The Pathways to Potential Approach

We believe everyone has the potential to achieve their dreams. Some just need extra support and assistance along the pathway to achieve their potential. In 2012, we created Pathways to Potential. Pathways is an innovative approach to providing human services that targets five outcome areas: attendance, education, health, safety and self-sufficiency. The Pathways to Potential approach relies on three critical elements to help clients reach their greatest potential:

1. We go where the client is located. By going into the communities where our clients work, live and go to school, our staff gains a greater understanding of the barriers that are preventing them from reaching their greatest potential. Working together in the community puts clients and their family members at ease. Employees are able to build trust with clients so they will disclose challenges before they become barriers that prevent them from reaching their goals of independence.
2. We work one-on-one with families to identify and remove barriers and connect them to a network of services. We know it’s not healthy, effective or sustainable for a family to only be involved with DHS on the road to reaching its greatest potential. For that reason, we connect families to entire networks of support so each member has the long-term support they need to reach their goals. Whether it’s an algebra tutor for a student in the family or a referral to the Michigan Economic Development Co.
3. Engaging community partners and school personnel in our efforts to help families find their pathway to success. In our effort to link families to entire networks of services, we also help schools and community organizations connect with families. By building on relationships with families established through our work in the community and schools, we’re increasing the likelihood that when referrals are made to community partners, families will follow through. These relationships also help to develop trust between school personnel and parents, leading to reduced truancy, increased parental involvement and improved academic performance.

Learn More:

http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,...890_69986---,00.html