WELCOME TO
TEAM DECISION MAKING
TRAINING FOR FACILITATORS
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INTRODUCTIONS
YOUR
NAME
YOUR
COUNTY
ARE YOU A FULL-TIME OR
AUXILLIARY FACILITATOR?
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HOUSEKEEPING
INFORMATION
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TDM FACILITATOR
TRAINING IS DESIGNED TO:
 Develop awareness of the Facilitator’s
role in TDM
 Show why relationships are important
before, during and after TDM meetings
 Build basic facilitation skills
 Instill confidence
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TEAM DECISION MAKING FACILITATOR
TRAINING
Technical Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Values
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AGENDA
TRAINING BUILDS FROM ONE DAY TO THE
NEXT…
•FAMILY TO FAMILY
•TDM OVERVIEW
•PROCEDURAL BASICS
•ROLE OF TDM FACILITATOR
•FACILITATOR SKILLS
•DEALING WITH EMOTIONS
•STRUCTURE OF THE TDM
•PRACTICE
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WALK AROUND ACTIVITY
REVIEW…CONSIDER…
RESPOND TO EACH OF THE
FOLLOWING…
WHEN I THINK ABOUT THIS TRAINING AND WHAT I HOPE TO GAIN…THE
BEST OUTCOME FROM THIS TRAINING WOULD BE…
THE WORST OUTCOME WOULD BE…
THE GREATEST STRENGTH I CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THIS TRAINING TO
ASSURE ITS SUCCESS IS…
THE GREATEST CHALLENGE TO USING TDM IN MY AGENCY IS…
FOR ME TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THIS
TRAINING, OTHER MEMBERS SHOULD…
ON A SCALE OF 1…10, MY CURRENT TDM FACILITATION SKILL LEVEL IS…
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Ground “Rules”
(Group Agreements/Guidelines)
Are important to the team
Are limited in number
Are fully supported by each member
Are used by each member
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REMEMBRANCES
PICTURE YOURSELF
AS A CHILD…
Handout 1-1
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Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Founded by Jim Casey, one of the
founders of UPS, in 1948 in honor of their
mother
• Mission of the foundation – to help build
better futures for disadvantaged children
who are at risk of poor educational,
economic, social, and health outcomes.
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Child Welfare
Historically
A Closed System where
decisions are made by individuals
Most State Systems:
o Are remote from the children, families, communities they serve
o Focus narrowly on the individual problems when families have
multiple needs
o Tend to intervene when the problems are so severe…serious
and expensive options
o Hold themselves accountable for quantity rather than
effectiveness
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Challenges of Child
Welfare Agencies
Too many children are in foster care
Systems are overloaded - unable to safely
reunite children with their families or find
permanent homes for them
Less than 50% of children in need of temporary
care are with foster families
Children of color are vastly over-represented in
group of children placed in care
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FAMILY TO FAMILY
Is a Child Welfare Reform Initiative
Inclusion
Community
Transparency
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FAMILY TO FAMILY
• Started in 1992 in Ohio
• From Alaska to New York City
– many states have implemented the
Initiative
• In California there are 25 Family to
Family sites
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F2F Review
Hand Out 2-1
PRINICPLES and VALUES
•
A child’s safety is paramount
•
Children belong in families
•
•
Families need strong communities
Public Child Welfare Systems need
partnerships with the community and with
other systems to achieve strong outcomes
for children
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F2F OUTCOMES
A reduction in the disparities associated with race /ethnicity,
gender, or age in each of the following outcomes.
children being placed away from their birth families;
when children come into foster care, are placed with families in their
own neighborhoods or communities;
children in institutional and group care and shift of resources from
group and institutional care to kinship, family foster care, and
family-centered services;
the lengths of stay of children in placement;
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F2F OUTCOMES
children being reunified with their birth families;
children re-entering placement;
number of placement moves experienced by children
in care;
number and proportion of brothers and sisters
placed together.
