What is a Child & Family Team When is a Child & Family Team Meeting Location and Time Meeting? Meeting Necessary? We believe that Child & Family Team Meetings should be conducted at a mutu- A Child & Family Team Meeting (CFT) is A child has been found to be at high risk. ally agreeable and accessible location/time a strength based meeting that brings to- A child is at risk of out of home place- that maximizes opportunities for family gether your family, natural supports, and ment. participation. Please let us know your pref- formal resources. The meeting is lead by a Prior to the removal of a child from his erences regarding the time and location of trained facilitator to ensure that all partici- home. your meeting. pants have an opportunity to be involved Prior to a placement change of a child and heard. The purpose of the meeting is already in care. You have the right to…. to address the needs of your family and to Have your rights explained to you in a Prior to a change in a child’s perma- manner which is clear build upon its strengths. The goal of the nency goal. process is to enable your child(ren) to re- When requested by a parent, social main safely at home whenever possible. Receive written information or interpre- worker, or youth. tation in your native language. When there are multiple agencies in- The purpose of the Child & volved. Read, review, and receive written infor- At other critical decision points. mation regarding your child’s record Family Team Meeting is upon request. grounded in the following principles: Who attends a Child & Family Understand how to access needed ser- Team Meeting? vices and your rights to choose the pro- All families have strengths. vider for those services. Families are experts on themselves. Teams may include: Family Members, Youth, Informal/Natural Supports, Service Fami- Understand that written consent must be lies de- Providers, School staff, Attorneys, Guardian provided before you or your family serve to Ad Litem, Forster Parents, Court Personnel, members begin services as part of their be and Social Worker. You and your family Service/Care Plan. are encouraged to invite individuals who are treated with supportive Understand the responsibilities of all dignity parties to maintain confidentiality.

and What is a Strengths Discovery? respect. Receive assessments, services and noti- Families can make well informed deci- fications in a timely manner. sions about keeping their children safe A Strengths Discovery is an informal meet- ing with your family that is generally con- when supported. ducted by the facilitator prior to your Child Understand the right to review, dis- Outcomes improve when families are agree, and/or appeal. & Family Team Meeting. It is an opportu- involved in decision making. nity to explore our family’s culture, tradi- A team is often more capable of crea- tion, values, strengths, needs, and to identify Participate during the entire process tive and higher quality decision mak- when your child of family situation is your supports. This will allow the Facilita- being discussed. ing than an individual. tor to have a sense of who our are and what

you need.

Funding Why are Child & Family Team Meetings beneficial to you and In order to serve your family, funding may Child & your family? be needed to provide services to you that

meet your specific needs. The Frederick Together we can build a child and family team Family County Department of Social Services may consisting of a natural network of people that access certain funds which are governed by you choose to be on your team. Team policies, regulations, and laws. We request

Together we can work hard to find what is that if you select the provider ,you select a Meetings needed to help your family be successful and provider that accepts your insurance. We create desired changes. do understand that certain services this are not always covered by insurance. If cer- I acknowledge that I received a copy of Together we can find out what is needed to the Frederick County Department of Social help your family manage and eliminate the tain funds are utilized for your family you Working Together to Services Family Team Meeting stressors you are facing. may be assessed a co-pay. Strengthen Families Brochure. Together we follow the process called “wraparound”, which means that supports and

services are “wrapped around” the child and family to support and sustain you beyond ser- ______vices received from the department. Name Together we find creative solutions based

upon your family’s strengths, needs, culture, ______values and community.

Date Together we will decide when you have

achieved your goals.

Frederick County Frederick County Department of Social Services Department of Social Services 107 North Kent Street, 3rd Floor 107 North Kent Street, 3rd Floor Winchester, VA 22601 Winchester, VA 22601 Phone: (540) 665-5688 Fax: (540) 535-2146