Family Engagement Family Engagement StrategiesStrategies

Family Group Conferences and Family Team Family Group Conferences and Family Team MeetingsMeetings

Effectiveness and ChallengesEffectiveness and Challenges

A BRIEF HISTORYA BRIEF HISTORY

In 1980In 1980’’s Maoris in New Zealand were s Maoris in New Zealand were concerned about high rate of children being concerned about high rate of children being removed from homes and low rate of removed from homes and low rate of family reunificationfamily reunificationMaori people designed and government Maori people designed and government approved FGC process approved FGC process Resulted in improved outcomes for familiesResulted in improved outcomes for familiesLaw was passed in New Zealand that FGC Law was passed in New Zealand that FGC must be offered in all foster care casesmust be offered in all foster care cases

PHILOSOPHY OF FAMILY PHILOSOPHY OF FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCESGROUP CONFERENCES

Strength BasedStrength BasedChild CenteredChild Centered

Family Family FocusedFocused

Family Group Conferences and other family engagement models are:

STRENGTH BASEDSTRENGTH BASED•Strength Based

Recognize and utilize individual and family strengths

Based on positive psychology

Accesses family’s willingness to solve problems

•Deficit based

Based on deficits and pathologies

Lists of what is ‘wrong’ and ‘dysfunctional’

Family gets negative labels to rationalize the failure of the system

UNDERSTANDING STRENGTHSUNDERSTANDING STRENGTHS

UNDERSTANDING STRENGTHSUNDERSTANDING STRENGTHS

A strength is a consistent near perfect performance in an A strength is a consistent near perfect performance in an activity and it does not have to be artistic activity and it does not have to be artistic

For any activity to be a strength you must be able to do it For any activity to be a strength you must be able to do it consistently and this implies that it is a predictable part of yconsistently and this implies that it is a predictable part of your our performance. You must also derive some intrinsic satisfaction performance. You must also derive some intrinsic satisfaction from the activityfrom the activity

An ability is a strength only if you can fathom yourself doing An ability is a strength only if you can fathom yourself doing it repeatedly, happily , and successfully.it repeatedly, happily , and successfully.

One excels only by maximizing strengths, never by fixing One excels only by maximizing strengths, never by fixing weaknessesweaknesses

Talent, knowledge and skills combine Talent, knowledge and skills combine to create your strengths.to create your strengths.

Differentiate between what is innate and what you can acquire wiDifferentiate between what is innate and what you can acquire with th practicepractice……

TalentsTalents are your naturally recurring patterns of thought, feeling or are your naturally recurring patterns of thought, feeling or behavior. They can be productively applied. behavior. They can be productively applied. Talents are innate.Talents are innate.

If you lack the necessary talents, you cannot have consistent neIf you lack the necessary talents, you cannot have consistent near perfect ar perfect performance. The key to building a bona fide strength is to idenperformance. The key to building a bona fide strength is to identify your tify your dominant talents.dominant talents.

Factual knowledgeFactual knowledge is content. Experiential knowledge, some of which is is content. Experiential knowledge, some of which is conceptual conceptual –– like values and self awareness, can be gained.like values and self awareness, can be gained.

Skills Skills are the steps of an activity. are the steps of an activity. Skills can be acquiredSkills can be acquired. Skills bring . Skills bring structure to experiential knowledge. structure to experiential knowledge.

It is never possible to possess a strength without the requisiteIt is never possible to possess a strength without the requisite talent. talent.

CHILD CENTERED AND CHILD CENTERED AND FAMILY FOCUSEDFAMILY FOCUSED

The child’s protection and safety needs are at the center of the decision making process

Service is focused on building the family’s capacity to care for and protect the child

PURPOSEPURPOSE

Family Group Conferences bring the Family Group Conferences bring the  family and close support people together family and close support people together 

to make plans for children to have safe, to make plans for children to have safe,  stable, and permanent living stable, and permanent living 

arrangements, combining the strengths of arrangements, combining the strengths of  the family with the resources of the the family with the resources of the 

community to resolve issues and build oncommunity to resolve issues and build on‐‐ going supports.going supports.

FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCE FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCE STRUCTURESTRUCTURE

Introductions Introductions Information sharing Information sharing Private family timePrivate family timeAgreement and followAgreement and follow--upup

WHY DO FAMILY CENTERED WHY DO FAMILY CENTERED PRACTICE?PRACTICE?

WHY DO FAMILY CENTERED WHY DO FAMILY CENTERED PRACTICE?PRACTICE?

1. 1. Shifts responsibility for child Shifts responsibility for child safety, stability, permanency, and safety, stability, permanency, and family connections from DFS family connections from DFS to the family.to the family.

WHY DO FAMILY CENTERED WHY DO FAMILY CENTERED PRACTICE?PRACTICE?

2. 2. Supports case planning in all types of child Supports case planning in all types of child welfare caseswelfare cases

Identifies family resources and placement Promotes consensus in service planningFacilitates communicationFewer contested court hearingsConsistent with goals on Concurrent Planning

3. Strength-based processes are more effective

WHY DO FAMILY CENTERED WHY DO FAMILY CENTERED PRACTICE?PRACTICE?

4. 4. Saves moneySaves moneyPrevents placementsPrevents placementsExpedites permanencyExpedites permanencyFewer/No recurrences of abuse/neglectFewer/No recurrences of abuse/neglectFewer/No foster care reFewer/No foster care re--entriesentriesEffective tool to use with System of Care goalsEffective tool to use with System of Care goals

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FTMs RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FTMs AND FGCsAND FGCs

FTM:FTM:Conducted during the crisis phase to primarily Conducted during the crisis phase to primarily address issues of shortaddress issues of short--term planning for child term planning for child protection but may include longprotection but may include long--term planning.term planning.

FGC:FGC:Often follows an FTM after the crisis phase Often follows an FTM after the crisis phase has passed to primarily address issues of longhas passed to primarily address issues of long-- term planning; can be repeated as needed.term planning; can be repeated as needed.

PURPOSESPURPOSES

FTM:FTM:For the family and DFS to partner in making For the family and DFS to partner in making an immediate decision regarding child safety.an immediate decision regarding child safety.

FGC:FGC:For the family to make a decision that DFS can For the family to make a decision that DFS can support and that will create safety, support and that will create safety, permanency, and well being for the child at permanency, and well being for the child at risk of abuse/neglect.risk of abuse/neglect.

GOALSGOALS

FTM:FTM:The team, which includes the family, seeks The team, which includes the family, seeks consensus to protect the child.consensus to protect the child.

FGC:FGC:The family creates a plan to achieve the The family creates a plan to achieve the purpose of protecting the child.purpose of protecting the child.

DECISION RESPONSIBILITYDECISION RESPONSIBILITY

FTM:FTM:DFS and the family reach consensus. DFS and the family reach consensus. If consensus cannot be reached, DSS maintains If consensus cannot be reached, DSS maintains responsibility.responsibility.

FGC:FGC:The family crafts the plan in private. DFS The family crafts the plan in private. DFS approves the plan if it protects the child. If approves the plan if it protects the child. If consensus cannot be reached, DSS maintains consensus cannot be reached, DSS maintains responsibility.responsibility.

PREPARATIONPREPARATION

FTM:FTM:Limited preparation due to crisis nature of Limited preparation due to crisis nature of decision, usually 2 days. Referring Worker & decision, usually 2 days. Referring Worker & Coordinator share preparation.Coordinator share preparation.

FGC:FGC:Extensive preparation, usually 4 weeks. Extensive preparation, usually 4 weeks. Preparation is critically important to engage Preparation is critically important to engage the family in participating and leading the the family in participating and leading the process. Coordinator does all preparation.process. Coordinator does all preparation.

TEAM MEMBERSTEAM MEMBERS

FTM:FTM:Family and service providers are invited. All who Family and service providers are invited. All who attend have the familyattend have the family’’s permission to participate. s permission to participate.

FGC:FGC:Service providers and all persons with a familial Service providers and all persons with a familial connection or relationship to the child are invited connection or relationship to the child are invited unless they pose emotional and/or physical safety unless they pose emotional and/or physical safety risks. Those excluded are asked to participate through risks. Those excluded are asked to participate through writing, video, or audio.writing, video, or audio.

