 As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, summer invites us to pause, reflect and recharge. In our previous post on Lotería and the CANS series we focused on how El Árbol (The Tree) was used as a tool to discuss family strengths. In this installment, we’ll explore El Sol (The Sun) and how it can inspire us to approach strengths in the CANS. Just as the sun provides light and energy, strengths are the bright spots that illuminate a child’s potential and guide our collaborative work with families. Applying the Concept in Practice Some questions clinicians can ask their clients and their families are:
By helping families see their strengths as a source of light and growth, we empower them to build on those strengths and move toward meaningful change. When working with children and families, El Sol reminds us to seek out and amplify the positive elements in their lives. For example:
Part of our work is to help families see their own strengths and make those connections as seen in the examples. Questions like, “Walk me through what a typical day looks like for you” and “What are the things that help you cope during stressful times” are open-ended questions that help us see the bigger picture from a client’s perspective. We might not hear how a family has a strong cultural identity or how a client has empathy towards others with simple yes or no questions. Using the Lotería cards and the open questions can really help us get a better understanding of a client’s perspective on their strengths and needs. It is in those moments where the strength-based language and collaboration can really shine. As providers we can say, “It sounds like your culture and family are really important coping mechanisms during stressful times.” That invites our clients to add more information or clarify. Either way, it is a win win for us.  Using El Sol (The Sun) as a Supervision Tool The CANS is also a tool that can be brought into supervision to not only further deepen a clinician’s understanding of CANS items/ domains but overall their implementation of the CANS. El Sol (The Sun) is a powerful symbol of warmth, hope, and growth–qualities that align beautifully with the strengths-based philosophy of the CANS. In a CANS assessment session, El Sol can be used as a metaphor to spark reflection on how we, as providers, identify and build upon the strengths of children, youth, and families. The same can be true in supervision. Consider these prompts with a supervisee:
These questions encourage individuals to think creatively and collaboratively about the importance of centering strengths in assessment and planning. Additionally, it helps all the items in the CANS align. When a supervisor hears a provider describe crucial support from a "neighbor" or "community member," but the Natural Supports rating is a "3" (no evidence of a strength), it's an opportunity to discuss that difference further. Looking Ahead As we soak up the summer sun, let’s commit to shining a light on the strengths of the children, youth, and families we work with. Whether it’s celebrating small victories or uncovering hidden resilience, we have the privilege of being part of their journey toward growth and healing. We would love to hear your experiences and/or questions about using Lotería cards during your CANS assessments. Feel free to contact us. In future posts, we’ll continue to explore Lotería cards and their connections to CANS, blending cultural creativity with practical tools. Until then, let’s embrace the warmth and energy of El Sol as a guiding force in our work this summer. Here’s to brighter days and a renewed focus on strengths that help children and families thrive. 
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
|
RSS Feed
