Family Group Decision Making Annual Evaluation Report

Source: (2001) Tuscon, AZ: LeCroy & Milligan Associates, Inc.

Family group decision making is a model and strategy for dealing with youth in trouble and their families. First developed in New Zealand in 1989 as part of child welfare reform, it concentrates on family strengths and capacity for change rather than on problems and deficits. This particular Family Group Decision Making Program, oriented primarily toward child welfare purposes rather than juvenile justice per se, is a relatively new effort by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). The aim of the program is to encourage and prepare families to develop and implement their own placement plans to ensure child safety. The first phase of the evaluation focused on the implementation of the program. The evaluation began in February 2001 and covered through August 2001. This report details the program’s background, the evaluation purpose and design, a review of the relevant literature, program implementation, future evaluation plans, and conclusions and recommendations. Materials at the end of the report provide valuable materials on the tools used in the research.