Tips for Assessing Readiness to Change

Tips for Assessing Readiness to Change
Tools to Strengthen Families and Communities



Readiness to change is a complex issue, as there are many ways for a person to stay comfortable, even if engaged in difficult or dangerous behaviors. Family workers can use this tool to informally asses a family’s readiness to change. Resistance is likely to occur when someone who is not ready is told to change. The following information is provided courtesy of the National Program Office of Free to Grow, Mailman School of Public Health. To read PDF files, get here.

Tips for Assessing Readiness to Change There are two basic techniques used to make the assessment: Look for signs and ask open-ended questions and follow-up inquiries. During supervision and consultation sessions, scenarios and role-playing can be used to practice the skills of assessing readiness. Full text [PDF, 1MB] See also: Tools to Strengthen Families and Communities [PDF, 20MB]

Tips for Assessing Readiness to Change. Tools to Strengthen Families and Communities. National Program Office of Free to Grow, Mailman School of Public Health. DHHS/ACF/OHS. 2006. English.