Family Conferencing Skill Building

Level: Advanced Practice—Lineworker

Credits: 6

Intended Audience:
New and current child welfare personnel who want to acquire skills in order to facilitate a Family Group Decision-Making meeting.

Intended Objectives:

• To give participants an in-depth look at the Family Group Decision-Making model
• To teach participants the process of a Family Group Decision-Making meeting
• To develop Family Group Decision-Making facilitation skills
• To identify which families/family situations are most appropriate for a Family Group Decision-Making meeting
• How to engage families in the process

Topics Include:

• Language of concerns
• Reframing
• Positions vs. interests
• Describing the meeting
• Picking the family
• Invitations
• Process of the meeting
• Role play of a Family Group Decision-Making meeting

CalSWEC competencies addressed:

2.2 Student is able to assess the interaction of individual, family, and environmental factors which contribute to abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse, and identifies strengths which will preserve the family and protect the child.

2.19 Student works collaboratively with foster families and kin networks, involving them in assessment and planning and supporting them in coping with special stresses and difficulties.

3.3 Student demonstrates the ability to evaluate and incorporate information from others, including family members and professionals in assessment, treatment planning, and service delivery.

3.12 Student engages families in problem solving strategies and assists them with incorporating these strategies.

3.15 Student understands theory of group process and can develop, and implement small groups.