User:Orionwell/sandbox

Overview
The Edge Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing coaching for those with executive functioning challenges. These can be the result of learning disorders (e.g., [|ADHD]ADHD), childhood trauma, [|PTSD] or other causes. The foundation provides coaching services to students in middle and high school, college students, and adults. The foundation is funded through a combination of grants, sponsorships and individual donations.

History & Founder
The Edge Foundation was established by Neil Peterson in 2006. A highly successful entrepreneur, Mr. Peterson founded 3 companies including the groundbreaking car-sharing service Flexcar, now known as [|Zipcar]. He also led the transportation agencies in Los Angeles, Oakland, and Seattle. During the past 12 years, he has worked to bring the same kind of innovation in school systems, mentoring programs, foster care and juvenile justice programs around the country through the Edge Training and Coaching program.

In 2009, the Edge Foundation expanded its coaching programs from private client coaching to coaching in public schools and charter schools. Edge trains teachers to use its coaching techniques for students the school has identified as needing these services. The in-school program is now operating in schools in New York, California, Washington DC, North Carolina and Washington state.

Edge Coaching Approach
There are four key elements to the Edge Coaching approach.


 * CONNECTION - A highly trained coach working one-on-one with a young person. Not parental, not disciplinary, not teacher, not therapist, and not just a well-meaning volunteer.
 * AGENCY - The youth directs the coaching session, not the adult. The coach asks “what is new for you this week?”  Whatever the answer, the young person decides what to focus on and that becomes the agenda for the coaching session.  The young person is in command.
 * COMPETENCE - The coach uses Edge’s non-directive questioning technique. This doesn’t direct the young person, but instead draws out a description and analysis of the problem being addressed, the young person’s goal, alternative strategies, and which strategy the youth wants to pursue in the coming week. The young person leaves the coaching session with total ownership of the problem, the goal, and the strategy to be used in the coming week. He or she feels competent to carry out the strategy for a week.
 * REPETITION - Coaching sessions happen every week. If the strategy selected for the past week was ineffective, that is acknowledged and the coach and young person determine that a different strategy needs to be developed.  This develops perseverance, grit and resilience.

Edge uses the same techniques that executive coaches use with senior business leaders: draw out a clear identification of the issue, get the person being coached to identify alternative approaches and own a strategy, get together again in a week, identify and own the results, strategize and try some more.