Introduction to the Motivation System Pre-Service Workshop Definition of the Motivation System A behavior management system designed to provide a systematic, positive approach for motivating a youth to engage in behaviors that aid in his/her future success. Rationales for using the Motivation System • Promotes systematic and consistent treatment • Systematic method of delivering positive and negative consequences. • Record of treatment and youth progress. Goals of the Motivation System • To motivate youth to work toward goals and learn new skills. • To create awareness that behaviors generate consequences (cause and effect relationship). • To provide a way of delivering rewards and consequences that will be effective, but also allow the youth to remain in the community during treatment. • To help the youth move from high structure and artificial reinforcers to low structure and natural reinforcers. • To eliminate points. To increase youth's internal motivation and reliance on natural rewards and contingencies. Types of Motivation • Positive and Negative – Positive = youth only earns points for appropriate behaviors. – Negative = youth only loses points for inappropriate behaviors. (demerit system) – Positive and negative = youth earns points for positive behavior and loses points for negative behavior. • Flexibility – Inflexible = specified number of points available. Once lost they can't be regained. – Flexible = limitless ways of earning and losing points. Anything lost can be regained. • The Teaching Family Model motivation system is both positive/negative and flexible. Advantages of system that is both positive/negative as well as flexible 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Allows us to increase appropriate behaviors through positive reinforcement. We can simultaneously decreases inappropriate behavior through response cost. We can target unlimited behaviors. We can provide constant feedback to youth. Allows us to teach youth how to accept criticism and feedback. Allows us to pair artificial consequences with both positive and negative natural consequences (poor grade may earn negative points and extra study time). It allows us to take an overall positive approach to treatment. Youth can always earn back part of what was lost (positive correction). This system is less restrictive. The youth's behavior determines the level of restrictiveness. Material Reinforcers • Examples: money, candy, clothing, toys, tokens, stickers, etc. • Disadvantages – expensive – limited in number – not usually immediate – difficult to match size to behavior Privileges or activities • Examples: movies, TV, phone, radio, games – Advantages • inexpensive, you have them in your home • usually don't require conditioning, youth already like these things • variety – Disadvantages • must be delivered all at once – can not customize the size (how can you give half a movie?) • easily used up (satiation) • limited in number • not always immediate • difficult to deliver due to cost, scheduling Social reinforcers • Examples: praise, smiles, physical affection, attention, high fives, etc. • Advantages – – – – – – – – always available (although some of us are stingy with them) natural free not easily used up difficult to satiate someone immediate contingent (only delivered for desired behavior) can become conditioned rein forcers Social reinforcers • Disadvantages – – – Not initially reinforcing for most of our youth (not conditioned or significant enough until youth has developed relationship with you). This is why we pair social reinforcers with points (natural with artificial). Using social reinforcers helps us build relationships with youth and teaches them (through modeling) how to use social reinforcers with others. Tokens • Examples: points, poker chips, stars on star chart, smiley faces, etc. • Advantages – – – – – – – – – – Immediately earned or lost Infinite - unlimited opportunity to teach Doesn't infringe on youth rights if taken away Can equal behavior (size) Easily recorded, convenient Flexible - represents the most meaningful privilege to each youth Tangible - youth knows where he stands at all times Contingent - only delivered for desired behavior Controllable - you determine the amount Can be re-earned (positive correction) • Disadvantages – Must be conditioned – Artificial, not natural – Must be faded out to promote generalization Social Learning Theory Principles • Immediacy = points given or teaching started within 60 seconds after the behavior occurs. • Contingency = points only awarded if the desired behavior occurs. Privileges contingent on points accumulated. • Size = match the amount of points to the difficulty of the behavior, significance, time needed, and opportunities to engage in the behavior. Social Learning Theory Principles • Deprivation = the youth must experience not earning privileges occasionally, this will motivate the youth to earn privileges. • Satiation = The youth won't get tired of earning points. This is prevented because of the number and variety of back up reinforcers (privileges). • Response cost = negative points or loss of privileges • Reinforcement = positive points, social reinforcement, privileges • Conditioning = pairing points with privileges so that the points become reinforcing. Introducing Youth to the Skills Card • Give reasons for using the skills card (to identify youth’s strengths and weaknesses, teach connection between behavior and consequences, to provide frequent feedback about behaviors, to earn privileges, etc) • Show youth how to fill out skills card correctly • Teach youth how he earns positive and negative points • Discuss how the youth can seek opportunities to earn points • Teach youth how to accept positive and negative point consequences and practice. Figure 2E Skills Card Mechanics 1. Types of interactions Social skills teaching = _______ Academic skills teaching = ______ Independent living skills teaching = ______ Positive to negative ratio = __________ Target teaching skills = _________ Skills Card Mechanics 2. Number of interactions Primary Treatment Parent = ______ Secondary Treatment Parent = ______ Daily youth = _____ interactions/day Weekly youth = _____ interactions/day Subsystem youth = _____ interactions/day Skills Card Mechanics 3. Quality of interactions Behaviorally specific = _____ labeled and specific _____ recorded Positive correction = youth has a chance to immediately earn back _____ _____ after earning negative points Appropriateness of consequences = determined by youth’s _____ system level and type of skill. Skills Card Mechanics 4. Teaching to academic skills on card In _____ own handwriting Neat, legible, _____ correctly _____ correct Card filled out _____, accurately, free from stains, doodles, etc Card Conference 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Youth totals up skills card, determines daily difference Treatment Parent checks the card for accuracy General praise of major positive behaviors Brief discussion of major problem behaviors, preventative teaching If youth did earn privileges, PRAISE If youth did not earn privileges: a) use a mater-of-fact voice and brief empathy b) give encouragement and set goals for the next day Ask youth to fill out new skills card Treatment Parent praises youth for participation in card conference and awards positive points for this Practicing Using Point Cards Label the type of skill: S, A, or IL. • Following Instructions • Accept No • Completing Job Application • Daily Chore • Reading Newspaper • School Behavior • Disagree Appropriately • Greeting Skills • Study Hour • Menu Planning Label each phrase as a Curriculum Skill (S) or specific behavior (B). • ask