Family Group Decision Making

Hope For Kids (HFKs) embraces the need for creative and innovative programming that provides alternatives to out-of-home placement for children. The Family Group Decision Making Initiative is an approach that seeks to ensure child and family safety within a family and its community.

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Program Description

Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) empowers families to take responsibility for the care and protection of their children and family. The model is based on the philosophy that family members have intimate knowledge and information about themselves. The family is in the best position to make decisions regarding the care and safety of its members. The FGDM process focuses and utilizes the family strengths and expertise rather then the family deficiencies. Empowering families is preferable to controlling them and they will gain a sense of hope when they feel someone has really listened to them and they are acknowledged and encouraged for their strengths. Families who have participated in the decision making process are more likely to participate in services aimed at keeping their families together. The philosophy and process of FGDM supports increasing safety for children and families, improving the timeliness of the permanency planning process, reducing foster care re-entries, improving the stability of placements and enhancing the capacity for families to provide for their children’s needs.