|
|
Click here to view or download "Health Care for All" in PDF format (1.2 MB), |
Developed in 2008 by Ruth Dudley Resource Center Director Amy Beveridge, this adult study curriculum is freely available for download here and for borrowing in the Ruth Dudley Resource Center. The complete curriculum includes a DVD, also available for loan from the Resource Center.
Two designs are included in the resource, one for a longer, single session; and one for a six-session series.
This curriculum is designed to:
The curriculum does not need an “expert” in the issues to guide the program. Rather, it is designed to be guided by a facilitator who has some skills with group dynamics and who can trust the participants to be the subjects (rather than the objects) of their own learning and decision-making. Thus the curriculum relies heavily on small-group interaction in which the participants engage with one another around content that is presented in various ways.
We suggest that the room be set up with tables and that, in so far as possible, groups of 4 to 6 people be seated at the tables. Group size is critical in that it allows for everyone to have time to be heard and provides an element of safety, particularly for more introverted participants whose thoughts can be easily passed over in larger group settings. Time is always built in for the large group to hear comments from the small groups so that everyone benefits from the thinking and insights of all the participants.
Paper and pencils, or pens, should be provided at each table. Pitchers of water and glasses are a nice touch!
The facilitator’s role is to guide the movement of the session. A “script” is provided. Suggested time length for each portion of the session is also provided. The art of the facilitator is to use his or her judgment about when to allow a discussion to go longer than the suggested amount of time. If the energy in the room and the engagement of participants with the subject matter is strong, by all means allow more time. Do remember, however, that it can be better to end a discussion than to let it go to the point where you are losing people’s attention.
The facilitator needs also to make certain everyone who wants gets a chance to speak, and to keep particularly strong personalities from dominating the conversation. To that end, we suggest some ground rules for both the large and small groups. These can be posted and reviewed at the beginning of each session. A sample page of ground rules is included in the Handouts section.
This curriculum does not seek to provide one “answer” to the health care situation in the United States. Rather it seeks to encourage the participants to become familiar with the issues, think carefully about possible solutions, and act on their faith commitments. Most likely, there will not be unanimity among group members about the best way to move ahead. But it is our hope that most participants will want to be engaged in some form of action that will help to move our country toward more just and equitable health care for all.