permission • personal hygiene • said "okay, sure" • Volunteering • roll eyes, yell • brushed teeth and hair • rational problem solving • sighed, walked away • good eye contact • accepting compliment Fill out the sample point card after listening to examples from the trainer Daily and Weekly Point Systems Daily and Weekly Systems Defined • Daily System: – Daily is a restrictive level of the motivation system with fewer available privileges. A youth buys a privilege package each day. The teaching emphasis is on the four basic skills. • Weekly System: – Weekly is a less structured level of the motivation system which allows for more privileges and responsibility. Separate privileges are purchased once a week for various point amounts. The teaching emphasis is on more advanced and individualized skills. Rationales for Daily and Weekly DAILY Helps youth learn new behaviors WEEKLY Delayed gratification Basic skills are focus More advanced skills are focus Shaping of small but vital behaviors Provides opportunity for intermittent reinforcement Cause and effect is paired with response cost Approximation to real life Time to pre-teach many skills More privileges for fewer points Daily System Mechanics • • Definition: Youth earn points for a ___________ to buy privileges for the next_______________ Privileges: Youth purchase privileges as a ______________(all or nothing). .Privileges available are: Basics, snacks, T.V., telephone, free time I, allowance I. • Points: Privileges cost__________. Extra points can be added to the youths' system standing or saved in a "point savings" account and used for____________ ____________ Daily Point Range: ________________points for appropriate behaviors with __________being the typical amount. Maintenance tasks and practice role plays are worth fewer points than social skills. For minor inappropriate behaviors, ______________is the norm. The youth earns up to half back with positive correction, so the net loss is only______________________ When deciding how much behavior is "worth." remember the principle of size and take into account: the difficulty of the______________, ________________it took to do the skill or task, opportunities to engage in the______________ • Teaching Emphasis: Most teaching occurs in _________________skills. Treatment Parents would average _______________interactions per day. Treatment Parents use ______________reinforcement. • Zero Rule: If the youth's point total on the card drops below zero at any time during the day, privileges are suspended immediately, pending a ______________ _____________. • Successful Completion: Youth reaches system standing. Youth is able to use ____________ _____________80% of the time. Youth has earned privileges _______ consecutive days. Treatment Parent and Consultant approval. • Next System: Weekly Privilege Menu • • • • • • Basics: The youth has the freedom to walk around the house, have free time in his room, do fun activities in the house like playing board games, playing the piano, etc. Snacks: The youth can have snacks in addition to the three meals per day. These are often more reinforcing when they are paired with social time, i.e., popcorn while playing a game, ice-cream while visiting together. Electronic Media: The youth can play video games, hand held games, listen to the radio/CD’s/iPod, watch T.V., however, this doesn't mean unlimited T.V. time. The Treatment Parent monitors the amount of time and type of programs, considering what is reasonable and age-appropriate. Some discretion may be used for music content as well. Telephone: The youth can make local phone calls to friends. This is separate from the contact with family, caseworker, and attorney that the youth has a right to at all time, unless he is out of instructional control. Free Time I: The youth has free time in the yard and in the general vicinity of the house (visible from the house). Free Time II: The youth has free time away from the home to participate in an activity without direct supervision such as going to the mall, going to a movie, walking to the store to buy a snack, etc. The youth must have a definite activity in mind and a time limit, he can't just "hang out" somewhere. Privilege Menu (cont.) • • • • • Allowance: Daily youth earn 50 cents each day they earn their privileges. The allowance is paid weekly - maximum of $3.50. Weekly youth may buy $3.50 at the end of the week for 3,000 points. Allowance II: Weekly youth may buy an additional $1.50 at the end of the week for 5,000 points. Bonds: Weekly youth may buy bonds at the end of the week for 3,000 each bond. Bonds are use to advance to the Achievement System. Once purchased, bonds cannot be spent. All bonds are lost for running away. Specials: The youth can use extra points saved in his "point savings" account to purchase special privileges such as renting a video, having own breakfast cereal, special shampoo, etc. The "cost" of these items are negotiated with the Treatment Parents. Daily youth may not purchase extra allowance or Free Time II since these are Weekly privileges. Note: Even though youth have earned privileges, they still need to ask permission to use them. When youth do not have privileges, their time is very structured. They must stay in the vicinity of the Treatment Parent doing assigned tasks such as role-playing, report writing, extra chores, extra homework, etc. Point Savings Sheet Suggested Savings Menu Purchase Price 1,000 2,000 2,000 3,000 3,500 3,750 Item Purchased 3 small candies or 1 large candy 15 minutes extra video game time ½ hour extra bedtime buy out of daily chores (1/wk) $1 value for purchase 1 hour extra bedtime Extra Point Suggestions Weekly System Mechanics • • • • • • • Definition: Youth earn points for a ___________ period to buy privileges for the next week. Privileges: Youth purchase privileges_______________. Privileges available are: Basics, snacks, electronic media, telephone, free time I and II, allowance I and II, bonds. Points: The youth totals up points every day, however, privileges are bought once a week. ________evening is best time for weekly conference. The first 5 privileges must be bought ________ _______. After the first 5 are purchased in order, additional privileges can be purchased in any order. When a youth ends the week with extra points, these may be saved in a "point savings" account to be used for ___________privileges. Youth begin a new week with zero points. When a youth ends the week with a negative total, those points go to “______________ ______________”. A “__________" is a required amount the youth must earn every day to keep his weekly privileges and helps the youth work on having appropriate behavior all week, instead of taking it easy at the beginning of the week. With a bridge of 1,000 to 6,000 points, the youth has the points needed to buy privileges at the end of the week. The bridge is reduced as youth gets closer to moving to the Achievement System. Weekly System Mechanics (cont.) • • • • • • • Weekly Points Ranges: Typically points are _________the daily amount for appropriate behavior and the same for inappropriate behavior. Teaching Emphasis: Most teaching occurs in ___________ behaviors. Treatment Parents should average________ interactions per day. Treatment Parents use __________reinforcement. Zero rule: If the youth's weekly point total on the point sheet drops below zero, privileges are suspended at total-up, pending a return to___________ Successful Completion: Youth purchases _________bonds. – Youth is able to use _________skills 80% of the time. – Youth has been able to purchase first ________________privileges 3 consecutive weeks. – Treatment Parent and Consultant approval. Next