Training/Technical Assistance & Best Practices

Locality: City of Lynchburg
Contact: Teresa Henley, Family Group Conferencing Coordinator
Phone Number: (434) 455-5793
Email Address: henletg@ci.lynchburg.va.us

Description of Best Practice: The City of Lynchburg has developed a new program utilizing family group conferencing strategies. Referrals of families come from the local department of social services and juvenile justice agencies. A family case worker facilitates a conference with immediate and extended family members. The family explores the problem areas and comes up with their own plan of action that they will implement. Professionals are available for support services to augment the family’s plan. When appropriate, clinicians are available through the Community Services Board for Multisystemic Therapy. The Coordinator also follows up over time to ensure that progress is being made toward the goals. One of the main outcomes is for the youth to be able to remain within the family.

What have been the benefits/ results of the implementation? A part time coordinator is able to assist families develop their own family centered treatment goals by providing them with this structure. The program is presently serving approximately two new families per month.

Estimated savings: Not yet determined.

Barriers to overcome: None stated.

Best Practice Summary: Parental Outcome Expectation Form

Location: Warren County
Contact: Jean Decker
Phone Number: (540) 636-1604 extension 4
Email Address: csacoord@warrencountyva.net

Description of Best Practice:
The Warren County Community Policy and Management team (CPMT) wanted to increase parental involvement with the Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) process. The creation of the Parental Information and Outcome/Goals Form, which is mailed to families prior to FAPT staffings, allows families to provide input on their child. The form is completed by the biological parents (whose rights have not been terminated); foster parents including foster parents who foster children are in permanent foster care, or a family member that has a vested interest in the child’s well being. The form is attached to the FAPT review distributed during FAPT meetings for all participants to review. A cover letter is sent with the form addressing the importance of parental involvement.

What have been the benefits/results of the implementation?
This form has allowed families to feel that they have meaningful input in their child’s treatment and services. It has opened up dialogue between families and FAPT members, especially for those families who feel intimated by the FAPT process. By writing out what their expectations are, family members find it easier to vocalize their thoughts. It also provides a vehicle for families who cannot attend FAPT meetings to know that their options have been covered by the group. Information provided on the form is discussed for it’s inclusion on the IFSP. It has given the team the means to find out if the family has realistic expectations and to address with the family their role in making their expectations become reality.

Estimated savings:
Unknown. It is expected that improvement of the therapeutic partnership between FAPT and the parent(s) or other caregivers should result in more effective service development and outcome.

Barriers to overcome:
When first implemented, one barrier was having case managers complete the form with information they believe represents what is the locality’s expectations. The form for families, it represents their goal/expectations. Getting the families to return the completed form has also been a barrier.

Location: City of Alexandria
Contact: Janet Bessmer
Phone Number: (703) 838-0700
Email address: janet.bessmer@ci.alexandria.va.us

Description of Best Practice:
The City of Alexandria Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT) determined in 2001 that the incorporation of bilingual language (Spanish) at FAPT meetings, as well as the locality’s Comprehensive Services Act (CSA) forms, brochures and notifications was helpful to families when English is a second language to its Latino citizens.

What have been the benefits/results of the implementation?
The City of Alexandria has determined that Spanish speaking families have been better served by this practice. Since the implementation of this practice in 2001, the City of Alexandria has observed an increased level of engagement and participation from Spanish speaking Latino families with the locality CSA process. Sixty (60) Spanish speaking families have been served by the bilingual FAPT since 2001.

Estimated savings: None stated.

Barriers to overcome: None stated.