Many States, counties, and localities have implemented family group decision-making either in selected jurisdictions or statewide. The following examples provide descriptions of implementation plans and processes, practice guidelines, evaluations, and outcomes from programs throughout the United States.
Child and Family Handbook (PDF - 269 KB)
Partnership for Strong Families (2011)
Offers a handbook for families created for a Florida program that explains a family counselor's responsibilities, the program's services, family team conferencing principles, parents' rights and responsibilities, and more.
Child and Family Services Policy Manual: Reference Section: Family Group Decision-Making (PDF - 151 KB)
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Child and Family Services Division (2012)
Explains the importance of Family Group Decision-Making Meetings and how to utilize them effectively in formulating a plan of treatment to provide a safe, protective environment for the children when issues of abuse/neglect have come to the attention of the Child and Family Services Division.
Critical Elements for Family Team Decision Making (PDF - 206 KB)
Advocates for Children and Youth (2009)
Reviews the essential elements of a credible plan to expand family-centered case practice implemented in Maryland to enable more families to stay together and keep more children out of foster homes or group care.
Family Engagement (PDF - 159 KB)
Virginia Department of Social Services (2010)
Presents a manual for planning and facilitating family partnership meetings that involve families, foster parents, service providers, and child welfare workers in all placement decisions, including the prevention of placement, in an attempt to ensure a network of support for children and the adults who care for them.
Family Team Meeting: Training for Facilitators: Participant Guide (PDF - 632 KB)
Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (2009)
Discusses roles and responsibilities of family team participants, group preparation, development, facilitation skills, and solutions to common problems.
North Carolina Family-Centered Meetings Project: Annual Report to the North Carolina Division of Social Services, Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Summary (PDF - 140 KB)
North Carolina State University Center for Family and Community Engagement (2010)
Explains the importance of child and family team (CFT) meetings for achieving family-centered practice in a system of care in North Carolina. The report includes information on curricula, the mission of child and family teams, and the development and implementation of CFT training.
Parent's Guide to Family-Centered Meetings (PDF - 277 KB)
Vermont Department for Children and Families (2011)
Describes the components of a family-centered meeting and provides information and tips to parents involved in the child welfare system in Vermont listing reasons for holding family-centered meetings.
Solutions to Engaging Families in the FGDM Process
Pennsylvania Child Welfare Training Program (2009)
Addresses the principles and beliefs of strengths-based, solution-focused practice and family group decision-making (FGDM). The training reviews several types of questions to use during the FGDM process.