BENEFITS BASED BENEFITS BASED PROGRAMMINGPROGRAMMING

Chapter 4Chapter 4

Traditional Programming Traditional Programming ApproachesApproaches

►1. The Quality of Life Approach1. The Quality of Life Approach►2. The Marketing Approach2. The Marketing Approach►3. The Human Service Approach3. The Human Service Approach►4. The Prescriptive Approach4. The Prescriptive Approach►5. The 5. The

Environmental/Aesthetic/PreservationiEnvironmental/Aesthetic/Preservationist Approachst Approach

BBPBBP

►A more recent approach that has gained A more recent approach that has gained increased respect and application is increased respect and application is called Benefits Based Programming (BBP).called Benefits Based Programming (BBP). It was developed to address social problems, It was developed to address social problems,

especially among youth in at-risk especially among youth in at-risk environments.environments.

This innovative approach, which has been This innovative approach, which has been developed and endorsed by The National developed and endorsed by The National Recreation and Park Association, is an Recreation and Park Association, is an adaptation of several approaches.adaptation of several approaches.

REPOSITIONINGREPOSITIONING

► Positioning refers to the way in which local Positioning refers to the way in which local officials and citizens perceive the field of officials and citizens perceive the field of parks and recreation, especially in terms of parks and recreation, especially in terms of how the field of compares to other publicly how the field of compares to other publicly funded services.funded services.

► The current view of our field is that parks and The current view of our field is that parks and recreation are nonessential services.recreation are nonessential services.

► In the minds of the public and local officials, In the minds of the public and local officials, recreation and parks take a back sear to recreation and parks take a back sear to other, more important services such as police other, more important services such as police and fire protection. Thus, agencies need to and fire protection. Thus, agencies need to REPOSITION how they are viewed.REPOSITION how they are viewed.

►The major challenge face by recreation The major challenge face by recreation and leisure programmers then, is to and leisure programmers then, is to REPOSITION or change the view that REPOSITION or change the view that the public and stakeholders have of the public and stakeholders have of this field.this field.

►One way the profession has begun to One way the profession has begun to reposition itself successfully and, at reposition itself successfully and, at the same time, address the social and the same time, address the social and financial problems is through Benefits financial problems is through Benefits Based Programming.Based Programming.

ExerciseExercise

►Complete the following questions:Complete the following questions: 1. What opinions do your families have of 1. What opinions do your families have of

the parks and recreation field? Your college the parks and recreation field? Your college roommates and other college friends?roommates and other college friends?

2. Are their views generally positive or 2. Are their views generally positive or negative?negative?

3. How do you represent your field of 3. How do you represent your field of study?study?

4. To what extent does your own position or 4. To what extent does your own position or view of the field mirror that of your family view of the field mirror that of your family and friends?and friends?

Turn this in with your weekly assignment!Turn this in with your weekly assignment!

BENEFITS BASED BENEFITS BASED AWARENESSAWARENESS

►This was a program started through the This was a program started through the NRPA called “The Benefits are Endless”NRPA called “The Benefits are Endless”

►This focuses on communicating the This focuses on communicating the benefits of Parks and Recreation to all benefits of Parks and Recreation to all audiences. A key point of this campaign audiences. A key point of this campaign is that the benefits described are based is that the benefits described are based on studies documenting the personal, on studies documenting the personal, social, economic, and environmental social, economic, and environmental benefits of parks and recreation services.benefits of parks and recreation services.

► One research conclusion stated that “regular One research conclusion stated that “regular moderate sports playing adds 1.25 years the moderate sports playing adds 1.25 years the life expectancy of a 45-50 year old man.life expectancy of a 45-50 year old man.

► In a study of female smokers in 1995, the In a study of female smokers in 1995, the study found that just 15 minutes of daily study found that just 15 minutes of daily exercise, cigarette cravings were reduced.exercise, cigarette cravings were reduced.

► Through this promotional campaign, which is Through this promotional campaign, which is based on empirical research, decision-based on empirical research, decision-makers and citizens are made aware of the makers and citizens are made aware of the benefits that recreation and leisure benefits that recreation and leisure programs and services can provide.programs and services can provide.

Programming Principles to Build Programming Principles to Build ResiliencyResiliency

► ““Recreation programs must be specifically Recreation programs must be specifically structured” to adequately address the structured” to adequately address the overall goals of the program, those being overall goals of the program, those being the target goals.the target goals.

► Providing resiliency is the ultimate desired Providing resiliency is the ultimate desired outcome of Benefits Based Programming.outcome of Benefits Based Programming.

