EMPOWERING FAMILIES THROUGH COMMUNITY COOPERATION

Family Team Meetings

Trainers

Dionne McCage MSSW 5 years as Shelter Case Manager Facilitated Hundreds of FTM’s Former therapist working with pregnant & parenting

teens

Bill M. Thompson BA 9 years as Shelter Case Manager Facilitated Hundreds of FTM’s Trainer in LSCI & SCM

Shelter House Client Demographics

•12-17 (But they have siblings & guardians)•Homelessness, chemical dependency, runaway, abuse, poverty, behavioral issues, sexual identity, mental health, educational concerns, developmental issues•Each client has a unique identity and culture•No YOUTH has ONE issue that is a quick fix. With most clients it is difficult to determine what THE issue is.

Shelter House Agency Demographics

•In 2004 we stopped offering therapy as a part of our program.•Short length of stay (Average 6 days)•We are a transitional placement for many youth•Collaborative partnerships with service providers are utilized to help teens and families.•Choice Program•Advocacy and Empowerment is Central to our mission

Family Team Meetings - Philosophy

•Annie E. Casey Foundation•Strength Based / Solution Focused•Alternative to court or agency ordered solutions•Utilizes existing and potential family resources to identify solutions •Recognizes Families are the experts on

their family•Allows an agency to guide toward a solution instead of forcing compliance•Family generated solutions have the most buy in because of the ownership created during the process

Family Teen Meetings – Pre FTM

Identify the families needs(Usually at intake)

Family Teen Meetings – Pre FTM

Who Would YOU like to invite?

Family Teen Meetings – Pre FTM

What are the strengths of your family?

The fact they are even willing to meet is a strength!

What talents does each member possess?What is the most difficult obstacle your family or

you has overcome? How did you do it?What about your son/daughter makes you smile?What is the most fun you have had as a family?What is a fun night in your household like?

Family Team Meetings – Pre FTM

Purpose

Family Team Meeting – Pre FTM

If We’re Not Eating, We’re NOT Meeting!!!

Family Team Meeting

Set up rooms for collaboration

Family Team Meeting

Confidentiality AgreementGround RulesReview the purpose!!!!

Family Team Meeting

Strengths

Family Team Meeting

What are the families needs?

Family Team Meeting

SolutionsUtilize those in attendanceLook for SMART solutionsKnow who is helping with each proposed

solution and when it will be finishedAsk miracle and scaling questionsEnsure everyone has a role in reaching

agreed upon solutionsAlways have a PLAN B

Family Team Meeting

Signatures/Copies

Family Team Meeting - Benefits

Ownership ( Buy-in is more important than the services provided)

Family Team Meeting – Benefits

Collaboration: more connections & perspectives

Family Team Meetings- Benefits

Unique solutions, for unique families, with unique needs

Family Team Meeting - Benefits

Channels existing strengths

Family Team Meeting – Benefits

Allows people to be heard