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Philosophy & Values of Family-Centered Practice

Family-centered practice is based upon these core values:

• The best place for children to grow up is in families.
• Providing services that engage, involve, strengthen, and support families is the most effective approach to ensuring children's safety, permanency, and well-being.

Family-centered practice is characterized by mutual trust, respect, honesty, and open communication between parents and service providers. Families are active participants in the development of policy, program design, and evaluation, and they are active decision-makers in selecting services for themselves and their children. Family and child assessment is strengths-based and solution-focused. Services are community-based and build upon informal supports and resources.

• Family & youth involvement
• State and local examples
• Related resources

	Related Information Gateway Topics Systemwide: Cultural competence - Overview Systemwide: Cultural competence - Working with children & families

Updated on September 18, 2008