This book is dedicated to every person who chooses to be compassionate, attentive, responsive, and eclectic in seeking solutions to every problem that impacts all human beings, animals, and the environment. Humanity is what provides hope for the future.
In 2001, co-author Aaron T. Olson developed the CARE Approach to provide awareness and strategies to improve upon workforce and community relationships needed in public safety. Since its development, thousands of people have received training on the CARE Approach, including fire, police, corrections, 911, healthcare, business, and transportation professionals, and community college and university students.
The CARE Approach principle has been taught as part of the problem-solving curriculum with cultural diversity in criminal justice professions, multicultural strategies for firefighters, instructor development, employee interpersonal relations, and supervisor training classes. Further, the CARE Approach received national and international attention when co-author Aaron T. Olson introduced the CARE Approach in the leadership and professionalism chapter of the 2009 publication of Prentice Hall’s textbook Multicultural and Diversity Strategies for the Fire Service by co-writers Herbert Z. Wong, Ph.D., and Aaron T. Olson, M.Ed. (Wong and Olson, 2009).
Over the years, students who received instruction on the CARE Approach have embraced its principles in their personal lives, sharing it with their friends, children, families and in their professional lives; and want more people to know about it. In response to this growing interest beyond public safety, co-author ATO, a Baby Boomer, and co-author Paige E. Olson of Generation Z have combined their experiences and multi-generational insights to write the CARE Approach: Seeking Solutions for Human Problems in book and e-book form.
Businesses, law firms, communities, families, government, educational institutions, healthcare, police departments, courts, corrections, fire departments, emergency services, unions, churches, mosques, synagogues, and all other type of non-profit organizations, and more will benefit from using these CARE Approach strategies. Whether on the scene of an emergency, helping a patient, investigating a crime or incident, interviewing a victim, helping customers or the public, working with co-workers, working with other organizations, or making tough policy decisions that impact everyone and the environment, the CARE Approach is a helpful concept and principle to formulate action.
There are four elements in the CARE Approach and each component will be discussed fully in its own chapter. All four elements align themselves in the triad of cognitive, personal, and environmental factors in human functioning as explored in the Social Cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986 & Schunk, 2000). Regardless of whether the circumstances are operational (formal) or personal (informal) the principles are useful and effective for both conditions. The four elements of the CARE Approach are:
- Compassionate
- Attentive
- Responsive
- Eclectic
Following the chapters of these four elements (also known as components) will be comprehensive chapters which are:
- Who, What, When, Where, How and Why to Use the CARE Approach
- How to Teach the CARE Approach
- Conclusion
An added feature of this book are appendices which are:
- Appendix A: Speech Given on the CARE Approach to UPS Drivers By Keynote Speaker Aaron T. Olson
- Appendix B: Presentation outline of Police and Emergency Services to Immigrants and Refugees by Aaron T. Olson
- Appendix C: Public Safety Questionnaire for new immigrants and refugees developed by Aaron T. Olson
Whether you are a professional seeking to improve your relationships at work, a leader looking to enhance your team’s performance, or an individual trying to better your personal relationships, the detailed exploration of the CARE Approach in the coming chapters will provide you with invaluable strategies and insights. By understanding and applying the principles of the CARE Approach, you can maximize the potential of your interactions, foster a more harmonious environment, and truly embody the spirit of the ‘Golden Rule.’ So, let us embark on this transformative journey together. As former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt said over one hundred years ago, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
