BENEFITS BASED PROGRAMMING

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BENEFITS BASED PROGRAMMING

• Chapter 4

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Traditional Programming Approaches

• 1. The Quality of Life Approach
• 2. The Marketing Approach
• 3. The Human Service Approach
• 4. The Prescriptive Approach
• 5. The Environmental/Aesthetic/Preservationist
  Approach

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BBP

• A more recent approach that has gained increased
  respect and application is called Benefits Based
  Programming (BBP).
• It was developed to address social problems,
  especially among youth in at-risk environments.
• This innovative approach, which has been
  developed and endorsed by The National Recreation
  and Park Association, is an adaptation of several
  approaches.

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REPOSITIONING

• Positioning refers to the way in which local
  officials and citizens perceive the field of
  parks and recreation, especially in terms of how
  the field of compares to other publicly funded
  services.
• The current view of our field is that parks and
  recreation are nonessential services.
• In the minds of the public and local officials,
  recreation and parks take a back sear to other,
  more important services such as police and fire
  protection. Thus, agencies need to REPOSITION
  how they are viewed.

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• The major challenge face by recreation and
  leisure programmers then, is to REPOSITION or
  change the view that the public and stakeholders
  have of this field.
• One way the profession has begun to reposition
  itself successfully and, at the same time,
  address the social and financial problems is
  through Benefits Based Programming.

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Exercise

• Complete the following questions
• 1. What opinions do your families have of the
  parks and recreation field? Your college
  roommates and other college friends?
• 2. Are their views generally positive or
  negative?
• 3. How do you represent your field of study?
• 4. To what extent does your own position or view
  of the field mirror that of your family and
  friends?
• Turn this in with your weekly assignment!

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BENEFITS BASED AWARENESS

• This was a program started through the NRPA
  called The Benefits are Endless
• This focuses on communicating the benefits of
  Parks and Recreation to all audiences. A key
  point of this campaign is that the benefits
  described are based on studies documenting the
  personal, social, economic, and environmental
  benefits of parks and recreation services.

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• One research conclusion stated that regular
  moderate sports playing adds 1.25 years the life
  expectancy of a 45-50 year old man.
• In a study of female smokers in 1995, the study
  found that just 15 minutes of daily exercise,
  cigarette cravings were reduced.
• Through this promotional campaign, which is based
  on empirical research, decision-makers and
  citizens are made aware of the benefits that
  recreation and leisure programs and services can
  provide.

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Programming Principles to Build Resiliency

• Recreation programs must be specifically
  structured to adequately address the overall
  goals of the program, those being the target
  goals.
• Providing resiliency is the ultimate desired
  outcome of Benefits Based Programming.
• Individuals with resiliency have developed a
  personal set of coping skills that provide them
  the personal strengths, resources, and self-image
  they need to avoid the pitfalls of an at-risk
  environment.

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Some principles to follow..

• Provide opportunities to create significant
  relationships with others
• Provide opportunities to feel competent
• Provide constant encouragement
• Provide opportunities for participants to be
  involved in the planning and creation of
  experiences
• Build in high but attainable expectations, not
  high standards

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• Provide opportunities to be helpful to others
• Provide opportunities to socialize with peers and
  adults who can serve as role models
• Provide unconditional support and universal
  acceptance
• Build in opportunities for helpfulness to others
• Provide opportunities to contribute to ones
  community

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• Encourage family support and involvement
• Include initiative and cooperative types of
  frames
• Provide opportunities to practice communication
  skills
• Provide opportunities for group decision making
• Allow participants to create experiences

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• Create opportunities to socialize with peers and
  adults
• Provide opportunities to belong
• Be caring have respect for them as persons,
  listen without being intrusive
• Provide consistent opportunities for recognition
• Model good behavior for participants

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Finally.

• Provide positive adherence to rules
• Discipline without criticism
• Be firm, fair, and fun!

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

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Protective Factors

• These were developed within the benefits based
  programming model in an effort to prepare target
  goals and issues facing participants
• Target goals should specify which protective
  factors will be developed for the particular
  population of interest for example youth at
  risk
• Programmers should use a planning sheet when
  developing goals. Example on page 56.

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• The protective factors that might be included for
  different populations
• Knowledgeable of neighborhood resources
• Caring adults are interested in him or her
• Is accepted and liked by others
• Has high controls against deviant behavior
• Has an appreciation of role models
• Has a positive attitude toward the future
• Values achievement
• Has the ability to work with others
• Has the ability to work out conflicts
• Has the perceived competence to do

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Exercise

• Using the BBP planning sheet on page 56, complete
  the sheet according the following information.
• A community college president noted that growing
  numbers of senior citizens are taking classes at
  the college. Several senior citizens approached
  the president about the apparent lack of fitness
  activities geared toward seniors. The president
  called a meeting between herself, the seniors,
  and the campus recreation director. The campus
  recreation director decided to use the BBP
  approach for the senior fitness program.

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Questions

• 1. What is the issue as identified by the
  president, senior citizen students, and campus
  recreation director?
• 2. What protective factors would you select for
  the target goals?
• Turn this in with your weekly assignment.

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