Through funds made available by Federal Title IV-B, sub part 2 of the Social Security Act, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will continue to provide funds to support the Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department’s (HSPHD) Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) program.  Hennepin County has received DHS funding in support of its FGDM program since 2000.  In prior years, this program was also known as the Time Limited Reunification Services and Family Group Conferencing (FGC).  Agreement A176863 will allow the project to continue through December 31, 2017 and accepts $319,797 for 2017 programming.

FGDM is a means of integrating family-centered, strength-based social work practice with the need to maintain child safety, well-being, and permanency for children and families.  A FGC is a facilitated meeting to help families and children resolve issues of safety, permanency, and well-being.  Conference facilitators are Hennepin County social workers who have completed the State of Minnesota Family Group Decision Making training.  Facilitators plan and organize the conferences. The target population includes families with an open Children’s Services case, children in long-term foster care working towards self-sufficiency or emancipation, families open in Family Assessment, and families referred from contracted providers who are seeking Family Support and Preservation services.  Use of the FGDM model requires excellent facilitation and teaming skills, sensitivity to cultural diversity issues, ability to coordinate large group meetings, excellent time management skills, and above average writing skills.

FGDM’s purposes are: preservation of families through prevention of placements; safe reunification of children who are already in placement with their families; and assistance for youth in long-term foster care as they transition to independent living.  These goals directly align with federally-mandated outcomes related to safety, permanency, and well-being for children that are measured through the Child and Family Service Review process.

While families and children eligible for the FGDM programs at Hennepin County are referred to the program primarily by Child Protection and other Human Services and Public Health Department social workers, FGDM remains voluntary; for the process to be successful, it must be family and/or youth driven.