System: Achievement. Point Sheet Make-up System • • • If a youth does not earn his daily or weekly privileges, the Treatment Parent has the option to offer the Make-up system. Daily youth: The youth must earn twice his daily difference (20,000). At the point in the day he reaches this amount, he pays 10,000 to purchase his privileges back for the rest of that day. This 10,000 is recorded on the negative side of the point card. The other 10,000 is used to purchase privileges for the next day. Weekly youth: If the youth was unable to buy any privileges at the end of the week (or can only buy a few), the youth can earn 5,000 points above his bridge or above an amount pre-determined by the Treatment Parent. At the moment he achieves this amount, he pays 5,000 (written on the negative side of the card) to purchase first 5 privileges until the next card conference. His bridge (or the amount predetermined by the Treatment Parent) will be added to his system standing to purchase the next week's privileges at the next card conference. He may purchase privileges back on a day-to-day basis. Additional Information about the Motivation System • Handling sick days: Treatment Parents have three ways to handle it when a youth is sick: – – – • Option 1 Pro-rating or averaging point total for the week and awarding that amount (good for weekly youth). Option 2 Award daily difference for skills such as taking care of health, eating something nutritious, getting rest, not using privileges, etc. (good for youth who are obviously sick). Option 3 Skip that day and the youth resumes where he left off (good if child didn't have privileges or you are in doubt about how sick he really is). Maximizing the effectiveness of your motivation systems: – – Treatment Parents should never pay off behavior with privileges. Always pay off behavior with points and then have the youth buy the privileges with the points. This strengthens your motivation system because the youth will want to earn points to get what they want. Never use yourself as a "punishment" for inappropriate behavior (i.e., shouting, name-calling, sarcasm, ignoring, hitting, etc.). Let the motivation system "punish" inappropriate behavior. This helps maintain positive relationships. ACHIEVEMENT SYSTEM • Achievement System is A Motivation System which: – Provides feedback to a youth on his behaviors, but is less structured and less immediate than the other point systems. – Awards privileges without having a specified daily difference. – Reflects status for achievement since a wider choice of privileges is available. – Teaches youth to be less dependent upon structure, but does not remove the personalized attention and education that comes with a token economy. – Allows youth the opportunity to work on needed problem areas, but also to earn special, individualized privileges. • Rationales for Family Teachers/Treatment Parents: – Allows for consistency and continuity of the token economy. – Provides continued monitoring of basic skills (behaviors are not allowed to deteriorate). – Provides for a positive daily conference. – Relies on subjective impression of youth's overall skills rather than detailed tracking system. – Allows opportunities to target areas that need improvement while maintaining control of other behaviors. – The visible mechanics (checklists) prompt attendance to youth behavior and are conducive to charting youth behavior. – Allows greater creativity in designing special privileges and independence oriented goals - it can be fun! Rationales for Youth • • • • • • Flexible, positive motivator Can buy "special" privileges Basic privileges awarded without a set daily point total. Shows status for achievement Less structure No skills card. Determining Youth Readiness for Achievement • • • • • Youth has acquired skills necessary to advance to Achievement Utilizes alternative skills 80% Youth earns 50 bonds Family Teacher/Treatment Parent approval Consultant approval Achievement Checklist Achievement Card Responding to Youth Behaviors • Minor negative behavior. – teaching interaction – loss of points at nightly conference or lower rating. – natural and logical consequences • More serious negative behaviors. – loss of some or all of daily privileges (natural or logical consequences) – loss of some or all of savings – daily difference required to earn privileges – removal from achievement system to more structured system – renegotiation of points for "special“ privileges – sub-system Achievement “Special Privilege List • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Transportation to jobs, dates, events Special snack item Extra TV time Later curfew Attend a concert Take family out to eat Later bedtime Rent a movie Select a family outing Long distance call Extra allowance Special hygiene item Buy out of chore Attend a sports activity Have a party Plan the menu Spending more time at natural home Transitional living No structured study hour - based on grades Special times with Family Teacher/Treatment Parent Establish own schedule Special game, tool, music tape, clothes, etc. Independent Living Skills • Money management – – – – – – – • Job seeking skills – – – – • Checking and savings accounts Budgeting Investments Loans, credit cards, and establishing credit Taxes Life insurance Consumer skills Developing vocational interests Advertisements Resumes and job applications Job interview Housing – – – – – Deciding type of dwelling Apartment or house seeking skills Interpreting lease, rent and buying documents Insurance and home payment budgeting Home furnishing, decorating, and repair skills • Transportation – Car • • • • Consumer skills in car buying Insurance, tags, registration Driver's education and license Car maintenance – Bus, air and train transportation • Understanding schedules • Getting around terminals – Road maps, planning economical trips and traveler services • Health care – Health insurance – Health maintenance skills – Getting good medical and dental care • Government agencies – – – – – – • • Voting and government functioning Community resources – – – – – – – • Unemployment Civil service Welfare Grants Taxes Food stamps Consumer protection agency Planned parenthood Stop smoking clinics Parks, zoos and other recreational services Church organizations and services Better Business Bureau University extension services Sex education – – – – – – Physiology Myths Dating Planned Parenthood and contraception Marriage Divorce and separation • Creative leisure time – – – – – Music and art Crafts Collections Recreation and life sports Hobbies • Legal process – Law enforcement agencies – Legal rights (Legal Aid Society) – Handling traffic offenses • Energy conservation – Energy sources and their futures – Energy saving practices in the home – Being prepared for energy and food shortages Subsystem • When to Use: – Youth's behavior is severely inappropriate: • • • • • Major infraction of house rule Infraction of the law Unusual behavior for that youth Disastrous public event Serious chronic behavior problem • WHEN NOT TO USE: – For a routine behavior – For an acceleration or escalation of minor inappropriate behavior • SUBSYSTEMS ARE USED TO: – Teach alternative behaviors – Repair damaged relationships – Be restrictive – The amount of the subsystem may vary according to the: Severity • Frequency • Public visibility – of the behavior problem. • Remember: – Look for opportunities to teach to the competing behavior – The majority of points earned should be in the problem area rather than in the maintenance task area Subsystem Behaviors? • • • • • • • • • • Drug related behavior Smoking Runaway Lying Stealing Unexcused school absence Lost point card Swearing at Family Teacher Hitting another youth Sneaking food • *RATIONALE FOR SUB-SYSTEM* – The goal of sub-system is treatment. Removing the youth from their regular system and target areas provides the opportunity for intense teaching in the problem area. • *RECOMMENDED NUMBER OF INTERACTIONS* – 20+ Interactions per day. • *CRITERIA FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION* – Youth earns back the number of points that were assigned to the subsystem (usually between 100,000 and 300,000 points). FamilyTeacher agreement concerning behavior improvement. • *MAKE-UP SYSTEM* – 40,000 points. 