FAMILIES NOT APPROPRIATE FAMILIES NOT APPROPRIATE FOR REFERRALFOR REFERRAL

Not enough familyNot enough familyRefusal to participateRefusal to participateFamily not interested in making positive changeFamily not interested in making positive changeFamily and DSS cannot agree on purposeFamily and DSS cannot agree on purposeFamily cannot participate safelyFamily cannot participate safelyReferring worker is not open to accepting Referring worker is not open to accepting FamilyFamily’’s Plans PlanOther barriersOther barriers

Family Engagement Family Engagement –– Does it work?Does it work?

But Really, Does it Work? But Really, Does it Work?

YESYES

RESULTSRESULTSMultiple studies in various places show the following;Multiple studies in various places show the following;

International research demonstrates that families who choose to International research demonstrates that families who choose to participate in Family Group Conferencing experience,participate in Family Group Conferencing experience,

“…“…decreases in substantiated child abuse/neglect , emergency decreases in substantiated child abuse/neglect , emergency responses to crises and indicators of woman/wife abuse; and incrresponses to crises and indicators of woman/wife abuse; and increases eases in indicators that family members were safe at home.in indicators that family members were safe at home.””

The plans which families create are often more detailed and haveThe plans which families create are often more detailed and have greater greater expectations of family members than plans created by agency workexpectations of family members than plans created by agency workersers

Family plans are rarely vetoed by the social workersFamily plans are rarely vetoed by the social workers

Participating families experienced improved care for children, dParticipating families experienced improved care for children, decreased ecreased violence, improved family functioning and reduced drinking problviolence, improved family functioning and reduced drinking problems. ems.

RESULTSRESULTS

Increased safety for the child Increased safety for the child (R, AU, Norway, NL, TX, WA)(R, AU, Norway, NL, TX, WA)

Faster return to kin or bio parents Faster return to kin or bio parents (CA, DC, NL)(CA, DC, NL)

Public care prevented Public care prevented (NZ, US, UK)(NZ, US, UK)

Court Proceedings reduced Court Proceedings reduced (NZ, England, Scotland)(NZ, England, Scotland)

High levels of Family Participation, agreement High levels of Family Participation, agreement about plans, child and family approval and about plans, child and family approval and social worker approvalsocial worker approval

PROGRAM EVALUATIONSPROGRAM EVALUATIONS

American Humane AssociationAmerican Humane Association

http://www.americanhumane.org/protectinghttp://www.americanhumane.org/protecting--children/programs/familychildren/programs/family--groupgroup--decisiondecision--making/making/Issue briefs and a growing bibliography of Issue briefs and a growing bibliography of international research on the effectiveness of family international research on the effectiveness of family engagement models. The best resources around. If engagement models. The best resources around. If you cannot find it you cannot find it –– call them, they will help.call them, they will help.

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

Understand FamilyUnderstand Family--Centered Practice and Centered Practice and develop agency policy to support it.develop agency policy to support it.

A way of working with families, formally and A way of working with families, formally and informally, across service systems to enhance the familyinformally, across service systems to enhance the family’’s s capacity to care for and protect their children. capacity to care for and protect their children.

Family is defined broadly to include birth, blended, Family is defined broadly to include birth, blended, kinship, and foster and adoptive families.kinship, and foster and adoptive families.

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

Implementing a new Implementing a new process process –– a new way of a new way of doing businessdoing business

Attitudes Attitudes

Resistance to changeResistance to change

Training/SupervisionTraining/Supervision

CHALLENGE RESOLUTIONCHALLENGE RESOLUTION

Get support from Get support from top executivestop executives

THIS IS AN EFFORT TO BRING THIS IS AN EFFORT TO BRING ABOUT CULTURAL CHANGEABOUT CULTURAL CHANGE

Transformation to a strengthTransformation to a strength--based approach requires the based approach requires the dedication of top executives and upper management to work dedication of top executives and upper management to work through the processes of organizational change.through the processes of organizational change.

