The Twelve Stretches
The Core Ideas of Degrees of Change
Taking a stretch approach, as you’ll see in the twelve stretches we propose below, is not about abandoning one “right way” for a new and better way. It’s not about a shift, exactly. Instead, it’s about extending ourselves so that we inhabit additional space. It’s about increasing our mental, ethical, and operational agility. It’s about avoiding contraction.
And it implies discomfort. There’s no question—tensions are uncomfortable. Baked into the word is an appreciation that it takes energy and can feel uncomfortable, asking us to confront supposed limits and constraints.
Stretching our Focuses
Saftey & Flourishing
Social services are designed to keep people safe. It is the most important thing we do. We have lots of training, policies, reporting and monitoring so that people are kept as safe as possible.
Body and Soul
Social services often focus on basic needs: shelter, income, clothing, food, etc. These things are important, but they do not have the power to change lives. They don’t result in a good life, either—at least, not by themselves.
Behaviour & Identity
Much of our focus is on visible things: bodies and behaviours. This is true not only of how we interact with the people we support, but also of our employees and organizational processes.
Individuals & Circles
Programs and services to adults tend to be person-centric. Organizations typically struggle to involve circle members.
Stretching Our Roles
Helpers & Brokers
But how do people move through our services so that they become part of community life to the greatest extent possible?
Experts & Community Catalysts
There are not enough resources or capacity in social services to meet everyone’s needs. Nor is it desirable to have social services meet everyone’s needs, even were that practicable.
Teachers and Coaches
Life is complex and sometimes requires more than teaching skills or lessons. Coaches do more than teach, they inspire. They stir motivation while dismantling stoppages caused by fear, anxiety and low self-esteem.
Stretching our Frameworks
Triage & Prevention
In the same way that health services provide medical triage to those in urgent need, the social service sector provides a kind of social triage to people who face significant challenges.
Workers and People
The reason our services exist is to serve people with disabilities and their families. Our employees are absolutely essential to that. But they are more than technicians, they are people to whom we have moral and existential obligations.
Programs & Platforms
While this may sound like we are talking about technological solutions, we’re not. We’re actually talking about the way services are designed and delivered, irrespective of what technology is involved.
Delivery & Development
The social service sector is designed to deliver services. All of our departments, roles and resources are pointed at doing that well. But without rigorous development, programs and services can become static, irrelevant or even problematic; they can make the situation worse
Rights and Culture
Seeking social change through rights, advocacy and public education is important. It has gotten us to where we are today. But we need to get better at influencing social norms and culture.