CSS/Our Re-Conceptualized Framework to Problem-Solving
What is CSS®?
CSS® stands for the Cultivating SEEDS System Framework. In turn, SEEDS is an acronym for Social Emotional Education in Diverse Settings.
CSS® is an organizing framework that gives context, order and meaning to information obtained about a client’s background. The framework uses social emotional competencies and the social determinants of a person’s life course to explain human behavior. It also identifies the culturally responsive approach-the RUMERTIME Process to influence and transform lives and communities.
The Goals of the CSS® Framework
- To increase access to the de-stigmatized and de-mystified problem-solving strategy-the RUMERTIME ® Process so that individuals in diverse settings locally and globally can become conscious problem solvers and empowered life coaches as they acquire healthy social-emotional MARKERS™
- To educate, equip and empower individuals to effectively use social emotional competencies as they renew their minds, transform their lives and create safer communities.
The Components of the CSS® Framework
The CSS® Framework is comprised of six components and uses an agricultural metaphor to reconceptualize the promotion, practice and intervention of mental health
- Six theories
- Social emotional competencies
- Social determinants
- Triadic principles of social-emotional wellness(body/mind/spirit)
- Levels of engagement
- RUMERTIME® Process (the prevention/intervention strategy)
Each component works synergistically to create what we propose as a re-conceptualized approach to global mental health promotion, practice, and intervention.
Six Theories
The CSS® Framework is built on six well-established principles:
- Ecological Systems Theory
- Erikson’s eight-stage Psychosocial Life Span Development Model
- Strengths-Based Approach
- Social Learning Theory
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- Problem-Solving Therapy
The first four of these theories share some conceptual similarities that transcend theoretical bounds – they explain and conceptualize human behavior as occurring within and across social contexts.
The last two theories are cognitive behavior therapy and problem-solving therapy. These two approaches are widely used across settings and many of the techniques are scalable thus creating accessibility. They both focus on changing unhelpful patterns in cognition (thoughts and attitudes), behaviors and emotions so that the individual can develop personal coping strategies to solve current problems.
Agricultural Metaphor
The CSS® Framework is based on an agricultural metaphor – SEEDS, Social Emotional Education in Diverse Settings. SEEDS corresponds to the five core social emotional competencies. For example, the soil and essential growth elements in the plant world are the metaphorical equivalent of the social determinants of human development.
Here’s an excerpt of the table of the working definitions of the CSS™ Framework.
ELEMENTS OF CSS® FRAMEWORK DEFINITION
Social Emotional Competence
Social emotional competence is a person’s ability to Recognize, Understand, Manage, Express and Reflect upon the social and emotional aspects of their life in ways that enable them to successfully relate to themselves, and others. Being socially emotionally competent helps people to effectively navigate through life and its challenges, found in living, learning, working and loving.
Social Emotional Skills
There are five core social emotional competencies that the CSS® framework utilizes: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Management and Responsible Decision-Making Skills.
Social Determinants
The social determinants of mental health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age. These include the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life such as economic policies, development agendas, social norms, social policies and political systems.
Positive social determinants are necessary for developing social-emotional competencies. Many common mental health disorders have risk factors that are strongly associated with various social inequalities.
Levels of Engagement
The level of engagement refers to the “who” of the CSS® framework – the client. The individual, the family, the school, diverse work settings or the community – all of these can be the client. The person delivering the intervention engages with the client and operationalizes the CSS® goals, all at the appropriate level.
RUMERTIME® Process
The RUMERTIME® Process is a five-step social-emotional, problem-solving process that helps individuals move from a position of intra- and interpersonal imbalance to balance; and from unconscious living to conscious living.