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Dane County Department of Human Services |
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Family Group Conferencing
What is Family Conferencing? It is families being in charge of their own lives. Family Conferencing is a one-time meeting where families and their relatives make plans for the well being of their children. If your family is involved with Dane County Department of Human Services (DCDHS), or Court, Family Conferencing may be helpful to you. With the help of the Family Conferencing Coordinator, your family meets with relatives, friends and other support people in a Family Group Conference (FGC) to create a plan for the best interest of your children. Family Conferencing is a tool that empowers families to invest in their own strength and energy to create a workable plan rather than professionals setting up a plan and the family not being able to make it work. What will I be asked to do?
What will happen at the family group conference? A Family Conferencing facilitator will start the conference. Food and soda are provided as a courtesy to your family. If your family is involved with DCDHS, or court, your social worker will come to the conference to explain their involvement with your child(ren). People who provide services may also be invited to inform your family about the variety of services that are available in your community. Then, your family, relatives and supportive friends meet alone to create the plan. When the family has created a solution that is agreeable to everyone, your social worker and facilitator will come back into the room. If your family is involved with DCDHS or the Court, the family must inform your social worker of the plan before it can be put into place. If I decide this is not for me, can I stop the process? Yes, the process is totally voluntary. You may stop the process at any time. How can I be referred to Family Conferencing? You may call DCDHS directly and ask to speak to the Family Conferencing Coordinator about being referred to Family Conferencing. You may be referred by a DCDHS social worker that thinks the Family Conferencing process might be useful. A worker from a community agency may, with your consent, refer you to Family Conferencing. It is possible that a Judge may recommend that you try this process. Who will know about my involvement with this program? Only the family and friends you invite to the conference. A possible exception is if the courts subpoena the file, then by law, the records must be given to the court. Any information about the process that is used for research purposes will leave out your name and anything that anyone could use to identify you. How can I get more information about family conferencing? A videotape is available to purchase in which Dane County Human Services interviewed five different people who have actually participated in their own family meetings, describes their impressions, input about the meeting, outcome, etc. Interviewed 2 different parents, 1 teenager, 1 grandfather, 1 foster parent and 1 social worker. Targeted towards introducing public audiences about the Family Group Conferencing Program; For Public; professionals; families. Tape length-30 minutes. Cost of the tape is $15.00 + $5.00 postage charge. Please contact below people for purchase:
Amy Harsh Beth Malcook
Jeanne Ferguson |
Copyright © 2006 Dane County Department of Human Services
