Family Group Decision Making in Blair County

April 22, 2014

Today’s Agenda:

History of Model Values & Beliefs How is FGDM different? BARJ Principles Why it Works Meeting Steps Strength versus Deficit

Practice

FGDM and the prevention of placement and strengthening families

How FGDM and Juvenile Probation work together

FGDM and the child in placement

More Information

Purpose of FGDM:

To establish a process for families to join with relatives and friends to develop a plan to ensure that children are cared for and protected from future harm in ways which fit their culture and situation.

Purpose of FGDM:

To ensure that juvenile offenders are accountable for their actions, responsible to ensure that future protection to the community is upheld and to develop competencies so that the harm done may be repaired with the victim and the community.

Purpose of FGDM (cont):

It extends the responsibility for youth safety, well-being, permanence and community safety to families, communities and natural support systems.

Purpose of FGDM:

To encompass the Restorative Justice Philosophy and its concepts of BARJ giving equal attention to the offender, victim and the community.

History of FGDM IN Blair County

Originated in New Zealand Excessive amounts of Maori children placed in

non-relative and government institutions First training with Jim Nice was in May 2005

Why FGDM?

Cross-system initiative Philosophical shift from deficits to strengths Enhancement of family/community involvement Fits the cultural/ethnic diversity found in PA Helps us partner with community to implement

the BARJ principles Philosophical shift rather than JUST a program

Values & Beliefs:

Families have strengths and can change.

Strengths are what ultimately resolve concerns.

Strengths are identified through listening, noticing and paying attention to people.

Strengths are enhanced when they are acknowledged and encouraged.

Values & Beliefs (cont.):

People gain a sense of hope when they feel someone has really listened to them.

Options are preferable to advice.

Empowering people is preferable to

controlling them.

A consultant is better than a boss.

FGDM Can Be Utilized When:

A Juvenile has admitted to the offense or been found guilty of the offense

A Juvenile is at the Court/Intake level A Juvenile is under supervision A Juvenile is returning from placement Prevention of further family involvement in the

Juvenile System

Real Justice

BARJ

Connection

FGDM

Restorative Justice

BARJ: Community Protection – right to feel safe & secure

FGDM: Focus is on restoring the community’s feeling of trust & Safety

(Community)

He a l if n g

Ha r m

Accountability

BARJ: Juvenile obligation to victim and community

FGDM: Focus is on having the youth be responsible for behavior and plan for correction

BARJ: Youth should leave JJ more capable, responsible & productive

FGDM: Focus is on repairing the harm

(VICTIM)

(Offender)

BARJ & FGDM:

Accountability

Families place expectations of the juvenile and ensure reparations are made and restitution is paid. CSP is completed and victims may participate in the FGDM.

FGDM Benefits Victims by:

♥ Increasing safety for family members

♥ Bringing greater clarity and value to the voice and concerns of victims

♥ Increasing community involvement in resolution

♥ Providing a safe healing opportunity for victims

BARJ & FGDM:

Community Protection

Families devise a plan for appropriate supervision and structure, while taking ownership.

BARJ & FGDM:

Competency Development

Families identify issues and skills that need enhanced for successful changes to take place.

Timing of FGDM:

Youth commits offense

↓

Youth charged by police & charges sent to Juvenile Probation Office

↓

Intake

↓

Family Group Conference and/or Court

↓ ↓

Probation Placement

↓

Family Group Conference

Strength Versus Deficit Practice:

Strength based Inclusive Encourages family Honest/open Team effort Creative Culturally Sensitive Individualized

Deficit based Restrictive Gives advice Secretive Individual effort Controlling Insensitive Cookie-cutter

Why FGDM Works:

People are actively valued

“The conference helps make the kids aware that their families are concerned.”

Dauphin County Mother

Why FGDM Works:

Worker is no longer problem finder/advice giver

“You can achieve a whole lot and find out things that you didn’t know before.”

Dauphin County

Grandmother

Why FGDM Works:

Communicates in a language of “concerns”

Strengthens families by harnessing their commitment, wisdom and responsibility to protect children and ensure well-being

In 2012 Juveniles were involved in:

One out of 10 arrests for murder One in 4 arrests for Robbery, Burglary,

Larceny-Theft and Disorderly Conduct One in 5 arrests for Motor Vehicle Theft

A higher percentage of Juveniles are involved in minor criminal behavior including, Vandalism, Shoplifting, Underage Drinking, and the use of Marijuana

Somewhere between 30 and 40 percent of all boys growing up in an urbanized area in the United States will be arrested before their 18th birthday

Changing Families Today 24 million children are living in fatherless

homes More families consist of one parent households or

two working parents which means less supervision at home

Lack of parental supervision is thought to be an influence on juvenile crime rate

A parent who is involved in the criminal system could greatly influence their own child's views on delinquent behavior

Why FGDM Works (cont.):

Counters isolation of at-risk families

Better informed plans because of family knowledge and expertise about themselves

Enhances family’s feelings of security, belonging, respect, and understanding

Simple and easy to understand

Why FGDM Works (cont.):

Encourages collaboration between service providers working with the family

Provides a “similar” language between family and agencies and among service providers from different agencies

Why FGDM Works (cont.):

Decreases burden on service providers and balances power

Creates an opportunity for families to realize their potential in caring for their youth

Increases investment and ownership of decisions

Steps of the Model

Referral to hold FGDM meeting

Planning and Preparation for meeting

Steps of the Model (cont.)

Actual Meeting:

Introductions Purpose defined History provided Family tradition/Elder’s Report Identification of strengths Identification of concerns Additional resource options provided

Steps of the Model (cont.)

Actual Meeting (cont.):

Share a meal Family private time/ development of plan Presentation of plan to the probation officer Approval of plan by referring JPO Family tradition

Steps of the Model (cont.)

Presentation of Plan to Court Carrying out the Plan Additional Meetings

“The more eyes, hands, and hearts involved with a family, the safer the child (and community).”

- Larry Graber

Comments From the Bench:

What benefits does the Court see with FGDM?

Why might a Court be interested in being involved in the implementation process?

What thoughts might you want

to consider in process to involve

Courts?

“This isn’t just what we should be doing, it’s what we should have been doing all along.”

Honorable Todd HooverJuvenile Dependency Judge

“The strength of Family Group Conferencing is having the family join in achieving a common goal. This is a meaningful and worthwhile process.”

Honorable Richard LewisDauphin County Delinquency Judge

When you help the family, you always help the child.The powerful and innate pull to family (regardless of that family’s level of dysfunction) never ends. FGDM helps to reconcile that “pull” with a chance for that family to possibly develop a healthy template for identifying and solving the problems that will keep coming in life, like we all experience.If we see or feel resistance to FGDM we must step back and honestly ask ourselves, do we fear giving up our power?

Honorable Jolene Grubb KoprivaPresident Judge, Blair County

Reactions & Questions? Thank You for Your Interest and

Investment in the Lives of Children, Youth, Families and Communities !!

For More Information

A Partnership with:

Kids Peace 814-693-7708

Professional Family Care Services 814-255-9559 ext 100

Blair County Juvenile Probation 814-693-3230

Blair County Children, Youth and Families 814-693-3130