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Family to Family
GOALS
Hand Out 2-1
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Family to Family
STRATEGIES
Hand Out 2-1
• Recruiting, Developing, and Supporting
Resource Families (RDS)
• Building Community Partnerships (BCP)
• Making Decisions as a Team (TDM)
• Evaluating Results/Self Evaluation (SE)
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2-2
BELIEF PARADIGM SHIFT
TRADITIONAL ………
PRACTICE
FAMILY TO FAMILY
GOALS
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TEAM DECISION MAKING
VALUES
THE GOAL OF TDM…
Make the best possible
placement-related decision
with a high level of
participant involvement
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TDM IS BASED ON
THE BELIEF THAT…
Handout 3-1
 A group can often be more effective in making
good decisions than an individual
 Families are the experts on themselves
 When families are included in decisions they are
able to identify their own needs and strengths
 Members of the family’s community add value to
the process
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BENEFITS
OF TDM
Handout 3-2
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CHALLENGES
TO TDM
Handout 3-3
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KEY ELEMENTS
Handout 3-4
DECISION-MAKING RELATED TO PLACEMENT ISSUES
PRIOR TO or IN AN EMERGENCY IMMEDIATELY
FOLLOWING EVERY AGENCY PLACEMENT
FOCUS ON SAFETY AND PROTECTION in the LEAST
RETRICTIVE/LEAST INTRUSIVE PLACEMENT
CONVENED BY WORKER OF RECORD
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KEY ELEMENTS
Handout 3-4
TEAM INCLUDES…FAMILY, SUPPORTS,
SERVICE PROVIDERS, COMMUNITY
REPRESENTATIVES, OTHERS
INTERNAL AGENCY FACILITATION
CONSENSUS IS ALWAYS THE GOAL,
BUT THE AGENCY OWNS THE DECISION.
INFORMATION ABOUT EACH MEETING IS
COLLECTED AND ULTIMATELY LINKED TO DATA ON
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CHILD AND FAMILY OUTCOMES
TEAM DECISION MAKING…
4 CORE PROGRAM ELEMENTS
Handout 3-5
#1
For ALL placement decisions
#2
Held BEFORE the child’s move occurs
#3
Facilitator is a dedicated position
#4
Community representatives attend
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KEY CHARACTERISTICS
OF FAMILY MEETINGS
Handout 3-6
CORE VALUES
ARE SHARED BY ALL
TDM
TEAM DECISION MAKING
FGDM
FAMILY GROUP DECISION MAKING
WRAP
WRAPAROUND
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FUNDAMENTALS OF A QUALITY
PLACEMENT PROCESS
HANDOUT 3-7
• Removal of a child from their parents should only
occur when there is imminent risk of serious harm
AND in-home services / protective supports cannot
provide safety.
• Evaluation of a child’s unique needs must be part of
the placement decision.
• The trauma of separation must be weighed with
other factors to determine the necessity of
placement.
• The voices of youth must be heard.
• Assessing safety and risk is ongoing
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FUNDAMENTALS OF A QUALITY
PLACEMENT PROCESS
HANDOUT 3-7
• Out-of-home care should be in the least restrictive
placement that meets the child’s needs.
• Relatives must be the first consideration
• Parents’ involvement can be invaluable.
• Moves hurt kids.
• Reunification should occur as soon as it is safe.
• An alternative permanent plan must be made if
reunification is not possible within a reasonable time.
• Youth facing emancipation need guidance & support.
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A QUALITY PLACEMENT
PROCESS
• Think of Yourself Facilitating a TDM
• Review Handout
• How Will You
Model/Encourage/Ensure that the
Fundamental Placement Rules are
a Part of Your TDMs?
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CRITERIA FOR CONVENING
A TDM MEETING
Handout 4-1
 WORKER IS FACING DECISION RELATED TO CUSTODY
AND OR PLACEMENT.
 WORKER CONSULTS WITH SUPERVISOR--THEY EXPLORE
OPTIONS.
