CPS Plan B

What is the Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) model®(MGH), in a nutshell?

  • A unique and innovative strengths-based and neurobiologically grounded model, Collaborative Problem Solving (or CPS, as it is commonly referred to) was developed at Massachusetts General Hospital, and now continues to be researched and disseminated out of a program at MGH called Think:Kids. (Portions of this page are adapted from www.thinkkids.org)

  • An evidence-based approach for understanding and working with children and adolescents, as well as transition-aged youth and adults, who demonstrate challenging behavior

  • A mindful, empathetic and empowering way of parenting, teaching and otherwise serving typically developing children and teens
  • An approach designed to work with children and adolescents (as well as adults) across a wide variety of settings such as:
    – Home
    – School / Daycare
    – Foster Care
    – Therapeutic / Residential Settings
  • A way of operationalizing trauma-informed care on a large scale (i.e, systems-wide, state-wide, province-wide) through the framework of a common philosophy and language used in a structured relational process

Rick & Doris Bowman are Certified Trainers of the Collaborative Problem Solving® (CPS) approach by Think:Kids, a program based in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, MA – www.thinkkids.org

Excellent presentation! Offered fresh perspective for me and, eventually, to my family.
Carson

As both a special education teacher and a parent, the skills I learned during Collaborative Problem Solving Training provided by Rick and Doris have allowed me to better understand and support children and their needs. Their passion for the content and extensive real-life experiences have stoked an enthusiasm for sharing this strategy with other parents and colleagues. Additionally, their continued support after the training concluded led me to pursue becoming certified in Collaborative Problem Solving, with the goal of becoming a trainer.

Gwenyn Sasaki, Learning Specialist, Woodburn School District

Who can benefit from Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) Training®(MGH)?

  • Educators: Administrators, Teachers, Counselors, School Psychologists, Classified Staff
  • Childcare Providers
  • Foster Parents and Agency Staff
  • Juvenile Justice Staff
  • Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Practitioners
  • Law Enforcement & Other Public Safety Officers
  • Parents and Family Members

Collaborative Problem Solving was a new found blessing in my career. I wish I had met Doris and Rick sooner. I have 30+ years of educational experience and found their training to be excellent. CPS melds all of the best practice trainings I have had into a complete package. I highly recommend Bowman Consultants and the CPS training!

Shannon Criss, Superintendent, Harney Educational Service District

What’s to be gained by learning the CPS approach®(MGH)?

  • The ability to pursue high priority expectations
  • The ability to reduce challenging behavior
  • The ability to proactively solve problems in a durable manner
  • The ability to build skills that the child/individual is lacking
  • The ability to preserve or build a helping relationship while doing all of the above
Kids need our help
I felt like the presentation was great! We really got a chance to work on scenarios, and become comfortable with the process. Truly a great class, and I will be using the tools I learned today, not only in the work setting, but in my home.
Daycare Teacher

Ready to schedule your CPS training?

Call us at 503-896-6780 or click the button below go to our training calendar:

What’s the premise of the Collaborative Problem Solving®(MGH) approach?

Negative messages we send our kids
  • Challenging behavior is best understood as a by-product of lagging thinking skills (rather than, for example, as attention-seeking, manipulative, limit-testing or a sign of poor motivation)
  • These challenges are best addressed by teaching a child/person the skills they lack (rather than persisting in the use of intensive imposition of adult will, or punishment and reward systems that have proven unsuccessful thus far)
  • While challenging behaviors can look common across populations of children/people who get lumped into categories, the complexity of lagging thinking skills that set the stage for the challenging behavior can be quite unique to each individual, and assessing these skill deficits properly is key to making progress in solving the problems that are created by the behaviors
  • Proper assessment and planning is key to identifying the lagging thinking skills, and then implementing the CPS process referred to as “Plan B”, which integrates not only skill-building, but all of the components that have been shown to be sound practice for trauma informed care: rhythm, empathy, co-regulation of child/person and parent/practitioner, etc.

The Bowmans are engaging presenters who are passionate about supporting districts in their quest to help students be more successful in school and beyond. They are fully engaged with making sure the district has the support and tools they need to implement Collaborative Problem Solving.

Angela Crum, Student Services Director, Brookings-Harbor School District

Sounds like a lot of training and effort… What makes CPS worth the investment?

  • Brain research supports the use of Collaborative Problem Solving: Research by Dr. Bruce Perry (leading neuroscientist who studies impacts of childhood trauma on the brain – https://childtrauma.org/) among others, indicates that numerous aspects of the CPS process referred to as “Plan B” provide components that are critical in order for the brain to develop new neurological pathways. These new neural pathways can become what Dr. Perry refers to as a new “default template” that is necessary in order for the challenging behaviors to be replaced with new, more adaptable behaviors

  • Far less time, effort and agony are expended learning and implementing CPS than any of the following:
    – Imposing adult will in the face of resistance time and time again
    – Coming up with more and more elaborate systems of reward and punishment
    – Revisiting the same issues over and over with little or no skill development
  • CPS offers outcomes that are rarely, if ever, accomplished by traditional forms of responding to challenging behavior:
    – Proactively solving problems in a durable manner
    – Building critical, lifelong skills that the child/individual is lacking
    – Preserving or building/rebuilding a helping relationship while solving problems
Collaborative Problem Solving changes the brain!
Material was presented in a logical and inspirational way!
Traci
Makes the model come alive! Very authentic!
Michael

So what kind of Collaborative Problem Solving training is available?
How do I get training for myself or my organization?

Get new results with Collaborative Problem Solving!

Collaborative Problem Solving training typically occurs in 3 phases
for those who wish to become skilled at a level
that will promote consistent fidelity and outcomes:

  • Introductory Training – Ranging from 2-hour Overview to 8-hour Comprehensive Introductions, these provide a foundational understanding of the model and the essential components for implementation.
  • Tier 1 – A two and a half day training, complete with video modeling, role-playing, and case studies that equips participants to be proficient in solid implementation of the model, this includes: In-depth exposure to assessment, planning and intervention components; practice identifying triggers, unmet expectations and specific skill deficits; as well as trouble-shooting when the process is challenging.
  • Tier 2 – Taught exclusively by Think:Kids Staff, this level of training is for those who want to gain a higher level of proficiency, and be able to support others within their agency or organization, including: implementation in the most difficult situations, teaching the model to others, addressing common resistance and gaining buy-in, addressing systemic issues such as leadership during culture change, and enhancing communication structures.
I am very interested in attending the full version of this training. The presenter was fantastic and explained the info in a very easy to understand way. Great info and mindset as a starting point, and I definitely want to learn more!
Abbie

The presenter was very knowledgeable and open to questions throughout the class! I would refer others to this class.

Derrick

Ready to schedule your CPS training?

Call us at 503-896-6780 or click the button below to go to our training calendar: