1. WrapCT Presents: Changing Agency Culture - Best Practice

2. First Big Idea Just because you have some values doesn’t mean you are of value to families Pat Miles

3. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Community Based Strengths Technology Cluster Unconditional Care Normalization Cultural Competency Collaboration Needs Driven Refinancing Family Centered System Integration Wraparound: A Cluster of Technologies

4. Putting Values into Action Exercise

5. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Building on Strengths  Maintaining strengths-based conversation and documentation  Knowing how to reframe in a meaningful way  Encouraging creative resource development  Promoting a strength-based culture of service delivery

6. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Needs Driven  Identifying needs of your local communities  Listening for needs rather than problems or deficits  Developing and implementing plans that are needs driven rather than service driven  Avoid prescribing solutions that are deficit driven

7. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Family Centered  Agencies are welcoming to families  Staff uses family friendly language  Respect for privacy – information is shared on a need to know basis  Meetings are not held without children and families present  Brochures & documents are reviewed by family members before distribution

8. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Community Based Responsiveness  Money flows to support what families really need  Agencies are imbedded into the communities where families live, i.e. are accessible  Operating hours of business and meetings are responsive to families schedules

9. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Care for Children in Context of Families  Commitment to family cohesion in a safe environment  Natural/informal supports are embraced in a real way  Prevention of institutional placement  Permanency for children is paramount

10. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Never Give Up Unconditional Care  Systems and agencies are not permitted to kick kids and families out  Blame the plan not the family  Hold everyone accountable for follow- through  Remain outcome driven

11. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Normalization  Family norms/family culture are recognized as important for success  Awareness and education around the stigma of mental health  Promoting youth and family events not just “support” groups  Avoid duplication or overutilization of formal services

12. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Cultural Competency  Agency diversity, hiring practices, policies and training  Open dialogue regarding differences is embraced  All committees, training, events have family membership and participation  All planning is individualized to account for each family’s culture

13. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Collaboration System Integration  Are the right parties at the table?  Is everyone participating?  Is everyone held accountable for their part?  Is one plan established to account for all systems?  Are resources being shared?  Are agencies working together to meet the needs of a common community?

14. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Refinancing  Use of Multiple Resources  Creative and Responsible Use of Flex Funds  Think Sustainability

15. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Evaluating Agency Practice

16. Second Big Idea Holding meetings to discuss plans for youth and families without them present is like building a bridge to nowhere MJ Meyers

17. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 What is a Child and Family Team  The child and family identify a group of people who will work with them and help prepare the plan of care.  Composed of informal and formal members who will continue to support the family after leaving the program.  The Child and Family Team should meet as frequently as needed (at least once a month).

18. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Best Practice Bench Marks  50/50 – Balanced Team within 3 months  20/80 – Formal/Informal 6 months and beyond

19. Third Big Idea Just because you have it, it doesn’t mean children and families need it MJ Meyers

20. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Categorical Approach  Assess Problems  Look at Services that are Available…  Plug Services into the Family

21. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Examples of a Categorical Approach  Services reflect what’s available and has been tried rather than what’s really needed

22. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Barriers & Solutions

23. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 Lessons Learned  Don’t do it unless it holds meaning for families  Keep the excitement going  Keep your eye on the ball; vigilance is a must  Establish meaningful QA/QI procedures  Lead by example  Celebrate your successes  Never give up – families deserve your best!

24. Mary Jo Meyers consultmjm@hotmail.com ChangingAgencyCulture 2009 For More Information Contact: For WrapCT Tim Marshall 860 550 6531 For Training and content material Mary Jo Meyers, MS Phone: 414.257.7521 consultmjm@hotmail.com