Two tools that can help bring about this change and create a Two tools that can help bring about this change and create a successful familysuccessful family--centered practice are:centered practice are:

1. The American Humane Association's "Key Decision Point Matrix 1. The American Humane Association's "Key Decision Point Matrix for for the Implementation of Family Group Decision Making" the Implementation of Family Group Decision Making"

2. Prochaska and Di Clemente's Trans Theoretical Model of Change2. Prochaska and Di Clemente's Trans Theoretical Model of Change..

UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STRENGTH BETWEEN STRENGTH ––BASED AND BASED AND

OTHER MODELSOTHER MODELS

This is a new way of thinking.This is a new way of thinking.ProblemProblem--focused or deficitfocused or deficit--based assessment based assessment leads to conclusion that there is something leads to conclusion that there is something "wrong" with children and families"wrong" with children and families..Family Engagement focuses on the needs and Family Engagement focuses on the needs and welfare of children within the context of their welfare of children within the context of their families and communities. families and communities.

Professionals can feel overwhelmed by the Professionals can feel overwhelmed by the difficulties a child/ family presents and rationalize difficulties a child/ family presents and rationalize that the remedial efforts failed because the children that the remedial efforts failed because the children and their families are "unmotivated," "resistive," and their families are "unmotivated," "resistive," "lacking insight," and/or "not ready" for change."lacking insight," and/or "not ready" for change.

Family Engagement recognizes the strengths of Family Engagement recognizes the strengths of family relationships and build on these strengths to family relationships and build on these strengths to achieve optimal outcomes. achieve optimal outcomes.

CHALLENGE / RESOLUTIONCHALLENGE / RESOLUTION

PROVIDE LOGISTICAL SUPPORT TO PROVIDE LOGISTICAL SUPPORT TO THE PROGRAMTHE PROGRAM

Promote the practice throughout the Promote the practice throughout the community community CourtsCourtsCommunity Services BoardsCommunity Services BoardsSchoolsSchoolsFAPT FAPT Private AgenciesPrivate Agencies

Funding possibilities include:Funding possibilities include:

Program improvement plan Program improvement plan InIn--house CSAhouse CSA CSA contracted out to private agenciesCSA contracted out to private agencies Regular staff positionRegular staff position

Use graduate student internsUse graduate student interns

2. FUNDING FOR STAFF

3. 3. ADDITIONAL EVENTADDITIONAL EVENT-- RELATED FUNDINGRELATED FUNDING

Food for families who will spend long hours together.

Transportation assistance for family members

Hotel accommodations for out-of-town attendees when family

resources are not available.

Room Rental for conference if agency space is not available..Child Care when needed.

Training for staff

Administrative supportBrochuresTranslation resources

4. COMMUNITY SUPPORT4. COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Community Advisory Committee

Developing community support

Model Court and Court Improvement projects

Adapting the Family Centered practice of FGC’s has augmented the Model Court and Court Improvement projects

Community Trainings

5. TRAINING5. TRAININGInformal - Local travel and support through the Forum – an informal regular gathering of FGC practitioners across the state providing peer support, successful practices, articles and discussion of common or unique issues.

Formal - American Humane provides excellent on site and teleconference training.

National Conferences - American Humane annual national conference provides an exceptional source of intensive training

Peer Supervision

Supervision

ONGOING CHALLENGESONGOING CHALLENGESTo accept the idea that families can make as good or To accept the idea that families can make as good or better decisions than we can.better decisions than we can.

To task ourselves as parents, foster parents, social To task ourselves as parents, foster parents, social workers, probation officers, mental health professionals, workers, probation officers, mental health professionals, judges, supervisors and agency directors judges, supervisors and agency directors -- wherever we wherever we are in our systems are in our systems -- to be strength based. to be strength based.

To work to find, recognize and utilize individual child, To work to find, recognize and utilize individual child, parent and family strengths, to help build these into parent and family strengths, to help build these into competencies and improve the lives of our clients.competencies and improve the lives of our clients.

