Information Service An activity whereby descriptive materials and media are accumulated, organized, and disseminated through individual

advising or counseling or through planned group activities. Clients Benefits Get a wide range of information from diverse sources Discover more possibilities than had already been thought about Weigh the pros and cons of each possibility Make an informed decision on the matter at hand The service helps Counselors in that it Provides a wide variety of information that counselors alone cannot give Extends information to a greater number of students even without individual contact Increases and updates the counselors own knowledge as a basis for guiding clients 3 Kinds of Information Personal-Social; Academic-Educational; Vocational-Occupational Target Audience of Info Service - Students; Faculty; Parents; Administrators; Support and maintenance staff Personnel Involved - Guidance Director; Guidance Counselors; Outside speaker/s Major Vehicle of Info Dissemination Printed Information Material (pamphlets, books, magazines, journals) Small Group Guidance Activities Homeroom Guidance/Classroom Guidance Activities Seminars, Symposia, Conferences Individual Inventory Service Individual Inventory - Consists of all the information gathered about each individual in school. Information is stored in a Cumulative Folder Nature and Purpose Systematically collects, evaluates, and interprets data to identify the characteristics and potential of every client. For

proper diagnoses, predicting progress and behaviors, accurate placement, and program evaluation. It enables the CLIENT to: Develop a deeper, fuller self-awareness Create appropriate plans for improving the quality of his/her life based on this awareness and self-undertanding It enables the COUNSELOR to: Get to know the client Facilitate the clients self-awareness, selfunderstanding and decision making Ascertain appropriate avenues for clients to pursue Determine the best options for helping the client Assist significant others in understanding the client. FOCAL INFO AND DATA GATHERING TOOLS Personal Information - Personal data; Age; Family background and home environment; Hobbies, interests, goals, values; Personal strengths and personality traits and characteristics; Problems and needs Educational Data - Schools attended; Grades; Co-curricular and extracurricular activities; Courses taken HEALTH DATA SOCIAL DATA FRIENDS TEST RESULTS INTERVIEW SUMMARIES Sincerity is the key The Counselor as a Consultant The consultant, in general, is an individual with special expertise knowledge and skill in a specific area. A counselor, as a consultant, acts more of an adviser or enhancer rather than as a therapist. Nature and Purpose of Consultation

In the school setting, the most important benefit derived from consultation is that work with the clients is facilitated. Stages/Steps in the Consultation Process 1. Establish a Consulting Relationship- Rapport, understanding, empathy and setting responsibilities 2. Clarify the Problem Situation- Determining the REAL problem or issue. 3. Determine Desired Outcomes- Setting goals that are MEASURABLE and OBSERVABLE 4. Developing Ideas and Strategies- Facilitating brainstorming by being open to new ideas presented and offering further strategies 5. Developing a Plan- A final plan is selected through a collaborative discussion between the consultant and the consultee 6. Specify the Plan- Setting and discussing the details of the plan with the consultee. 7. Confirming the Consulting RelationshipInitiating the discussion of the problem-solving process and engaging in follow-up meetings to monitor the progress of the plan. Consultation Models Provision Model- Used wherein it would be difficult for the consultee to have intervention. Prescriptive Model- Used when consultees lack confidence in their own strategies; or does not have the required knowledge and skills Collaboration Model- Used to facilitate the consultees self-direction and innate capacity to solve problems. Mediation Model- The consultant is on the look out for potential issues Qualities of the Consultant Aware of the psychological, sociological, educational factors that may underlie certain maladaptive pattern of behavior Has expertise in a variety of areas where his/her services may be needed by the clientele. Has a knowledge of the resources that the consultee or the client may need Has the ability to make sound judgment to make the appropriate decisions for client where necessary

Is dedicated, conscientious, and industrious enough to continually update himself/herself in the various areas on which he/she may be consulted. Exudes confidence and ease in dealing with people; and, equanimity. Interested in helping and is concerned about the welfare of the consultee and the client Articulate and systematic- able to present strategies and their theoretical framework in ways that are easily understood. Intelligent and creative Assertive Special Skills Required Has the ability to recognize and understand differing environments Counseling Skills

Problem Solving Skills Facilitating Skills Coordinating Skills Mediating Skills Planning Skills Skills in Educating Skills in Motivating Consulting in Schools

Administrator/Management - The Counselor/Consultant can offer the following services, but not limited to, Team Building, Time Management, Anger Management, Stress Management, The Primacy of Work Attitudes, Values Clarification and Development Counseling with Teachers - Providing teachers a profile of the students intellectual capacity, personalities, needs, values, learning styles, etc; Providing in-service training; Recommending improvements in curriculum and classroom instructions, etc Consulting with Parents - Parent-Child Dialogues; Workshops on Effective Parenting and Behavior Management; Symposia on Empowering Children, Motivating Children, Career Planning with Children, Substance abuse, etc Consulting with Students - Time Management; Study Habits and Skills; Interpersonal Skills; Negotiation Skills; Life Skills, etc