20,000 for next day's privileges and 20,000 to buy back lost privileges. • *NEXT SYSTEM* – Daily, Weekly, or Achievement depending on behaviors and effort while on Subsystem. Types of Sub-Systems • Credit • Straight Fine • Time-Based Credit Subsystem • *PURPOSE* – • *LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES* – • 5,000 to 10,000 per day until system requirement total is earned. *PROCEDURE* – • Basics, Snacks, Electronic Media, Telephone, Free Time I *DAILY DIFFERENCE REQUIREMENT* – • Youth must earn specified number of points toward subsystem while simultaneously earning points for the regular system. Youth must accomplish one "free" task per day. *PRIVILEGES AVAILABLE* – • Adds an additional daily requirement to original point system but does not replace system. *SHORT TERM CONSEQUENCES* – • Less serious offenses (first runaway, repeatedly poor school note, repeated use of privileges without permission). Youth carries regular skills card for regular system. Keeps subsystem points on second skills card. Youth must earn required points on subsystem card before earning privileges on regular system. *SPECIAL NOTES* – Less punishing than other subsystems because youth can earn regular privileges and stays on regular system. Straight Fine Subsystem • *PURPOSE* – • *LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES* – • 20,000 per day until system total is reduced to “0”. Total is 100,00- 500,000. *PROCEDURE* – – – • Basics, 'f Snack, T.V. *DAILY DIFFERENCE REQUIREMENT* – • Youth earns fewer privileges for a higher daily difference. *PRIVILEGES AVAILABLE* – • Removed from progress on regular pint system and loses all points accumulated to the point. *SHORT TERM CONSEQUENCES* – • Used for moderately serious behaviors (2nd runaway, 1st stealing, repeated lying, etc.). Take youth off regular system and cancel all accumulated points. Write “subsystem” and the amount on a new point car Reduce system by the total earned each day. *SPECIAL NOTES* – Most common subsystem used. Requires careful Family-Teacher monitoring to keep youth from “giving up”. Time Based Subsystem • *PURPOSE* – • *LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES* – • Basics, 1 Snack, T.V. *DAILY DIFFERENCE* 20,000 -- 30,000 *PROCEDURE* – • A daily difference of 20,000 or more Is needed for privileges for each specified "punishment" day. *PRIVILEGES AVAILABLE* – • • Youth is removed from progress on regular system and prevented from earning his/her way off the subsystem too quickly. The youth is not "back on the street" where authorities might feel he/she has gotten off too easily. *SHORT TERM CONSEQUENCES* – • Very serious behaviors, such as joyriding, assault, major theft, etc. Take youth off regular system and cancel all accumulated points. Determine number of days system should last and establish a daily difference. Maximum number of days is 30. Mark off day's daily difference earned on a calendar. Points earned above or below daily difference don't count. *SPECIAL NOTES* – Time based is very difficult. Use only when all other options have failed and you are about to lose the youth to a more restrictive program. Blank Sub-System Worksheet Example Sub-System Worksheet RESOURCES Overview • • A new youth comes to your home or perhaps you are a new Family Teacher coming to a home that has been established with youth living there. The youth with whom you will be working have many tasks to accomplish and goals to achieve during their adolescence. One of the primary tasks that an adolescent has during this period is to learn to be able to relate to authority in a positive manner that leads to positive results, e.g., he should be able to disagree with adults in such a positive manner that the adults will be inclined to listen to him and perhaps to change their opinion after listening to the youth. One of the first things that you will want to do as a Family Teacher is to establish some commonalties; that is, it is important that you make certain that your goals and the goals of your youth are coinciding. If your goals and the goals of your youth do not coincide, it will be very difficult for you to encourage them to achieve a goal they do not consider important. At the same time, you want to introduce your expectations to the youth in your home. You need to establish a method of letting them know what you expect of them, what is acceptable, and what is not acceptable. • All of the above will be accomplished more readily if the youth with whom you are working have a certain degree of motivation. Motivation can be described as some inner drive or impulse that causes a person to do something. Frequently, the youth with whom you will be working lack motivation to do many of the behaviors you will want them to do and may have considerable motivation to do the things which you consider undesirable. • If you are to establish commonalities, that is, make certain that your goals and the goals of your youth are the same, then you need to find a method of motivating the youth that is acceptable to you. Within the Teaching Family Model, the motivation systems have been developed that have been found to be effective in motivating youth to learn desirable ways of acting. • The motivation systems are a method of encouraging the youth's interest in a subject matter to be taught through the utilization of a structured approach to delivering consequences. The purpose of the motivation systems is to encourage the youth to learn and perform the behaviors the Family Teacher wishes. The motivation systems provide a definite methodological approach to insuring such interest. The interest is achieved by utilizing a structured approach to delivering consequences. Thus, the motivation systems are definite and detailed approaches to providing positive and negative feedback to the youth on behaviors he/she exhibit. • The major goal of the motivation systems is to develop within a youth the ability to function without the support offered by the motivation systems. The motivation systems are structured in such a way that they can lead a youth from a situation in which the youth needs extensive structure and feedback to a situation in which very little structure and feedback is required. • As the structure within the various motivation systems decrease, the youth is encouraged to respond to natural and logical consequences. Eventually, the youth then will be encouraged to utilize natural and logical consequences as the sole motivators of his/her behaviors. Reasons for the use of the Motivation System • • The motivation systems have been found to be an effective tool that can be used to better educate hard-to-teach children. The effectiveness of the motivation systems has been established through utilization over given time periods. By hard-to-teach children, we are referring primarily to children lacking in some degree of motivation. The motivation systems provide an external motivation that leads to the development of internal motivation. Through the utilization of the motivation systems, a Family Teacher is able to establish a goal