Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 6 - Division of Family and Children's Services › Chapter 1 - DFCS Policy Manual › Section 18-6-1-B - INTAKE & ASSESSMENT › Section 18-6-1-B-III - FAMILY CENTERED PRACTICE

Current through June 25, 2024
A.
Family
				  Team Meeting (FTM)
A Family Team Meeting (FTM) is a planned, structured,
					 facilitated decision making process to which members of the family both
					 formal/informal, are invited along with required DFCS staff and any other
					 support system identified by the family and DFCS. The key to a successful FTM
					 is the engaging and bringing together of those individuals, both formal and
					 informal, who are a part of the family's support system. FTMs allow for the
					 gathering of information critical to the assessment process, to the development
					 of the case plan, monitoring of the case plan and involvement of the family and
					 other pertinent individuals in key decision making.
1.
FTM Philosophy and Practice
At all times a FTM should be a family led, youth guided
					 and agency supported process. The primary focus must always be the safety and
					 well-being of the children and youth. As a philosophy, it reflects the belief
					 that families can solve their own problems most of the time if they are
					 provided the opportunity and support. No one knows a family's strengths, needs
					 and challenges better than the family. The family team decision making approach
					 is also a practice in that it describes the basic method by and through which
					 DFCS seeks to serve children/youth and families. A child welfare supervisor's
					 participation in a FTM is an opportunity to assess the Worker's use of Family
					 Centered Practice principles. The Family Centered Practice Principal
					 encompasses the following components:
* A clear but open-ended purpose;
* An opportunity for the family to be involved in
					 decision-making and planning;
* Options for the family to consider and decisions for the
					 family to make;
* The family's involvement in the development of specific
					 safety or permanency plans and in the development of services and supports;
* Engagement;
* Relationship building;
* Problem solving; and
* The outcome of the meeting will be reflected in the
					 development of a case plan with tasks and goals.
2.
FTM Requirements
A FTM is required during:
* An investigation if removal is necessary for the safety
					 of the child.
* This meeting should occur prior to the removal when
					 possible, or within 24 hours of removal unless the Worker is unable, after
					 diligent efforts documented in the case record, to identify, locate, and engage
					 the family.
* An investigation when safety and risk factors are
					 identified and a safety plan is needed.
* An investigation when evidence of abuse or neglect is
					 found or if there are safety and risk factors present to warrant opening a
					 case.
On all cases, an Initial FTM shall be completed within
					 thirty (30) calendar days from the opening of the case. The case is considered
					 open when the ASWS makes the decision in MACWIS for continuing services. The
					 ASWS should make a decision within five (5) calendar days of the Worker's
					 recommendation for continuing services.