Contact Information:

Kerry Milligan, MSSW
President
(520) 326-5154 Ext. 118
kerry@lecroymilligan.com

DES/CPS Homepage
Year 1 Evaluation Report
Year 2 Evaluation Report
Year 3 Evaluation Report (2003)
Year 3 Evaluation Report Executive Summary

Family Group Decision Making

LeCroy & Milligan Associates, Inc. conducted a process and outcome evaluation of the Family Group Decision Making program implemented in the State of Arizona, funded through the Department of Economic Security. The overall goal was to determine whether the program reduces the number of dependency petitions, reduces the number of substantiated reports of child abuse/neglect and increases satisfaction with CPS for families which participate in the program.

About Family Group Decision Making:

Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) is a model and strategy which focuses on family strengths and capacity for change rather than on problems and deficits. FGDM was first used in New Zealand in 1989 as part of child welfare reform. The basic structure of the model involves bringing together extended family members to decide on a plan of safety and placement for children in families referred to Child Protective Services (CPS). The model is used in mother venues (e.g., juvenile justice) but has been adopted in Arizona mainly for child welfare purposes.

The FGDM program is a relatively new effort by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES). The Department recognized the need for such a program based on the high numbers of children placed in foster care, the recognition that children remain in foster care too long, the interest in improving the permanency of placements for children, and the intent to have safety and placement plans better adapted to families' needs. The aim of the program is to encourage and prepare families to develop and implement their own placement plans to ensure child safety. The focus of the program is on finding a safe place outside the home for children by encouraging decision making with extended family (kin and other people who care about the children), and providing support to the family in the form of services (through family, community, or DES resources). The program goals include decreased dependency filings, expedited permanency for children, decreased subsequent CPS referrals, increased family involvement and increased satisfaction with CPS.