that becomes of interest to the youth, thereby providing an external motivation that encourages the youth to achieve the goals set by the Family Teachers. The motivation systems reinforce the youth whenever he or she works toward the goals set by the Family Teachers. • The motivation systems provide a systematic method of delivering consequences. This is a system — no hit or miss tactics are involved. There is a definite method, within the motivation systems, of praising youth. There is a definite method, within the motivation systems, of letting a youth know when her behaviors are not acceptable. Because the motivation systems contain systemized methods of delivering consequences, the youth can be informed of what is expected of her. The methods then provide for fairness. Through utilizing the motivation systems, a Family Teacher acquaints the youth with her expectations, makes the youth aware of the consequences that will follow for positive or negative behavior, and fairly delivers the consequences after the behavior has been performed. • • The motivation systems, because of their structure, are geared to aid a youth in developing internal discipline. They aid a youth in developing this internalized discipline by gradually withdrawing external structure. Within the motivation systems, there is a system for a youth who would benefit from extensive structure, a system for a youth who would benefit from moderate amounts of structure, and a system for a youth who would benefit from minimal structure. If used progressively, these systems will help a youth develop the internal discipline necessary to function on the succeeding system. Thus, the motivation systems can assist a youth with little internalized discipline who requires extensive structure to develop enough internalized discipline to eventually be able to function with little structure. The motivation systems provide a record of progress. While a youth is on any of the motivation systems, a daily record of her behavior is kept. This record of behaviors can then serve as a daily progress report on the youth. These daily progress reports can be most helpful in developing treatment plans or progress reports that are written to agencies and parents. • • The various motivation systems are artificial systems. When working with hard-to-teach youth, it is very cumbersome to provide logical consequences for minute-to-minute behavior. Because minute-to-minute feedback is necessary in order that a youth may begin to develop internalized discipline, the motivation systems are a structure to provide the necessary feedback to the youth under the guidance of the Family Teacher. The motivation systems are methods of providing maximum feedback to the youth. Each day, the youth is shown, through the motivation system, which behaviors are acceptable and which behaviors are not acceptable. Each day, through the motivation system, a youth is shown the values of certain behaviors. Each day, through the motivation systems, a youth is shown how her behaviors lead to definite outcomes. Each day, through the motivation systems, a youth is reminded of the expectations of her Family Teachers. Thus, the most important reason for the utilization of the motivation systems is that it allows the youth, through a constant feedback mechanism, to begin to understand (1) that her behaviors have a definite effect on her lifestyle, and (2) that through development of an internal discipline, she can have direct control over her lifestyle. • • • • • • The motivation systems are: DAILY POINT SYSTEM WEEKLY POINT SYSTEM ACHIEVEMENT SYSTEM SUB SYSTEM MAKE-UP SYSTEM • THE DAILY POINT SYSTEM – The daily point system is used primarily for youth who require constant and immediate feedback on their behaviors. Of all the systems, the daily point system provides the most structure within which a youth can learn. Thus, the daily point system is utilized for a youth who has very little motivation to perform the behaviors desired by the Family Teacher. The daily point system, through the positive and negative point values assigned to various behaviors, aids in establishing a variety of appropriate behaviors which will eventually come in contact with natural reinforcements. On the daily system, a youth primarily learns basic skills, i.e. following instructions, accepting criticism, accepting no, and disagreeing appropriately. These skills are critical to enable the learning of additional, more sophisticated skills on the next systems. • THE WEEKLY POINT SYSTEM – The weekly point system is a system which involves less structure than the daily point system. As the name implies, the weekly point system teaches a youth to delay gratification by purchasing privileges on a weekly basis, thus helping her to learn how to monitor and to control her own behavior. A youth is shown that she may compensate for a negative behavior by performing a positive behavior or having a particularly positive day. The weekly point system does not focus on all behaviors that the youth exhibits throughout the day. Instead, it teaches the youth how to maintain new behaviors under conditions of less structure and more remote feedback. This is accomplished by targeting specific behaviors of the youth that need improvement. Behaviors which are expected of a youth who has achieved a certain degree of internal motivation need not be recorded on this system (for example, basic skills or previously learned skills). • THE ACHIEVEMENT SYSTEM – The achievement system is designed for the youth who has developed enough internal motivation that he can respond to logical, every day consequences. Thus, logical consequences are provided for behaviors without the external motivation of positive or negative points being recorded on a card. The achievement system then relies specifically on logical reinforcers for a youth's behavior. • THE SUB SYSTEM – The sub system is designed for a youth who has engaged in an extremely negative or dangerous behavior, i.e. drug use, run away, car theft, etc. The sub system provides additional structure on a temporary basis with a higher frequency of teaching in order for the youth to learn alternative positive behaviors. – The motivation systems are geared toward removing external or artificial motivators for behaviors. When a youth requires external motivators to aid her in developing internal motivators for performing appropriate behaviors, the daily point system or the weekly point system is employed. As soon as a youth is able to function without these external motivators, she is placed on the achievement system which utilizes only natural or logical consequences. Because each youth is an individual, each youth will spend a different amount of time on the systems employed to teach her. It must be remembered, however, that the primary goal of the motivation systems is to teach the youth to develop within herself the internal discipline necessary to function without an artificial support system. Thus, the primary goal of the motivation systems is their own extinction. A youth who no longer needs external motivation is a youth who has succeeded on the motivation systems. Figure 2A • The Daily Point System – When a youth first enters a Teaching-Family home, he/she is typically placed on the daily point system after completing the assessment system. The youth earns positive points for appropriate behaviors and earns negative points for inappropriate behaviors. Between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. each day, the youth and Family Teachers have an "individual" conference. If, at "conference" time, the youth has earned 10,000 positive points, the youth may purchase all their