Family Team Meetings and Georgia DFCS

1. Family Team MeetingsandGeorgia DFCS Policy Incorporation

2. A process A partnership A procedure What is a FTM?

3. Prevent the Placement/Replacement of Ga�s children Reduce the length of stay for Ga�s children Reduce the number of disruptions for those children in care The overarching goals of FTMs:

4. Prior to the initiation of a Safety Resource or safety Plan Within 45 calendar days of a case identified for FPS Within 3-9 days of a child entering out of home care Prior to development or reassessment of the Family Plan Prior to changes in Permanency plan/goals Prior to changes in Placement FTM�s and Critical Case Junctures

5. Prior to court hearings Upon the requests from the family or other Team members Significant of lack of progress Significant changes in the family Within 6 months of a child in out of home care reaching their 18th birthday Prior to Case closure FTM�s and Critical Case Junctures

6. The FTM & the CM Make the Referral Within Required Time Frames Utilize the FTM referral form Engage the Family Encourage the Family to include Informal supports Family members Friends Community support system (as identified by the family) Faith-Based supports Advocate for inclusion of Formal Supports CASA The FTM Procedure

7. School Pediatrician (representative) Therapist/Counselor Foster Parents Service Providers Ensure that all Critical decisions/plans are developed Provide a List of Non-Neg that MUST be addressed The FTM Team should be in place at time of Case Closure The FTM Procedure (cont)

8. The FTM Coordinator/Designee Engage the Family Encourage the Family to include their Informal Supports Family Friends Members of community support system Faith-based supports Advocate with the Family CASA School Pediatrician (representative) The FTM Procedure (cont)

9. Therapist/Counselor Foster Parents Service Providers Coordinate the FTM Obtain pertinent info Allegations/concerns Safety concerns Sensitive issues Participants Purpose of the FTM Conduct a Prep Interview In the home or other location The FTM Procedure (cont)

10. Prep the other members of the Team The Prep Interview is Required for every FTM Ensure that family understands what to expect Discuss Safety Concerns Discuss the Potential sources of Conflict Discuss the Required Legal/Agency mandates Discuss the Non-Negotiables Discuss Confidentiality/HIPPA Supports (Informal & Formal) should be oriented on their roles in making a positive contribution to the FTM Schedule the FTM within required Timeframes Ensure that FTM location & date/time is convenient for the family The FTM Procedure (cont)

11. Conduct the FTM Follow the structured FTM model Follow Standards of Practice for DFCS FTMs Ensure families: Actively participate Are fully involved Share in the decision making process Ensure that FTM goals are achieved Ensure HIPPA/Confidentiality stipulations are followed Ensure FTM documentation is provided to all appropriate participants at conclusion of FTM Document FTM in Georgia Shines The FTM Procedure (cont)

12. Select the Family Plan tab (FPS or FC stage) Select the FTM tab (3rd level tab) Enter the FTM info Meeting date Start time Location Participants Narrative Safety concerns requiring separate FTMs (more on this) Etc The DFCS CM will: Make all required referrals for services Develop an Action Plan to follow up with needs identified in the FTM The FTM Procedure (cont)

13. FTMs � Core Component of Family Centered Approach Identify a Team Develop/Implement an Individualized Family Plan Builds on Strengths to Address Needs DFCS supports Group Decision Making process to: Develop/incorporate Family Plan Alleviate Safety/Risk Factors Gain understanding of the Family�s Strengths, Needs & Support System The FTM � Practice Guidance

14. What is a FTM? A Gathering Informal supports Formal supports A Purpose Develop individualized plans Strengthen family capacity A Declaration Safety Permanency Well-being A Forum for Change The FTM � Practice Guidance

15. The FTM is: Facilitated Competent Trained Approved Structured Follows the FTM Model Discusses Strengths before Needs/Concerns Task Oriented Develop a Family Plan Make a Decision The FTM � Practice Guidance

16. The FTM: Fully engages the Family Develops specific plans jointly Addresses Safety/Risk Designs Services Identifies Supports The FTM MUST BE SAFE!! In Cases involving FV, CM must address Safety Issues for the victim parent See Practice Guidance DV Cases The FTM � Practice Guidance

17. The Purpose of FTMs Develop Formal Plans Address Safety Factors Establish Permanency Plans Promote Families Self-Sufficiency Promote Well Being of children The FTM � Practice Guidance

