1. INSTRUCTIONAL POWER POINT MITEAM FOCUS GROUP

2.  Limit it to a productive size group of a maximum 25.  Make sure it is a diverse representation of those involved with child welfare.  Have your MiTEAM Liaison lead the Focus Group.  The meeting should be structured the same as an FTM. SELECTING PARTICIPANTS

3.  Directors/CEO  First-Line Staff  Supervisors  Private Agency Representation  Court Representation  Parents  Foster Parents/ Relative Caregivers  Youth  Tribal Government Representation  Community Partners  Community Mental Health SUGGESTED PARTICIPANTS

4.  Sign in sheet with title, agency, e-mail and phone information requested.  Markers  Name Tents  Flip Chart Paper  Agenda  MiTEAM Snapshot  MiTEAM Overview Power Point printed with 3 slides to a page. MATERIALS NEEDED

5.  One welcome sheet with your name (MiTEAM Liaison) and contact information.  Comfort Agreement or Ground Rule Sheet.  Teaming- 3 Sheets with the following labels after the word Teaming: Strengths, Barriers and Ideas.  Engagement -3 Sheets with the following labels after the word Engagement: Strengths, Barriers and Ideas.  Assessment- 3 Sheets with the following labels after the words Assessment & Concurrent Permanency Planning (CPP): Strengths, Barriers and Ideas.  Mentoring -3 Sheets with the following labels after the word Mentoring: Strengths, Barriers and Ideas. PRE-LABEL CHART PAPER

6.  Ground Rules  MiTEAM Overview  Facilitated Discussion (Strengths, Barriers and Ideas in regards to Teaming, Engagement, Assessment, CPP, and Mentoring)  Recap and Next Steps Note: Sample Agenda included in materials. AGENDA:

7.  Set an environment where people feel comfortable and safe sharing.  Ask them what they need as rules to say what is on their mind.  Make sure that respect of other’s opinions is added as a comfort agreement.  Make sure you set a tone of professionalism.  Chart the agreed upon rules. GROUND RULES OR COMFORT AGREEMENTS

8.  An overview of MiTEAM will be provided to you along with a script.  The script is there to give you ideas of what to cover, however you do not have to utilize it if you are comfortable with the material.  Make it natural.  Use your own experience to highlight certain best practices. OVERVIEW

9.  You can use the power point as more of a handout.  The overview should not last more than 20 minutes.  Allow for questions.  Make sure to cover the Concurrent Permanency Planning requirements and increase in visitation for ages 0-5. OVERVIEW

10.  Ask someone from the group to chart and help facilitate the discussion.  Switch up who assists so that one person is not doing it all.  Allow enough time to thoroughly discuss Teaming and CPP.  Utilize your pre-labeled chart paper to facilitate a discussion regarding your county’s strengths on Teaming, Engagement, Assessment and Mentoring.  Discuss your county’s barriers in the same areas as above.  After discussing barriers, ask focus group members to identify ideas to address the barriers listed. Remember to utilize the identified strengths that are listed.  Address questions to all members with respect to their position in the child welfare practice. DISCUSSION

11.  After you feel like the conversation has concluded, recap the discussion.  Address next steps and assigned responsibilities that were developed from the participants.  Determine if you need to conduct a follow-up focus group or break up into committees to address the identified barriers.  Conclude the meeting and thank all participants for their involvement. CONCLUSIONS