privileges. If, however, a youth has not accumulated 10,000 points by conference time, they would not be allowed to purchase any privileges at that time. Keeping in mind the flexibility of the point system, the youth may still have the opportunity to purchase privileges through the use of the make-up system, described later in this chapter. • Mechanics of the Daily Point System – The points a youth earns each day are recorded by the youth on the “skills card." Figure 2A depicts the two sides of the point card. – The card has separate columns for (+) and (-) points earned on the sides of the card, with a center area to describe skills taught and specifics of the behaviors involved. When a youth earns points, they write the value in the appropriate column and labels the skill and a specific description of the behavior as instructed by the Family Teacher in the designated columns. For example, if a youth earned 1,000 points for following instructions to empty out the trash, Figure 2B shows what the card would look like: Figure 2B • After the youth records the points, he asks the Family Teacher to sign the card. The Family Teacher records his/her initials in the space with the “void” bubble. The youth would also fill in the bubbles to represent the following: the goal number the interaction correlates to, How many SDS units were done, if the skill was social, academic, or independent living (SAIL), if the interaction was positive or negative, the Treatment Parent (or Associate) who completed the interaction (MTP, FTP, A1, A2, A3), and if it was a preventative teaching interaction (PT) or positive correction (PC). A coding example is given in Figure 2C. Figure 2C • If the youth earned negative points, he would record the points on the right side of the card, and the skill and specific behavior in the designated columns. The following card (Figure 2D) depicts an interaction where the same youth earned -2,000 points for not accepting no to watch TV. Whenever a youth earns negative points for an inappropriate behavior, the next interaction is a "positive correction" interaction, where the youth role plays the same scenario but using the skill correctly and is taught the appropriate alternative behavior. Figure 2D Figure 2E • At the end of the day, at the daily conference, the youth "totals" his card and reviews his day, Figure 2E. He adds up all the points in the positive behavior column (both sides), then adds all of his point "fines" in the negative behaviors column (both sides). He then subtracts the points lost from the points made to determine the “daily difference." The following example, Figure 2F, shows the bottom of the point card described above. Figure 2F • As mentioned previously, on the daily point system, a daily difference of 10,000 points is needed each day in order for a youth to earn their privileges. In the previous example, the youth has earned a total of 11,000 points. Therefore, he has made the required daily difference and has earned his privileges for the next 24 hours. The privileges available to a youth on the daily point system are basics, snacks, TV (Electronic Media), telephone, free time on grounds, and allowance. Notice also that this youth has earned a total of 23,000 points since being on the daily system. The new skills card for tomorrow will have today's points of 11,000 added to 23,000 and make a new total, written in the accumulated points section, toward the goal of 300,000 to be considered for the weekly system. • It is possible for a youth to earn more negative points than they did positive points. For example, if a youth earned +13,000 points, but also earned -18,000 points, the bottom of the skills card would look like the following (see Figure 2G). The accumulated total on the next days card will read 86,000. Figure 2G • In this example, the youth does not have the required number of points. Therefore, no privileges can be purchased. However, the youth may choose to earn their privileges back through the make-up system. • Whenever a youth's skills card falls below "0" during the day, privileges which were earned yesterday are suspended until the current card is back in a positive net figure. This is referred to as the "zero balance rule." Figure 3 Figure 3A • The following example, Figure, 3A, shows the point differences for six youth on a Thursday: • In addition to recording the difference each day, the point sheet keeps a cumulative total. The Family Teacher adds the last subtotal to the current day’s daily difference to arrive at a new subtotal each day (see Figure 3B). Notice that daily youth carry their points over to the next week and weekly youth start at 0 every week. Figure 3B • It is not always a simple task of addition. A youth occasionally loses more points that he makes, and the subtotal goes down rather than up. For example, at Greg's point conference on Saturday, he earned a -8,000 points. In that case, the difference is circled to indicate a negative amount as is the subtotal (see Figure 3C). Figure 3C • • • In essence, the youth is "in the hole." Again, the Zero Balance Rule applies and weekly privileges purchased last week are suspended. On the weekly point system, privileges are suspended until the subtotal rather than the daily difference is in positive figures, and would be figured from point conference to point conference. By the end of the week, the weekly point sheet will usually look something like the example in Figure 3D. The daily subtotals indicate to the youth how she is progressing during the week. The final totals indicate the number of points a youth has available to spend for privileges. Near the bottom of the weekly point sheet are the privileges and their prices in points as shown in Figure 3E. At the end of the week, usually on Thursday afternoon, the points each youth has earned are spent for privileges. A purchased privilege is indicated by a check mark beside the privilege and below the point column for that particular youth, except in the case of bonds or carry over where the number purchased or actual amounts replace the check marks. All points have to be spent; only leftover points can be carried over to the next week. Figure 3D • Explanation of Privileges – Basics: The "basic" privileges are sold as a package and include movement about the home to work on hobbies, play cards, and/or board games inside the home. – Snacks: Usually an item specified by the Family Teacher as a "snack" aside from the regular three meals a day, generally a before bedtime snack as a family. This would not include a fruit after school. A fruit should be the only snack type item available to youth after school. – Electronic Media: Free time to watch television programs -- usually chosen by the youth, within the guidelines determined by the Family Teachers, video games, computer games, radio, iPods, etc. – Telephone: Use of the telephone within the guidelines of the home. – Free time on grounds: Means in the yard area or around the home. Outdoor activities, i.e. sports, games, skateboarding, bike riding, or just being outside in the vicinity of the house. – Allowance: Earned daily by youth on daily point system by youth earning daily difference and purchased by points earned for the week by youth on the weekly point system. In both cases, youth are paid weekly, with youth on higher systems having higher rates of allowance available. • Criteria to Advance to Weekly Points – In order for the youth to move from the daily system to the weekly system, they must meet the following criteria: – Must have accumulated the designated number of points (300,000); – Must have made privileges for five consecutive days; – Must use the basic skills 70-80% of