Family Conferencing:
A
team decision making program for
families (by blood or by choice) who are:
At
a crisis point
A turning point
A life-changing decision point
such as:
-
Families
with children at high risk of incarceration;
-
Families
with children with emotional and behavioral disorders;
-
Families
with children returning home from residential treatment;
-
Families
whose children are at risk of school failure due to behavioral,
emotional or learning disorders;
-
Vulnerable
seniors who need extra support to remain in their homes or
with a family member;
-
Adults
with mental or physical disabilities that jeopardize their
ability to live independently;
-
Families
with a member facing debilitating or catastrophic illness;
The
Four Cornerstones of Family Network Conferencing
One:
Orientation and Preparation
Family
Network’s success depends in large part upon all participants
coming to the initial, and subsequent, meetings fully prepared
to participate within the Family Network structure
and guidelines. Participants are trained in advance to be
a member of a participative decision making team and are
offered extensive coaching and consultation throughout the
process, should they need further assistance in working with
their group.
Two:
Principles and Practices
Family
Network is a values-driven program. A "Guidelines" sheet
is presented to all participants and posted at all meetings
that states the principles and the practices associated with
them.
Three:
The Meeting Structure
Family
Network team meetings structured to ensure that families
and their teams have the right conversations and are able
to break out-of-the box when it comes to solving problems
creatively. The agendas allow specific time for discussion,
decision making and measuring progress within the allotted
time frame. We base our meeting lengths on the needs of your
team and on what management science tells us about how long
a group can be together and work effectively.
Four:
The Facilitator
Family
Network Facilitators are intensively and specially trained
experts in leading decision making groups. The role of the
Facilitator is to help your group come together, do its best
thinking, be creative in its problem-solving and have the
kinds of conversations that lead to solutions and yield results.
Working with a Family Network Facilitator gives you an experience
that is unlike other meetings or conversations. Long after
your work here is done, you will remember what you learned
about creative problem-solving from your Family Network Facilitator.
What
does it involve?
- A
team of family members, friends and service providers you select;
- Coordination
of all your service providers (therapists, mentors, tutors,
etc.);
- Consultation
and coaching for team members between meetings
- Specially
facilitated team meetings;
- Plans
that are based on your preferences, strengths, needs and priorities.
- A "Network
of Accountability": we help you and your team measure
your results
Anyone
can be on your Family Network team.
You pick your own dream team!
