for this program.

Training Contact:

• Nada Yorke
  yorkeconsulting.com/trainings
  info@yorkeconsulting.com
  phone: (661) 549-0089

Training Type/Location:

Basic training (40-hr) and Phase 1 & 2 Fidelity training provided virtually. Onsite training is available for organizations of 10 persons or more.

Number of days/hours:

Training hours range from 40-hr basic to 16-hr (fidelity) advanced training. 40-hr basic training can be provided via a training platform, coupled with zoom consultation.

Formal implementation support and fidelity monitoring is also available. Contact the Training Contact above for more information.

Implementation Information

Pre-Implementation Materials

There are no pre-implementation materials to measure organizational or provider readiness for Another Way…Choosing to Change.

Formal Support for Implementation

There is formal support available for implementation of Another Way…Choosing to Change as listed below:

Implementation support is available through email, Zoom conferencing, telephone calls, Facebook Private Group Page, and Inner Circle Gatherings (free and paid memberships). A fidelity training series (phase 1- 3) is offered. Fidelity monitoring, leadership coaching, and program effectiveness evaluations are also provided.

Fidelity Measures

There are fidelity measures for Another Way…Choosing to Change as listed below:

Fidelity trainings are offered 3-6 times per year (Entry level 3 times/ Advanced level 3 times) with certificates of completion. Self-report measurements and consultation are available as needed via private or membership plans. Microtraining videos are also available. Please see www.yorkeconsulting.com for more information.

Implementation Guides or Manuals

There are no implementation guides or manuals for Another Way…Choosing to Change.

Implementation Cost

There are no studies of the costs of Another Way…Choosing to Change.

Research on How to Implement the Program

Research has not been conducted on how to implement Another Way…Choosing to Change.

Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research

Child Welfare Outcome: Child/Family Well-Being

Additional References