Family-Driven/Youth-Guided Care FAQ December 2006

December 2006

Question:
My granddaughter is currently being served in my community with an agency that is considered to be a part of the system of care. Several of us parents and grandparents have been asked to represent family voice at various committee meetings and focus groups in our community. At each of those meetings we are told about “Family Driven/Youth Guided” care. We totally have the definition down pact. My question is how do we know if we are leading and our children and grandchildren are driving this process? What are the challenges we could face and ways to overcome those challenges?

Answer:
Please realize that council meetings, focus groups and committee meetings can be overwhelming. We must have the appropriate tools, understanding and knowledge of the process, and the courage to become equal partners to help change the systems that serve our children and youth. With the knowledge of what “family-driven” means, being aware of challenges and strategies to overcome those challenges is always helpful.

Definition of Family-Driven Care

Family-driven means families have a primary decision making role in the care of their own children as well as the policies and procedures governing care for all children in their community, state, tribe, territory and nation. This includes:

Choosing supports, services, and providers;
Setting goals;
Designing and implementing programs;
Monitoring outcomes;
Partnering in funding decisions; and
Determining the effectiveness of all efforts to promote the mental health and well being of children and youth.

Challenges in a system of care could be:

Infrastructure does not support a place for family/youth voice.
Lack of support from local, state and national government.
Lack of a way to bring information to that level.
Family- Professional partners not sure of either’s role/responsibilities.
Family/youth not properly trained or lacking the appropriate skills to develop programs that support a shift toward family-driven care.
Values can be at risk.

Strategies to overcome those challenges could be:

Encourage and value family voice at all levels.
Respect each other’s culture and values.
Change the atmosphere to change attitudes.
Encourage and assist with peer-to-peer support.
Be accountable for transforming the system to become family driven.
Give each other permission to be transparent when sitting at the table together.
Cultural competence is imperative.
Foster the development and enhancement of family/youth leadership skills.
Share power, authority and responsibility equally.
Develop policy and procedure to ensure the family driven practice is being executed.

Possible outcomes when challenges have been overcome are:

The foundation for family/youth and professional partnerships will become strong.
Effective decision making will be fostered.
The door is opened for consistent practices across systems and within the community.
A feeling of well being is maximized for families which encourages a sense of well being for the communities.
An appreciation for the effectiveness of diversity is established.
Dual relationships are formed.
Advocacy thru partnership and engagement emerges.
Families and youth have effective, applicable, and comprehensive information to make good decisions concerning their lives and others.

When families and professionals can work together as true partners it paves the way for the atmosphere to change. The changes could be where the:

Atmosphere where family, youth and professionals respect each other.
Atmosphere where family, youth and professionals trust each other.
Atmosphere where everyone feels safe enough to be honest and real.

Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health

Family Involvement and Advocacy Frequently Asked Questions

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	December 2006 Question: My granddaughter is currently being served in my community with an agency that is considered to be a part of the system of care. Several of us parents and grandparents have been asked to represent family voice at various committee meetings and focus groups in our community. At each of those meetings we are told about “Family Driven/Youth Guided” care. We totally have the definition down pact. My question is how do we know if we are leading and our children and grandchildren are driving this process? What are the challenges we could face and ways to overcome those challenges? Answer: Please realize that council meetings, focus groups and committee meetings can be overwhelming. We must have the appropriate tools, understanding and knowledge of the process, and the courage to become equal partners to help change the systems that serve our children and youth. With the knowledge of what “family-driven” means, being aware of challenges and strategies to overcome those challenges is always helpful. Definition of Family-Driven Care Family-driven means families have a primary decision making role in the care of their own children as well as the policies and procedures governing care for all children in their community, state, tribe, territory and nation. This includes: Choosing supports, services, and providers; Setting goals; Designing and implementing programs; Monitoring outcomes; Partnering in funding decisions; and Determining the effectiveness of all efforts to promote the mental health and well being of children and youth. Challenges in a system of care could be: Infrastructure does not support a place for family/youth voice. Lack of support from local, state and national government. Lack of a way to bring information to that level. Family- Professional partners not sure of either’s role/responsibilities. Family/youth not properly trained or lacking the appropriate skills to develop programs that support a shift toward family-driven care. Values can be at risk. Strategies to overcome those challenges could be: Encourage and value family voice at all levels. Respect each other’s culture and values. Change the atmosphere to change attitudes. Encourage and assist with peer-to-peer support. Be accountable for transforming the system to become family driven. Give each other permission to be transparent when sitting at the table together. Cultural competence is imperative. Foster the development and enhancement of family/youth leadership skills. Share power, authority and responsibility equally. Develop policy and procedure to ensure the family driven practice is being executed. Possible outcomes when challenges have been overcome are: The foundation for family/youth and professional partnerships will become strong. Effective decision making will be fostered. The door is opened for consistent practices across systems and within the community. A feeling of well being is maximized for families which encourages a sense of well being for the communities. An appreciation for the effectiveness of diversity is established. Dual relationships are formed. Advocacy thru partnership and engagement emerges. Families and youth have effective, applicable, and comprehensive information to make good decisions concerning their lives and others. When families and professionals can work together as true partners it paves the way for the atmosphere to change. The changes could be where the: Atmosphere where family, youth and professionals respect each other. Atmosphere where family, youth and professionals trust each other. Atmosphere where everyone feels safe enough to be honest and real.