 IF AGREEMENT, WORKER SCHEDULES; INFORMS
PARENTS OF TDM & PURPOSE; INVITES PARENTS and
THEIR SUPPORTS; INVITES OTHERS…
 AT TDM, WORKER INVITES ASSISTANCE IN EXPLORING
ALTERNATIVES & DEVELOPING A PLAN THAT ENSURES
SAFETY FOR THE CHILD IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE /
INSTRUSIVE MANNER POSSIBLE.
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SCHEDULING A TDM MEETING
Handout 4-2
When? Why?
Who Might Be Present?
DEPENDS ON THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING
 REMOVAL
- Emergency or Considered
 PLACEMENT PRESERVATION
 PERMANENT PLANNING
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Handout 4-3
POTENTIALLY THREE TYPES OF
“COMMUNITY” PEOPLE AT TDM

Support Persons Invited by the Family

Service Providers

Specific “Community Representatives”
Invited by the Agency Key Is: “Will the Family Likely
Relate to This Person as a Member of Their [the Family’s] Own
‘Community’ However They Define That?”
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 Serves as a Natural Ally and Potential
Advocate for Birth Parents at a TDM;
 Represents the Birth Family’s “Community;”
 The Supportive Connection Can Continue
Throughout the Family’s Involvement with the
System and Beyond;
 May Know of Resources which Could Support
the Family Especially Those Available within the
Family’s Community;
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 Makes the Birth Family Feel More Comfortable in
Whatever Way They Can;
 Helps the Agency’s Staff and Its Partners Better
Understand the Family’s Community of Origin
Especially Its Strengths;
 Assists Family in Understanding the Agency’s
Concerns in Relation to Safety and Risk;
 Participates in the Meeting Especially Sharing
Ideas for Ensuring the Child’s Safety While
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Supporting the Family.
DEFINITION OF CONSENSUS
Consensus is a decision that has been
reached when most members of a team
agree on a clear option and the few who
don’t agree feel that they have had a
reasonable opportunity to influence that
choice.
Consensus is a mindset as well as a
process.
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CONSENSUS IS
ABOUT…
Handout 4-4
• HAVING A CHANCE TO STATE YOUR VIEWS AND
PREFERENCES REGARDING A RESOLUTION OF THE MATTER
UNDER DISCUSSION
• FEELING HEARD YET UNDERSTANDING THAT OTHER
MEMBERS MAY PREFER A CONCLUSION DIFFERENT FROM THE
ONE YOU WOULD LIKE
• A BELIEF THAT EITHER RESOLUTION WILL PROTECT THE
CHILD (REN) AND SUPPORT AGENCY VALUES AND POLICIES
• GIVEN THE LIMITATIONS OF TIME AND NEED FOR A DECISION,
FULLY SUPPORTING THE CONCLUSION PREFERRED BY
OTHERS IN THE GROUP
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• DEMONSTRATING FULL SUPPORT OF THE GROUP’S DECISION
ONCE THE MEETING IS OVER
Levels of Decision Making
Handout 4-4
Consensus with Participants Is the Goal,
However, It Is Not Always Achieved
If Consensus Is Not Reached with All,
Facilitator Determines if Participating
Child Welfare Staff Agree
If All Agency Staff Do Not Agree, the
Facilitator Invites Social Worker to Make
the Decision
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“Let’s Keep Our Balance”
TDM Poetry
How many
Of who
Makes a
perfect
TDM stew
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CRITICAL ISSUES at
Removal
Handout 4-5
 Why must removal be considered? What are the risk
factors?
 What must change to keep the child(ren) safe?
 What does the family believe are their needs? What are
their ideas to ensure safety and protection?
 Family strengths? What does “going well” look like for the
family?
 What information can other participants provide? What
have been the reasonable efforts?
 How accurate is information shared? What is missing?
 What services can meet family’s needs? Have we explored
informal, natural, non traditional, neighborhood supports?
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CRITICAL ISSUES:
Handout 4-6
Placement Preservation
Can additional services/supports maintain
placement? Caregivers needs addressed?