the time; – Must have Family Teachers approval; – Must have consultant approval. – The weekly point system is similar to the daily point system in many ways. On the weekly point system, a youth continues to record point interactions on a skills card and still has a card conference every afternoon. The major difference is that the youth purchases privileges on a weekly, rather than a daily, basis. – The points a youth earns each day are recorded on a weekly point sheet by the Family Teacher. Figure 3E is an example of a weekly point sheet. Figure 3E • • The first five privileges must be purchased in the rank order as they appear on the bottom of the weekly point sheet. For example, if a youth's weekly difference is 22,000, he could purchase the first five privileges and he would have 2,000 savings or carry-over points. If he earned 13,000 points, he could purchase Basics, Snacks, and TV, and he would have 2,000 savings or carry-over points. If the youth earned only 5,000 points, he could purchase only Basics and he would have 2,000 savings or carry-over points. After the first five privileges are purchased, the youth may purchase remaining privileges in any order she wishes. During the first six weeks a youth is on the weekly point system, use of purchased privileges is contingent on making a daily "bridge" of 5,000 points or whatever amount the treatment team decides. A bridge serves to help the youth transition from the daily difference of 10,000 points on the daily point system to no daily amount, but rather a weekly amount of 29,000 points plus. This would mean that at his Thursday conference, a youth would purchase weekly privileges for the next week. However, daily use during the next week (of privileges previously purchased) would be dependent on making a temporary "bridge" amount of 5,000 points. • This will enable the youth to succeed on weekly, helping them be consistent with making some points each day, and planning ahead to their weekly conference. For example, referring to Figure 3D, on Friday if all youth were new to the weekly point system (within the first six weeks), only Greg would be able to use his privileges for the day. • There are several privileges available to youth on weekly that are not available to youth on daily: – Allowance II: This is an additional $1.50 that can be purchased. – Free time II: Activities away from the home without being accompanied by a Family Teacher. For example, going to a friend's home, movie or shopping trip. – Bonds: A method of storing points from one week to another so the youth can purchase gifts, tickets, clothes, school and personal supplies and advancement to the next motivation system. • In order to advance from the weekly point system to the achievement system, a youth must have purchased 50 bonds and have the Family Teachers' permission. On the other hand, if a youth is not doing well on the weekly system and has not been able to purchase the first five privileges for three out of four weeks, the youth returns to the daily point system. (However, he may keep the bonds he has accumulated). • Weekly Point System – The main purpose of the weekly point sheet is for recording the points accumulated and privileges purchased by youth on weekly points. However, it is also a useful recording tool for Family Teachers and youth on daily points and sub systems. The day-to-day accumulation of points recorded on the sheet gives the Family Teachers and a youth a "bird's eye view" of how the youth are progressing. Regardless of which motivation system a youth is on (sub system, daily points or weekly points), the weekly sheet is used as described in the explanation of the weekly point system. Make Up Systems • The following is a summary of the make up systems which are available to youth when they have failed to earn their privileges on the daily, weekly, and sub-systems. An overview of the various make up systems should be presented to all youth at Family Meeting, and the appropriate opportunity to make up privileges must be offered to a youth when he/she has not earned privileges. • Daily Make Up System – At a point conference in which a youth on the daily point system fails to earn his/her 10,000 point daily difference, the Family Teacher presents the following opportunity to the youth in order that he/she may earn privileges prior to the next point conference: – The youth earns a difference of 20,000 points at some time during the 24 hour period for which he/she has earned no privileges. – The youth has the option, at that time, to purchase yesterday's privileges for 10,000 points. – If the youth so chooses, this amount is noted in the negative column of the point card. – The youth may immediately begin and continue using privileges until the next point conference, per Family Teacher approval, providing that a 10,000 point difference is maintained during this time. – Should the child choose not to purchase privileges when he/she earns 20,000 points, the entire amount of points earned is added to the child's accumulative point total at the next point conference. – If the youth never acquires 20,000 points, but earns at least 10,000 points, he/she earns privileges at the next point conference and the entire daily difference is added to the accumulative point total. • Weekly Make Up System – The follow make up system must to offered to a youth on weekly points when he/she has not earned the adequate amount of points (20,000) to purchase the basic five privileges (basic, snacks, TV, telephone, and free time I) as a package: – The youth purchases those of the basic five privileges for which he/she has points. These privileges must be purchased in the above listed order, and are available for the youth's use throughout the week. – The youth is then given the opportunity each day, at point conference during the subsequent week, to purchase additional privileges from the basic package, again in order, and at the standard weekly price for the following 24 hour period. – Points exchanged for additional privileges are not added to the weekly total up towards the next week's privileges, thus requiring discretion as well as discussion and negotiation between the youth and Family Teachers at each point conference. – If the youth has a bridge requirement on his/her weekly point system, the youth must earn the bridge in order to use privileges purchased last week, and additional points may be used for purchase of further privileges each day. Subsystem Work Sheet • • • The sub system work sheet is designed for quickly outlining and calculating points. It should be completed before addressing the issue with the youth. When using the work sheet, the Family Teacher identifies both positive and negative behaviors in which the youth engaged, computes the subsystem, and identifies follow-up teaching, counseling, and Family Meeting skills or issues. The use of this subsystem work sheet has several advantages. First, it provides the means for the Family Teacher to organize his/her thoughts and to determine in advance the skills to be emphasized. Second, the positive and negative consequating power of the points can be enhanced by treating each of the important behaviors individually. In this way, a youth knows exactly what he or she did that was appropriate and inappropriate. The earning of positive points for approximations should strengthen the on-going teaching of pro-social skills. Third, since the youth has experienced positive points for his/her appropriate behaviors, the likelihood of repeating those behaviors in the future should be increased. Finally, the work sheet provides a permanent record which can be filed in the youth's file for review at a