► Individuals with resiliency have developed a Individuals with resiliency have developed a personal set of coping skills that provide personal set of coping skills that provide them the personal strengths, resources, and them the personal strengths, resources, and self-image they need to avoid the pitfalls of self-image they need to avoid the pitfalls of an at-risk environment.an at-risk environment.

Some principles to follow…..Some principles to follow…..

►Provide opportunities to create Provide opportunities to create significant relationships with otherssignificant relationships with others

►Provide opportunities to feel competentProvide opportunities to feel competent►Provide constant encouragementProvide constant encouragement►Provide opportunities for participants to Provide opportunities for participants to

be involved in the planning and be involved in the planning and creation of experiencescreation of experiences

►Build in high but attainable Build in high but attainable expectations, not high standardsexpectations, not high standards

►Provide opportunities to be helpful to othersProvide opportunities to be helpful to others►Provide opportunities to socialize with peers Provide opportunities to socialize with peers

and adults who can serve as role modelsand adults who can serve as role models►Provide unconditional support and universal Provide unconditional support and universal

acceptanceacceptance►Build in opportunities for helpfulness to Build in opportunities for helpfulness to

othersothers►Provide opportunities to contribute to one’s Provide opportunities to contribute to one’s

communitycommunity

►Encourage family support and Encourage family support and involvementinvolvement

► Include initiative and cooperative types of Include initiative and cooperative types of framesframes

►Provide opportunities to practice Provide opportunities to practice communication skillscommunication skills

►Provide opportunities for group decision Provide opportunities for group decision makingmaking

►Allow participants to create experiencesAllow participants to create experiences

►Create opportunities to socialize with Create opportunities to socialize with peers and adultspeers and adults

►Provide opportunities to belongProvide opportunities to belong►Be caring; have respect for them as Be caring; have respect for them as

persons, listen without being intrusivepersons, listen without being intrusive►Provide consistent opportunities for Provide consistent opportunities for

recognitionrecognition►Model good behavior for participantsModel good behavior for participants

Finally…….Finally…….

►Provide positive adherence to rulesProvide positive adherence to rules►Discipline without criticismDiscipline without criticism►Be firm, fair, and fun!Be firm, fair, and fun!

►Review the Benefits Based Review the Benefits Based Programming Model on page 53 figure Programming Model on page 53 figure 4-34-3

Protective FactorsProtective Factors

► These were developed within the benefits These were developed within the benefits based programming model in an effort to based programming model in an effort to prepare target goals and issues facing prepare target goals and issues facing participantsparticipants

► Target goals should specify which protective Target goals should specify which protective factors will be developed for the particular factors will be developed for the particular population of interest; for example; youth at population of interest; for example; youth at riskrisk

► Programmers should use a “planning sheet” Programmers should use a “planning sheet” when developing goals. Example on page 56.when developing goals. Example on page 56.

► The protective factors that might be The protective factors that might be included for different populations:included for different populations:

►Knowledgeable of neighborhood resourcesKnowledgeable of neighborhood resources►Caring adults are interested in him or herCaring adults are interested in him or her► Is accepted and liked by othersIs accepted and liked by others►Has high controls against deviant behaviorHas high controls against deviant behavior►Has an appreciation of role modelsHas an appreciation of role models►Has a positive attitude toward the futureHas a positive attitude toward the future►Values achievementValues achievement►Has the ability to work with othersHas the ability to work with others►Has the ability to work out conflictsHas the ability to work out conflicts►Has the perceived competence to do……Has the perceived competence to do……

ExerciseExercise

► Using the BBP planning sheet on page 56, Using the BBP planning sheet on page 56, complete the sheet according the following complete the sheet according the following information.information. A community college president noted that growing A community college president noted that growing

numbers of senior citizens are taking classes at numbers of senior citizens are taking classes at the college. Several senior citizens approached the college. Several senior citizens approached the president about the apparent lack of fitness the president about the apparent lack of fitness activities geared toward seniors. The president activities geared toward seniors. The president called a meeting between herself, the seniors, and called a meeting between herself, the seniors, and the campus recreation director. The campus the campus recreation director. The campus recreation director decided to use the BBP recreation director decided to use the BBP approach for the senior fitness program.approach for the senior fitness program.

Questions…Questions…

►1. What is the issue as identified by 1. What is the issue as identified by the president, senior citizen students, the president, senior citizen students, and campus recreation director?and campus recreation director?

►2. What protective factors would you 2. What protective factors would you select for the target goals?select for the target goals?

►Turn this in with your weekly assignment.Turn this in with your weekly assignment.

►““The Benefits-Based Program” The Benefits-Based Program” approach can help programmers plan approach can help programmers plan purposeful programs and help purposeful programs and help communicate the benefits of those communicate the benefits of those programs to the public.programs to the public.