User talk:Orionwell

Edge Foundation

Overview
The Edge Foundation, based in Seattle, WA, was founded in 2006. Its mission is to provide coaching to individuals who have learning and attention challenges due to a disorder (e.g., [| ADHD]), [| adverse childhood experiences], [| PTSD], or other issues. The foundation provides these services to middle school, high school and college students, as well as adults. The organization provides both private coaching and in-school coaching.

History
The Edge Foundation was established in 2006 by Neil Peterson. A highly successful entrepreneur, Mr. Peterson founded 3 companies including the car sharing service Flexcar, now known as [| Zipcar]. He also led the transportation agencies in Los Angeles, Oakland, and Seattle in their shift toward modernization. During the past 10 years, he has fostered 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 from private client coaching to in-school coaching. Through its in-school program, it trains teachers in the Edge coaching techniques in order to reach a broad spectrum of students from all economic backgrounds. Today, the Edge in-school program is used in schools in the states of New York, California, North Carolina, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

In 2010, a research study conducted by Wayne State University highlighted the effectiveness of the Edge coaching technique relative to other interventions.

Edge Coaching Techniques
There are 4 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 nondirective 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.

Orionwell (talk) 23:56, 28 January 2018 (UTC)