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Family Group Decision Making
Preparation and Coordination
The most critical phase of family group decision making is during preparation. Experienced practitioners report that thorough preparation is essential for the success of the family meeting. Estimates of average preparation time range from 15-40 hours per case.
The coordinator works with the family to discover family resources. Resources may include family members that are geographically distant or have simply distanced themselves from the family or may include membership as defined by the family or their culture, such as tribal elders or godparents.
The coordinator makes contact with family members to inform them about family group decision making. An invitation is extended and family members are helped to understand their role and responsibilities through the family group decision making process. The contact is also the coordinator's opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the family. Unresolved issues are surfaced and addressed to allow the meeting will be able to proceed to a productive conclusion.
The coordinator is responsible for facilitating the participation of family members. Facilitation may include support for travel as agency policy allows. The coordinator determines an appropriate location for the meeting. Location considerations include: comfort, accessibility, safety and privacy. Part of creating a welcoming environment is providing food. The food needs to be selected by the family and is often "comfort food" with home and cultural connections. Whether food supplied by the agency or organized by the coordinator with the family, food is an important part of the meeting.
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