Team Decision Making meetings are designed to assist agencies in making decisions regarding a child’s placement. The practice brings together parents, the child (if age appropriate), family members, extended family and other support persons, foster parents (if the child is in placement), service providers, other community representatives, the caseworker of record and the supervisor. The meeting is a sharing of all information which relates to the protection of the children and functioning of the family. The goal is to reach consensus on a decision regarding placement and to create a plan which protects the children in the least intrusive, least restrictive environment.
Topics include:
- The philosophy and values of TDM
- TDM key elements
- Structure of the TDM
- Roles of participants
Participants will become familiar with the values and goals of Team Decision Making, the key elements that make TDM unique, the structure of the meeting itself, and consensus. Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss and develop their role in this process and learn the role of others.