18. FTM Members: Primary Family (parent/caretakers) Children/Youth Other Family members (extended) Foster Parents Relative Caregivers Neighbors Friends Religious/Faith-Based supports OFI Schools Mental Health Providers The FTM � Practice Guidance

19. CASA Substance Abuse Treatment Providers Other Service Providers Children Engaged in the FTM Consult with parents, gain approval Considerations for inclusion: Age Developmental level Emotional level The FTM � Practice Guidance

20. Fathers & the FTM Should be included in development of plan/decisions made Includes Alleged/Putative Fathers If mother objects: CM should engage mother around purpose of FTM, outlining benefits of father�s participation DFCS recognizes father�s RIGHT to be a part of the Team DFCS will work to include father and make him an equal participant The FTM � Practice Guidance

21. If Mother Refuses: FTM documentation MUST reflect the SPECIFIC safety concerns which necessitate having separate FTMs Examples (but not limited to) Protective Orders Parent Child Court order no contact with children Other assessed Safety Concerns DV See Practice Guidance regarding DV Cases The FTM � Practice Guidance

22. ILP For Youth Eligible for services ILP Coordinator should be included CASA Valuable asset Serves as an advocate for the child Provides valuable support in court Can gain first hand knowledge Supports Team�s Recommendations in Court The FTM � Practice Guidance

23. The FTM Preparation Interview Successful FTMs REQUIRE care preparation of the family Goal of the Prep: Engage & Empower Family Focused on Shared Planning & Decision Making Conducted by the Facilitator/Designee: In the home whenever possible Family identifies supports Family provided with FTM brochure Family informed of the specific stages/format of FTM HIPPA/Confidentiality discussed Legal Issues/Non-Negotiables explained The FTM � Practice Guidance

24. Potential conflicts or safety issues discussed, along with plans to resolve/prevent Role of the participants discussed Family has opportunity to ask questions or address concerns Are any special accommodations necessary? Need for an interpreter? Date, place, time of FTM is discussed Consider arranging around school schedules, to minimize school absences Family provided with written & verbal info on the date, place & time of FTM Discuss childcare/transportation issues Other participants should be contacted, provided information about FTM and role within the process The FTM � Practice Guidance

25. Domestic Violence Cases Primary concern is the Safety of the Team Must be treated with appropriate care Family is the best source of information Safety/Risk Assessment MUST be completed prior to FTM Discussion must include: Potential conflict? Existing Orders of Protection? Potential violation of provisions? With Victim, what will ensure her safety (or children�s)? The FTM � Practice Guidance

26. Two FTMs may be necessary RECOMMENDED: inclusion of a community partner with expertise in DV or a DV liaison The FTM � Practice Guidance

27. Standards of Practice for DFCS FTM DFCS FTM Prep Interview Worksheet FTM HIPPS Release Form FTM Brochure (English & Spanish) Social Services County Letter No 08-01 Family Team Conferences in DV Cases: Guidelines for Practice FTM References

28. In regards to the new FTM policy requirement stating that FTM's are required before court hearings...does this mean ALL court hearings in ALL program areas or just certain court hearings? FTM Policy Questions

29. This new policy states that an FTM is to held : 1.During the assessment (investigative) phase prior to the initiation of a safety resource or safety plan.These two things often happen immediately, at the first contact with a family where children are in peril. How could an FTM be held PRIOR to the need of a SR or a SP �if it happens at 3am when a worker is on call and the well-being of the children must be dealt with immediately? FTM Policy Questions

30. Can you give clarification as to who is allowed to conduct FTM's on the county level?� What are the exceptions to having a non-certified staff member do the FTM's?� Or is this accepted practice? FTM Policy Questions

31. During training, I remember the trainers stating the reason for training is to build capacity in the counties�due to�the number of�family team meetings each case could possibly have primarily due to changes that may occur; what constitutes a change in a family preservation case? i.e. - If a mom and dad are separated during the inception of the case but midway through the case dad decided he wants to move back into the home, he was not part of the reason the case was open thus do we need to have a family team meeting prior to dad moving back into the home? FTM Policy Questions

32. Would you mind discussing the role of the children in the FTM. (Ages to include in FTM, questions to ask, when to excuse, etc.) FTM Policy Questions