Plan for crisis support? Is a change in level of care
needed.
Will a less restrictive level of care keep the child safe
and support the case plan goal?
How can stability be maintained for this child? Are all
of child’s needs being met?
Is there a transition plan? Are the FFA contract
expectations being met?
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CRITICAL ISSUES: Reunification
Handout 4-7
 All risks and safety concerns reduced
or eliminated? Have all services been
completed? Services for parent/child
continuing?
 Current living situation, financial,
child care, etc? Additional
community supports needed?
 How long will agency remain
involved with family? Acknowledge
and celebrate the accomplishment
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CRITICAL ISSUES: Other
Permanency
Handout 4-8
 Have we assessed the children’s
attachment to the parents? Have
reasonable efforts been made?
What are the plans for continuing
contact?
 How does this situation meet
PPLA guidelines? Is the legal
guardian financially capable of
meeting the child’s needs?
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STRENGTH-BASED ASSESSMENT
ITS ROLE IN TDM
Handout 5-1
• WE HISTORICALLY DEFINED PROBLEMS
AND GAVE ADVICE – EMPOWERING THE
PROBLEM AND DISEMPOWERING THE
PERSON
• TDM PROMOTES WAYS TO ENSURE SAFETY
BY ENCOURAGING USE OF RESOURCES,
STRENGTHS OF FAMILY, FRIENDS,
RELATIVES, COMMUNITIES
• LOOKING FOR STRENGTHS GENERATES
COOPERATION, POSITIVE ENERGY,
CREATIVITY
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TDM
UNDERLYING VALUES AND BELIEFS
Handout 5-1
•
FAMILIES HAVE STRENGTHS AND CAN CHANGE
• STRENGTHS ARE WHAT ULTIMATELY RESOLVE
ISSUES OF CONCERN
• LANGUAGE REFLECTS THINKING
•
RESPECT IS THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT IN
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
• EXPLORING THE RESERVOIR OF STRENGTHS IN
THE FAMILY AND COMMUNTY HELPS TO RESOLVE
ISSUES OF CONCERN
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TDM
UNDERLYING VALUES AND BELIEFS
Handout 5-1
• TREAT FAMILIES LIKE THE EXPERTS THAT
THEY ARE;
– Ask…what is your best thinking, how can things
get better?
– Listen to ideas; support them when you can
– Look for good intent in every idea and build on it
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TDM IS A TOOL
FIND AND BUILD ON
FAMILY’S RESOURCES
Handout 5-1
TDM…
• GIVES THE FAMILY AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE
THEIR BEST THINKING ABOUT WORKING OUT
SOLUTIONS
• GIVES THE FAMILY AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING IN
THEIR SUPPORT SYSTEMS
PLUS
• THE PROCESS CAN STRENGTHEN THE SOCIAL
WORKER AND FAMILY
• THE JOB BECOMES MORE PLEASANT
• FAMILIES LIKE STRENGTHS ACKNOWLEDGED -THEY RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THEIR EFFORTS
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CHARTING …
HANDOUT 5-2
• KEEPS US FOCUSED
• HELPS US HEAR
• PROMOTES OUR
PARTICIPATION
• ENLARGES OUR
THINKING
• STRUCTURES THE
MEETING
• IS CORE TO THE
PROCESS
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CHARTING TIPS
HANDOUT 5-3
• PRE-LABEL
CHARTS
• WRITE LARGE
• AVOID
NUMBERING
• USE LARGE
TIPPED MARKERS
• AVOID RED,
YELLOW &
ORANGE
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TOOLS FOR
IMPLEMENTATION & REINFORCEMENT
Handouts 6-1 through 6-9
10 TIPS
DIRECTORS
SOCIAL WORKERS
CAREGIVERS
CASA
SUPERVISORS
ATTORNEYS
COMMUNITY
REPRESENTATIVES
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DAY IS DONE
GOOD JOB TODAY!
Enjoy The Evening!!
See You at 9 AM
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