Because you are the expert on your family.

A Family Partnership Meeting is initiated by the Department of Family Services when there is a concern or referral regarding the safety of a child or children. This meeting assembles immediate family members, other relatives, and anyone who provides support to the family. The primary goal of this collaborative gathering is to create a detailed plan that ensures the long-term safety, well-being, and permanency of the child(ren).

When working with a child welfare practitioner to schedule a Family Partnership Meeting, you will have the opportunity to choose the best time, location, and format (in-person or virtual) that suits your family's needs. The scheduling process is flexible, designed to accommodate your unique circumstances. An impartial facilitator will be present to ensure everyone's participation in the decision-making process, making sure that all voices are heard. During the meeting, you will have full input into the development of the Meeting Action Plan (MAP), and you will leave the meeting with a copy of this plan.

If you have any questions about the purpose of the meeting or the agency's concerns, feel free to reach out to your case manager for clarification. Remember, you have the right to request a language interpreter if needed. To make the most of the meeting, come prepared with a list of questions, goals, and ideas for how to best address them.

During the Family Partnership Meeting, you will work with the team to gather and organize information in several key areas:

• Purpose of Meeting: The team will discuss the reason for the meeting and the specific goals that need to be addressed.
• Genogram: This is a pictorial representation of your family, extended family, and cultural connections. It helps gain a better understanding of your family dynamics and support system.
• Ecomap: The Ecomap lists individuals or organizations currently working with your family to ensure the right people are part of this conversation.
• Reason for Referral: The team will discuss the incident(s) that have brought your family to the attention of the department.
• Risk Statement(s): The department will clearly state the concerns they have regarding the safety of the child(ren).
• Safety/Belonging: This section will focus on your family's strengths and protective factors that have been demonstrated over time.
• Strengths/Protective Factors: Here, you will identify your family's strengths, resources, assets, and any community supports.
• Complicating Factors: This involves discussing conditions or behaviors that contribute to greater difficulty for the youth and family.
• Gray Area: Areas where participants need more information will be identified and discussed.
• Next Steps: The team will develop actionable next steps to address the areas of risk to the child(ren). This includes what needs to happen, by when, and who needs to be involved.
• Meeting Action Plan: Finally, a Meeting Action Plan (MAP) will be created. This document outlines the strengths and needs of the youth and family and identifies action steps to meet those needs.

After the Family Partnership Meeting, it's important to follow up with the child welfare practitioner assigned to your case if you have any lingering questions or concerns that you weren't comfortable discussing during the meeting. The facilitator will ensure that the Meeting Action Plan (MAP) is translated into your preferred language for your convenience. You may be asked to electronically sign the MAP via Docusign, or your child welfare practitioner will obtain your signature by hand to finalize the plan.