If your agency is interested in family group decision making, we recommend the following
Contact the Resource Center for Family-Focused Practice to determine needs and resources.
The Center will match you with an instructor or consultant to meet your needs.
The instructor or consultant will have a conversation with an agency representative for a more complete needs assessment.
The instructor or consultant will meet on-site with the agency and community planning team.
Presentation of family group decision making overview to agency staff, other professionals, juvenile court and community. The overview will be tailored to meet the needs of your community and reflect your program.
Ongoing consultation and technical assistance during program development as necessary. The consultation is customized to meet the needs and pace of your development and implementation process.
Additional skills-based training for coordinators and facilitators.
Agency develops internal resources and expertise supported by instructor or consultant and the Resource Center for Family-Focused Practice.
Agency contributes experience and expertise to the evolving practice.
Exploring Family Group Decision Making
One or two day consultation
This service offers an assessment and exploration of the factors that impact successful incorporation of family group decision making. Working with agency and community representatives, the service is customized to local needs, concerns and desired outcomes.
Family Group Decision Making
Full day
Family group decision making is a method for involving children, families and those who care about them in building a strategy to maximize safety and well-being. Family group decision making can be distinguished from more traditional methods by its focus on partnering with families and building on family strengths to resolve concerns. The workshop covers key concepts and practices involved in family group decision making.
Topics include
the history of family group decision making
the philosophy of the family group decision making
how family group decision making increases safety for children and families
how family group decision making engages families and communities in the helping process
Participants gain a deeper understanding of family group decision making and its application to the challenges facing families and communities.
Family Group Decision Making for Facilitators
Two days
Family group decision making is built upon a successful family unity meeting. The meeting invites all those who care for a family to participate fully: identifying and honoring family strengths, honestly sharing concerns, offering resources and respecting the family's decisions. The workshop focuses on building the skills necessary to carry out the family group decision making.
identifying family strengths
inviting participation in family group decision making
preparing for family group decision making
preparing community professionals for family group decision making
role of the meeting facilitator
family group decision making in action
developing the family plan
accountability
Participants will be prepared to move family group decision making from concept to practice.
Preparing for Family Group Decision Making
Full day
This workshop addresses the most critical factors in a good family group conference: coordination and preparation.
Topics include
determining participation in the family group decision making process
preparing community professionals for family group decision making
inviting and preparing family members
setting non-negotiables
organizing logistics
Participants learn to coordinate family group decision making and prepare participants for a successful experience.
Incorporating Family Group Decision Making into Daily Practice
Full day
This workshop addresses ways to increase referrals to and comfort with family group decision making. Topics include
referral processes
acknowledging successes
addressing concerns
parallel processes
authority and responsibility
Participants are prepared to address issues around family group decision making.
For further information or to enroll, please contact Tonya Times by phone at (530) 757-8643 or by email at ttimes@unexmail.ucdavis.edu.
