Family Group Decision Making Process (FGDM)

THE PRACTICE OF FAMILY GROUP DECISION MAKING

PFCS FGDM services have been developed as a means of providing families the opportunity to become empowered in designing and following a plan of action that best suites their strengths and will keep their children safe. FGDM as a practice has been utilized worldwide as a means of providing families with hope and with the supports necessary to raise their children in a healthy environment.

FGDM represents a systematic change in how human service agencies respond to and interact with children & families needing assistance. As an empowerment model, FGDM @ PFCS offers the opportunity for families to take control of their situation and utilize the identified resources that best suites their family’s needs. FGDM @ PFCS provides human service professionals the training and support necessary to allow state and federal mandates to be met in way that reduces hostility and confrontation and enhances a cooperative working relationship with families.

The FGDM Services Offered by
Professional Family Care Services

• Planning & Implementation Services – Working directly with categorical agencies, PFCS staff provides community education and training opportunities, agency infrastructure (i.e. policy & procedures) building and staff training and preparation services to allow counties to offer FGDM services to their consumers.

• PFCS staff is available to work with agencies involved in child welfare, mental health and mental retardation services, drug & alcohol services and ageing services.

 

• FGDM Coordination Services – Trained PFCS staff are utilized to prepare family members and professionals for attendance at Family Group Conference. Provides expert services in explaining and discussing issues that are pertinent to the family and the Family Group Conference.

 

• FGDM Facilitation Services – Trained PFCS staff and other community members are utilized to facilitate the Family Group Conference, to mediate between participants, keep meeting on tasks, prepare family for meeting time and presenting plan to agency representative.