Family Group Decision Making A Partnership Approach

FGDM Presentation Overview History Principals/Philosophy General Model of FGDM Research Alternate Models St. Louis County Partner Options

FGDM History Child Young Persons & Families Act, New Zealand, 1989 Adaptations of New Zealand Model Minnesota Law allowed the use of FGDM, 1997

Guiding Principals for Child Welfare Children must be safe from harm Children must have a sense of a permanent home Children must have their physical, mental and educational needs met

Guiding Principals for Child Welfare Families, communities and the government must work together to ensure child safety, permanency & well being Families are primarily responsible for their children. Children should be with their family whenever possible

FGDM Philosophy Family Centered  Families have the most knowledge about themselves  Families offer a sense of security and belonging to their members  Family ties need to be supported even when concerns are present

FGDM Philosophy FGDM is responsive to Family Culture  Family traditions, values, history, religion and heritage are explored with the coordinator.  Cultural practices can be integrated in meetings  Families can involve community members who support their culture.  Conference location can be culturally responsive

FGDM Philosophy Families have strengths that can be used to develop safety plans for children  Families can be responsible for their members  Families can develop and participate in safety plans  Families want success for their members

FGDM Philosophy FGDM develops and fosters cooperation among community, government and families  Families are encouraged to involve community providers they believe are helpful  Families identify who they believe are important to participate in conferences  Government and Community providers collaborate with Family & Kin for safety

General Models of FGDM FGDM is an Umbrella Term  Conferences generally involve: Preparation Time The Meeting and Family Plan Follow Up

FGDM Preparation Key To Successful Conferences Average Prep Time 30 Hours Informed Consent From Family Relationship Established

FGDM Preparation Purpose and Process Discussed Learn About Family Culture Explore Safety concerns Neutrality of Facilitator

FGDM Meetings Opening/Introductions Rules For Meetings Strengths & Concerns Bottom Lines For Safety Cultural Considerations

FGDM Meetings Food and Beverages Family Alone Time  Develop the Plan  Facilitator is Accessible Presentation of the Family Plan Follow Up Meeting Possible Evaluation

Research: Emerging Themes Challenges in implementation Need for greater family involvement  Family voice is not heard in the implementation process  Only a small number of families are given access to FGDM Importance of the Facilitator/Coordinator

Research: Emerging Themes FGDM remains a under-utilized practice Family plans developed through the FGDM process are safe and overwhelmingly accepted by the court FGDM improves the communication between service providers and family members

Research: Emerging Themes Family group conferences increase involvement of fathers Family members are satisfied with their influence on the decision making process Family Group Decision Making appears to provide cost savings

Research: Minnesota 2000 state-wide evaluation of FGDM  Examination of: Program implementation Participant satisfaction Post-conference outcomes Cost

Research: Minnesota State-Wide Study  Conducted by Olmsted County  Evaluated: Demographics of participants Types of FGDM models Satisfaction Outcomes  Safety  Permanency  Well-Being

Alternative Models Emancipation Conferences Talking Circles Restorative Justice Conferences Education Conferences Elder Care Conferences Domestic Violence

St. Louis County Grant Partnership Options 50% Reunification/Permanency  Children in placement  Most placements will be Court ordered  Permanency options include: TOC, LTFC, Adoption  Parallel Protection Process

SLC Grant Partnership Options 50 % Support  Youth in transition  Domestic Violence  Family safety planning  Alternative response family plans  Early intervention plans

Grant Partner Plans Fond du Lac Bois Forte Carlton County St. Louis County

Partnership Support Advisory committee Partnership practitioner meetings Consultation with experienced grantees Internal supervision/support American Humane Society resources

Data Collection Quarterly report to DHS Data collected on each conference Compilation of State data re: Safety, Permanency and Well Being Monthly DHS Core meetings Quarterly FGDM Practitioner meetings

FGDM Summary Promising/developing practice Cooperative partnership with families More conducive to reaching plans for safety, permanency and well being Community involvement and ownership