Michael Doolan, American Humane Fellow, ONZM, MSW (Distinction),Michael Doolan, American Humane Fellow, ONZM, MSW (Distinction), BA, Diploma in BA, Diploma in Social Sciences, MANZASWSocial Sciences, MANZASW

MIKE DOOLAN IS A SENIOR FELLOW FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORMIKE DOOLAN IS A SENIOR FELLOW FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK, K, UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY, CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND. HE WAS THE UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY, CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND. HE WAS THE CHIEF CHIEF SOCIAL WORKER FOR NEW ZEALANDSOCIAL WORKER FOR NEW ZEALAND’’S STATUTORY CHILD WELFARE AGENCY, THE S STATUTORY CHILD WELFARE AGENCY, THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD, YOUTH AND FAMILY, UNTIL 2001.DEPARTMENT OF CHILD, YOUTH AND FAMILY, UNTIL 2001.

MIKE HAS AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND IN CHILD PROTECTION, CHILD WELFMIKE HAS AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND IN CHILD PROTECTION, CHILD WELFARE AND ARE AND WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHO OFFEND. HE LED YOUTH JUSTICE REFORM IWORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHO OFFEND. HE LED YOUTH JUSTICE REFORM IN NEW N NEW ZEALAND, WHICH INCLUDED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FAMILY GROUP CONZEALAND, WHICH INCLUDED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCE FERENCE IN THE CHILDREN, YOUNG PERSONS AND THEIR FAMILIES ACT OF 1989.IN THE CHILDREN, YOUNG PERSONS AND THEIR FAMILIES ACT OF 1989.

There are no more Mauri children in the care of non There are no more Mauri children in the care of non tribal or non family members in New Zealand. They tribal or non family members in New Zealand. They dondon’’t even call it t even call it ““Foster CareFoster Care”” anymore, they call it anymore, they call it ““Stranger CareStranger Care””

HOPEHOPEMichael Michael DoolanDoolan, American Humane Fellow, ONZM, MSW (Distinction), BA, Diploma , American Humane Fellow, ONZM, MSW (Distinction), BA, Diploma in Social Sciences, MANZASWin Social Sciences, MANZASW

MIKE DOOLAN IS A SENIOR FELLOW FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SOMIKE DOOLAN IS A SENIOR FELLOW FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK, CIAL WORK, UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY, CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND. HE WAS THE UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY, CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND. HE WAS THE CHIEF CHIEF SOCIAL WORKER FOR NEW ZEALANDSOCIAL WORKER FOR NEW ZEALAND’’S STATUTORY CHILD WELFARE AGENCY, THE S STATUTORY CHILD WELFARE AGENCY, THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD, YOUTH AND FAMILY, UNTIL 2001.DEPARTMENT OF CHILD, YOUTH AND FAMILY, UNTIL 2001.

MIKE HAS AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND IN CHILD PROTECTION, CHMIKE HAS AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND IN CHILD PROTECTION, CHILD WELFARE AND ILD WELFARE AND WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHO OFFEND. HE LED YOUTH JUSTICE REFORM IWORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHO OFFEND. HE LED YOUTH JUSTICE REFORM IN NEW N NEW ZEALAND, WHICH INCLUDED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FAMILY GROUP CONZEALAND, WHICH INCLUDED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCE FERENCE IN THE CHILDREN, YOUNG PERSONS AND THEIR FAMILIES ACT OF 1989.IN THE CHILDREN, YOUNG PERSONS AND THEIR FAMILIES ACT OF 1989.

There are no more Mauri children in the care of non There are no more Mauri children in the care of non tribal or non family members in New Zealand. They tribal or non family members in New Zealand. They dondon’’t even call it t even call it ““Foster CareFoster Care”” anymore, they call it anymore, they call it ““Stranger CareStranger Care””

FINAL THOUGHTSFINAL THOUGHTS

Family Engagement is a practice,Family Engagement is a practice,not a program not a program

Family engagement is a process,Family engagement is a process,not an event not an event

So, someday, this might just So, someday, this might just happenhappen……

Thank You !Thank You !

Christian VolzChristian Volz Coordinator, Coordinator,

Family Group Conferencing Family Group Conferencing Loudoun County Department of Family Loudoun County Department of Family ServicesServices

102 Heritage Way N.E.102 Heritage Way N.E.

Suite 103Suite 103 Leesburg, VALeesburg, VA

2017620176

(571) 258(571) 258--31233123