About twenty participants in the School Community-Partnership met together on February 10, 2015 in the Tradewinds at BMC Durfee High School to learn about Motivational Interviewing from Robert Jope, LMHC of the New Bedford Site Office of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. As Mr. Jope explained, Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication with particular attention to the language of change. The techniques in this kind of communication are especially helpful in working with someone around a change in behavior, whether its the use of substances, a health-behavior change or some other problematic behavior. Mr. Jope outlined some of the principal skills and strategies that this type of counseling uses including the use of open questions, affirmations, reflective listening and summaries. Click here for an one-hour  video of Mr. Jope's presentation. Click here for his PowerPoint slides. Click here for photos and video from a previous meeting. For more information about the Partnership, contact Partnership Co-chairs Michaela Hetzler or Annemarie Holly.

(Top row, left) Alison Heath, right, of the Family Service Association talks with Partners School Wellness Coordinator Marcia Picard before the meeting begins. (Top row, center and right) Partnership Co-Chairs Michaela Hetzler and Annemarie Holly confer before Annemarie welcomes Mr. Jope to the meeting. (Row two, left) Partners Community Outreach Manager Brian Moses makes a point as Talbot Middle School Adjustment Counselor Elaine LeBlanc listens. (Row two, right) Brenda Viveiros of BMC HealthNet Plan speaks as Brian Moses listens. (Row three) Mr. Jope goes over the main principles and techniques of Motivational Interviewing. (Bottom row) Nuando Ofokansi of the Katie Brown Educational Program makes a point as and Fall River Youth Services Coordinator  Christian McCloskey and Partnership Co-Chair Michaela Hetzler listen. (Bottom row, right) Fall River School Parent Information Center Coordinator Barbara Allard suggests that Motivational Interviewing be taught to the counseling staff and parents.