Engagement

Ask yourself the hard questions…

How can we better involve families, youth and caregivers in case planning?

How can we better empower families to make their own decisions?

How can we best work with community partners?

How can we improve the communication of the case plan to all parties?

What can be improved for you to feel more supported/empowered in your work?

The answers to the hard questions are in policy…..

FOM 722-6: “Casework service requires the engagement of the family in the development of the service plan.”

FOM 722-8C: “Parental participation is required in developing parent/caretaker goals and objectives.”

PSM 714-1-: “With family input develop a strength based service agreement which focuses on the issues identified on the risk and needs and strengths assessments.”

SRM 131: Provides guidelines for releasing reports.

Policy supports the MiTEAM Policy supports the MiTEAM Practice Model!Practice Model!

Engagement

The skill vital to successfully establishing a relationship with children, parents, and individuals that work together to help meet a child or family’s needs to resolve child welfare related issues.

Family engagement is not… An Interview or questionnaire Being “friends” with families Setting aside consequences in lieu of

building rapport Pre-determined bias Minimizing valid safety concerns An additional CPS investigation A Court review hearing

Why do we

engage?

To develop partnerships and build rapport. To diffuse a crisis. To minimize trauma. To accurately gather information to assist with

the case planning. To identify strengths and goals and encourage

participation in the planning process. To keep children safe

WHY DO WE ENGAGE?WHY DO WE ENGAGE?

WHY DO WE ENGAGE?

Family engagement requires…

A shift in the belief that families are incapable of planning for themselves

Allowing the family to fully participate in case planning

Being upfront with families and communicating with them about their circumstances

Understanding and communicating the dynamics of the Child Welfare System and its interactions with other systems.

Benefits of Family Engagement

Shared case planning Family more likely to comply with a plan they helped to

develop

Shifts responsibility for child well-being, safety, and permanency from DHS to the family:

May assist in preventing children/youth from coming into

care Increases placement options (relative and community) Clear expectations and outcomes

Engagement

All staff will utilize a series of intentional interventions that work together in an integrated way to promote safety, well-being and permanency for children, youth and families.

Techniques utilized include:Solution focused interviewingActive listeningAsking for parent, child and caregiver inputListen for needs, interests, and concernsAssist family members in identifying connections and strengths

• Recognize the person’s experience & feelings.• Recognize how the family is communicating non-verbally.• Communicate with words your understanding of the person’s

experience.• Allow families and youth to vent and validate their feelings.

Communicating with empathy results in more openness with people!

• Communicate warmth.• Show commitment.• Recognize & use a person’s strengths.• Be open- minded.

Respect can KEEP YOU SAFE!!

• Be aware of and make sure your non-verbal behavior, voice tone and verbal responses match.

• Communicate trustworthiness and acceptance.• Express yourself naturally without acting fake or phony.• Be open and receptive to the families point of view.

Be Yourself!

• Actively Listen.• Show Commitment/Make progress toward goals.• Follow-through.• Be open-minded/Provide and welcome feedback .• Be knowledgeable.

Say what you mean, and mean what you say!