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Resiliency Model |
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The Cottage Housing model is based on an "asset" or "strength" based approach often referred to as the Resiliency Model. As described by researchers Bonnie Bernard, Werner & Smith, Lifton and others, this approach defines resilience as the human capacity of all individuals to transform and change, no matter what their risks; it is an innate ‘self-righting mechanism’, an inborn capacity for transformation and change. Resilience skills include the ability to form relationships (social competence), to problem solve (metacognition), to develop a sense of identity (autonomy), and to plan and hope (a sense of purpose and future). While many social and life skills programs have been developed to teach these skills, the strong message in resilience research is, however, that these attitudes and competencies are outcomes, not causes of resilience. This model conveys a belief in our innate resilience and looks for strengths and assets, as opposed to problems and deficits. This knowledge grounds practice in optimism and possibility, essential components in building motivation. The development of resiliency is none other than the process of healthy human development. If we hope to create socially competent people who have a sense of their own identity and efficacy, who are able to make decisions, set goals, and believe in their future, then meeting their basic human needs for caring, connectedness, respect, challenge, power and meaning, must be the primary focus of any prevention, education and development effort.
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