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  Family-Centered Practice

Resources to support and preserve families through a respectful, strengths-based approach that views the family as central to the child's well-being. Includes information on specific family-centered practice approaches, such as family group decision-making. Also includes resources on cultural competence, casework practice, and providing and evaluating family-centered services.

Overview
Definition, philosophy and values, key elements, and frequently asked questions. Includes family-centered practice approaches, implementation across the service continuum, and building a family-centered agency culture.

Cultural competence
The importance of cultural competence in family-centered practice and links to additional resources.

Casework practice
Engaging families and youth; assessment; case planning; case management; direct practice with children, youth, and families; advocating for families; and connecting families with needed community resources.

Family-centered services
Family resource, support and education services; intensive, family-centered crisis intervention services; and the relationship between family support, family preservation, child protection, and child welfare services.

Evaluating the effectiveness of family-centered services
Research reviews, program evaluations and studies, and exploration of special issues in evaluation of family support, family preservation, and other family-centered services.

Updated on October 29, 2009