future time. • A completed sample of the work sheet can be found at the end of this description. The sample will be referred to in each step of the following explanation. To help understand the Family Teacher's entries, a brief background is provided. Thirteen year old Ben has been observed fighting with fourteen year old Jason in the dining room of the Family Teaching home. When the Family Teacher arrived at the scene, she immediately gave Ben an instruction to stop fighting. Ben then pushed a dining room chair across the floor towards the Family Teacher. The Family Teacher repeated the instruction to stop fighting, at which time Ben followed that instruction. However, he began to argue with the Family Teaching, using several swear words. The Family Teacher then asked Ben to stop talking and told Ben to sit in a chair. Ben followed both of these instructions. Less than a minute later, Ben apologized to Jason for hitting him without being prompted by the Family Teacher. • Enter Descriptive Information – As illustrated on the completed sample work sheet, the youth's name if Ben Smith. The behavior necessitating the subsystem is fighting with a peer. The type of subsystem is a straight fine subsystem. Privileges available will be basics, snacks, and one hour of Electronic Media. • Determine Net Subsystem – The Family Teacher computes the net subsystem by deciding how many days the youth should be on the subsystem and enters the amount into the space provided. This number is then multiplied by the daily difference, in this case, 20,000, equaling a net subsystem of 100,000 points. In this example, the Family Teacher decided that she wanted Ben to be on a five (5) day subsystem (multiplied by the daily difference of 20,000 points) which is a net subsystem of 100,000 points. • Enter Positive Behavior – List the important behaviors or approximations to the desired behaviors which should be reinforced in the space provided on the work sheet. Assign appropriate point values according to your home's token economy. It should be noted that there will rarely be times when a youth does not engage in some positive behaviors or approximations and thus, this step will usually be included. Ben is to be reinforced for a) following instructions to stop fighting = +5,000 points; b) apologizing to Jason without being prompted = +20,000 points. • Sum Positive Points – Add the positive points and enter the total positive points on the work sheet. Ben earned a total of 25,000 points for his appropriate behaviors. • Compute Total Negative Points – On a separate sheet of paper, add the total positive points to the net subsystem. This will produce the total number of negative points the youth will need to earn for all the inappropriate behaviors. Ben's net subsystem, plus his total positive points, equals 125,000 points. Enter this on the subsystem work sheet where it indicates the total negative points. • Enter Negative Behaviors – List the inappropriate behaviors in which the youth engaged in the inappropriate behaviors column. Assign point values to each behavior (proportionate to the behavior's importance). If there is only one negative behavior, assign all points computed in the previous step to that behavior. Ben earned 50,000 negative points for fighting with Jason; 50,000 negative points for pushing the chair towards the Family Teacher; and 25,000 negative points for swearing. These are entered into the work sheet under specific description of inappropriate behaviors. • Sum Negative Points – Add negative points and enter the total negative points on the work sheet. The work sheet provides a clear document which helps if there are later misunderstandings on the youth's part. Additionally, it provides the Family Teachers with a clear outline of the process should they later wish to review the procedures or the youth's previous pattern of behaviors. Finally, when a youth is on a subsystem, the Family Teachers should consider at least two brief skill sessions (role plays) or planned teaching sessions per day (e.g., one after school and one before bedtime). This type of schedule assures a youth will receive opportunities to develop and become more comfortable with desired behaviors and provides an additional opportunity to earn large amounts of positive points towards reducing the net subsystem. Treatment Documentation Morning Report Definitions • HVC HOME VISIT CONTACT – • RHVC RETURN HOME VISIT CONTACT – • Personal or telephone contact from the youth's referring worker. CSW CONTACTED SOCIAL WORKER – • Contact in person or by telephone exclusively for the purpose of instructing or programmatically guiding parents. The training may be done individually or in groups. SWC SOCIAL WORKER CONTACT – • Any face-to-face contact with parents or guardians of clients or contact by phone. This contact is defined as solely for social purposes, with no training involved. PT PARENT TRAINING – • Date the youth returns to the treatment home. PC PARENT CONTACT – • Number of personal visits by a youth to the home of his/her parents, legal guardian or close family. A visit may last hours or days. Personal or telephone contact to youth's referring worker. ACC AFTER CARE CONTACT – Any personal visit or phone call made between Family Teachers or Treatment Parents and clients who have left the program for the purpose of providing after care services to the client or reporting progress. • AWOL ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE – • RAWOL RETURNED FROM ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE – • Client placed on subsystem. RSUBRETURN FROM SUB SYSTEM – • Client is returned to the group or treatment home. SUB SUB SYSTEM – • Client is placed outside the group home or therapeutic family home in youth services, detention, or hospitalized REMP RETURN FROM EMERGENCY PLACEMENT – • Date on which client returns from being AWOL. EMP EMERGENCY PLACEMENT – • Client is absent from either the group home, therapeutic family home or parents' home without obtaining consent prior to absence. Family Teachers may or may not know where the client is. This includes runaways. AWOL is listed only on the day the client actually leaves. This does not include short periods of time involved with not reporting whereabouts. Client removed from subsystem. USA UNEXCUSED SCHOOL ABSENCE – Client absent from school for any or all of the school day without Family Teachers'/Treatment Parents' prior consent (includes suspensions - in-school as well as out-of-school - and AWOLS). • NC – • RA – • WC – • Client who was previously in the program is readmitted. Client is discharged from the group or treatment home. Client is known to be intoxicated or "high" due to alcohol or drug use. This information may be obtained from out-of-home sources (e.g., police, parents, teachers) or from personal observation. WORKER CHANGE Any change in the case workers for the youth SC SCHOOL CONTACT – • RE-ADMIT ADA ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUG ABUSE – • Any time a new client is placed in the group or treatment home. DISC DISCHARGE – • NEW CLIENT Any phone or personal contact with teachers, school administrators, or YIC workers. One contact counted for each different person you speak with. FDR FIRE DRILL – Number of practiced fire drills conducted during the reporting period. Include supplementary information such as number of youth and number of adults present and elapsed time. In order to fulfill our obligations to the state, one fire drill per month is mandatory for each home. Introduction to the Motivation System Pre-Service Workshop This training presentation is available for download at: www.utahparenting.org © 2007 Utah Youth Village.