A Family Team Meeting (FTM) refers to an array of conferences such as Case Planning Conference, Five (5) Day Conference, Family Case Plan Meeting, Family Unity Meeting, Family Group Decision Making, Case Reviews and Periodic Reviews.
Through the Family Team Meeting, members implement the Comprehensive Family Services (CFS) approach for the provision of services to achieve desired outcomes, pursuant to KRS 194B.010, Cabinet for Families and Children -- Functions.
A Family Team Meeting requires participation of family member(s), SSW (including internal Cabinet partners, if warranted) and community partners. Attendance by community partners that perform a service in attainment of the family’s desired objectives as documented in the Case Plan qualify as an FTM.
The SSW makes a concerted effort with the family to promote and explain the necessity for community partner involvement in case planning for successful attainment of desired outcomes. A Family Team Meeting is required based on the cabinet’s Program Improvement Plan (PIP):
- On all second (2nd) referrals substantiated on children age 3 and younger;
- At reunification, adoption finalization and relative placement;
- On all placement disruptions, including Private Child Caring (PCC) resource homes;
- Prior to case closure on all Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) cases; and
- At minimum, one of the following OOHC case reviews:
(a) Five (5) Day Conference; or
(b) Three- (3), six- (6), or nine- (9) month case reviews.
Use of a Family Team Meeting is encouraged at the opening of all new ongoing in-home cases when the families need warrants the services of community partners and the family agrees to their participation. For all cases except OOHC, case planning participants are optional based on the family’s request.
Families have the right to choose whom to involve in their case planning, but are encouraged by the SSW to involve friends, family members and community partners that have the potential to be beneficial. A Family Team Meeting may be used throughout the duration of the case until services to the family conclude.
The Service Region Administrator (SRA) or designee approves any exception to a required Family Team Meeting, documenting the exception in the case plan, running/service record.
Link to: Tip Sheet for Promoting Family Team Meetings (FTM)