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Boshier, Peter. How Family Group Conferencing Influences Decision-Making in New Zealand Courts.

PendingFamily Group Conferences (FGCs) were created by the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989. This Act deals with State intervention into childcare and aims to protect children from abuse and neglect through its care and protection provisions. The Act also established the Youth Court, which deals with young offenders. FGCs are the backbone of both the care and protection and youth justice processes. (excerpt)

Vanfraechem, Inge and Walgrave, Lode. Restorative Conferencing in Belgium: Can It Decrease the Confinement of Young Offenders?

From November 2000 through October 2003, five youth courts in the Flemish section of Belgium ran a pilot program exploring the use of restorative conferencing with serious youth offenders. The conferencing program relied on the New Zealand family group conferencing model, which seemed appropriate for more serious offenders. The data collected during the pilot programs are presented here. The results indicate that restorative conferencing can be implemented within the existing Belgium juvenile justice system and that judges, advocates, police officers, and social workers are satisfied with the use of the New Zealand model. Very high rates of satisfaction were also noted among victims, offenders, and their parents. Recidivism may also have been reduced as a result of the conferencing program, with a re-conviction rate of only 22 percent for juveniles who participated in the conferences compared to the 58 percent reconviction rate among juveniles who did not participate in the program. The success of the conferencing program in Belgium opens the door to a feasible approach for reducing the number of juveniles housed in detention facilities. Abstract courtesy of the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, www.ncjrs.org

Merkel-Holguin, Lisa and Pennell, Joan and Rideout, Patricia and Pennell, Joan and Bird, Cornelius and Pennell, Joan and Harty, Sheila and Bird, Cornelius and Rideout, Patricia and Pennell, Joan. Bringing Families to the Table: A Comparative Guide to Family Meetings in Child Welfare

As the authors of this paper remark, the practice of including families in the decision-making process in child welfare cases has grown significantly in the past decade. There are several distinct models of practice that use family-centered principles in combination with family group meetings. The goal in these models is to bring families xe2x80x9cto the tablexe2x80x9d to discuss issues, to maximize their strengths, to solve problems, and to support each other with respect to the welfare of their children. The various models for family meetings share certain common elements; at the same time, they also possess features that distinguish each from the others. The variety of models can be confusing for child welfare practitioners, family members, and community participants in terms of determining which model to employ for family meetings. The aim of the authors in this paper then is to provide a comparative guide to the different models so the relevant parties can judge what model of family meeting to use. Toward this end, the authors provide a descriptive outline on various approaches to family meetings xe2x80x93 their commonalities, their core elements, and their unique features.

Stanislaus County Child Protective Services. Family Decision Meeting Program, Stanislaus County Child Welfare Services Handbook

In 1996 Child Protective Services determined that Stanislaus County (California) had several hundred children in foster care. In this situation too many parents were failing to reunite with their children. Administrators of child welfare services decided to change the way social work was practiced with families. Inasmuch as removing children from their homes and families could be as detrimental as maltreatment at home, Child Protective Services adopted a philosophy and practice called xe2x80x9cfamily decision meetings.xe2x80x9d A family decision meeting brings together family, extended family, friends, community persons, and service providers to discuss and plan for the care and safety of children in the family. This document is the handbook for the family decision meeting program. It provides an overview of the philosophy and program of family decision meetings, referral procedures, criteria for deciding upon a family decision meeting, the meeting process, services provided under this program, and training.

Connolly, Marie. A Perspective on the Origins of Family Group Conferencing

It is widely acknowledged that family group conferencing originated in Aotearoa New Zealand with the introduction of the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989 and its creation of the family group conference. However, says Marie Connolly, what gave rise and shape to this development is a far more complex question. It is that question she explores in this paper. Toward that end, she looks at cultural issues at the heart of practice changes in Aotearoa New Zealand. Specifically, she discusses the place of the child in Maori society and the child’s relationship to familial kinship structures in Maori culture, and the ways in which New Zealand child welfare legislation and policy before the 1989 Act misunderstood or ignored that place and that relationship.

Pakura, Shannon. The Family Group Conference 14 Year Journey: Celebrating the successes, learning the lessons, embracing the challenges

Shannon Pakura is Chief Social Worker with Child Youth and Family Services in the New Zealand government. In this paper Pakura reflects on the history of family group conferences (FGC) in New Zealand. This begins with changes in government policy and law leading to the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989 and its introduction of the FGC. Pakura describes the social and cultural context in which the FGC was initiated and implemented. Looking back on those efforts and the history of FGCs in child welfare in New Zealand, Pakura identifies what was done well, what could have been done better, the effects of FGCs on Maori children and families, and challenges for FGCs and child welfare in the future.

San Joaquin County Human Services Agency. Family Conferencing Process: Practice and Procedure Guide

The Human Services Agency of San Joaquin County in California employs a family conferencing model to improve the care and protection of children. This approach functions by building partnerships between the family, community, and government. The San Joaquin family conferencing model roots in the belief that the best care and protection for children can be achieved by joining the strengths of families with community and agency support systems. This document provides a guide for family conferencing practice and procedure. The guide contains a history of this approach in San Joaquin County; a definition of what is meant by xe2x80x9cfamilyxe2x80x9d and who constitutes a childxe2x80x99s family; the importance of the family; principles of family conferencing; the referral process; the family conferencing process; and the roles of participants.

Sandau-Beckler, Pat. El Paso County. Familias Primero: Family Group Conferencing. 2003 Project Evaluation.

The Familias Primero Family Group Conferencing Project is a model court initiative of the 65th Judicial District Children’s Court in El Paso, Texas. Family group conferencing (FGC) is a process whereby child welfare services collaborate with the family, and the extended family and its support network, in the decision-making and development of plans for the care and protection of the children. An evaluation of the El Paso FGC program was conducted in the spring of 2003, with the period being evaluated covering January 2002 through March 2003. The report on the evaluation includes an in-depth analysis of the experiences of this entire FGC program. Some of the specific areas evaluated, especially with respect to outcomes, were the following: family communication; family strengths development; family resource development; goal setting and case management; compliance; and family permanency.

Mandell, Deena and Sullivan, Nancy and Meredith, Grahame and Sullivan, Nancy. Family Group Conferencing: Final Evaluation Report

This document reports the final evaluation of a three-year pilot project of family group conferencing in Etobicoke. A collaborative effort of four child welfare organizations in Etobicoke and the Toronto area, the family group conferencing pilot lasted from October 1998 to April 2001. The aim was to establish a model of family group conferencing that would function successfully by providing good and effective child welfare services in the Toronto area. This report covers the following topics: background to the pilot project; the origins of family group conferencing; specifics of the structure of the Etobicoke Family Group Conferencing Project; the evaluation’s findings with respect to outcomes, benefits, challenges, and costs of the conferences; the development of a referral system; and projection of next steps for the project.

Northwest Institute for Children and Families. Connected and Cared For: Using Family Group Conferencing for Children in Group Care. Phase I: Retrospective Study, Evaluation Findings

In the child welfare system, children in residential treatment and group care facilities are the neediest. Cases for children in group care are among the most difficult to resolve. For these children – whether they will eventually live with their family again, or they will never live with their family again – family remains of great significance. Yet, for various reasons, their family is rarely included in case planning or intervention processes. Many, therefore, reach independence at age 18 with no family support network. In this context, the Northwest Institute for Children and Families studied and evaluated the effectiveness of family group conferencing (FGC) on behalf of high needs youth in residential care settings in Washington State. This document presents the Institute’s 'Phase One Evaluation' findings. These are results based on a retrospective study of a number of conferences for youth in group care placements between 1998 and 2001.

Pennell, Joan. Should His and Her Sides of the Family be Invited to the FGC?

A principle of restorative justice is that, as far as possible, the conflict or harm that exists between people should be resolved or repaired, often through direct interaction. This is one of the principles that undergird practices such as family group conferencing (FGC) and family group decision-making (FGDM) in child welfare cases. Moreover, as Joan Pennell writes, it is generally assumed that concerns can be resolved and peaceful solutions found by bringing together a larger group to address conflict and harm. Yet, she also points out, cases of family violence seriously test this move to enlarge the circle for family group conferencing. In this regard, Pennell discusses the challenges, risks, and potential of bringing in both sides of a family in a group conferencing process in situations involving child welfare and domestic violence. To illustrate, she highlights findings from FGC projects in North Carolina (USA) and Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada).

Horwitz, Mark and Prostak, Nancy and Roche, Olga and Prostak, Nancy and Lovelace-Graham, Valerie and Roche, Olga. Making Kinship Happen: Factors Influencing the Development of a Kinship Orientation and Family Group Decision-Making Processes in Child Protective Services

The authors of this paper write that kinship practice is increasingly being seen as a best practice model in child protective services (CPS) settings. Kinship practice can be used in a number of ways as a diversion strategy: support for families while children remain in their biological parents’ home; temporary out-of-home placements; and permanent out-of-home placements. In this framework, the authors examine the following: the traditional relationship between kinship resources and CPS; principles to guide the adoption of kinship orientation in CPS; strategies use by a particular state child protection agency to build such an orientation; and family group decision-making as a means of increasing kin resources in child protection planning and service delivery.

County of Santa Clara Family Conference Institute. Santa Clara Family Conference Model (FCM) Executive Summary

The Santa Clara family conference model (FCM) originated in 1996 as a response to the need for families to contribute to the improvement of safety and protection of children in their care. The Santa Clara FCM is a form of family group decision-making (FGDM); this FCM is an adaptation of prototypes from New Zealand and Oregon (USA). This document provides an overview of the principles and processes of FCM, as well as a summary of key findings from a four-year evaluation of Santa Clara’s FCM program. The findings cover perceptions about the Santa Clara FCM from staff members and family participants, and outcomes from FCM processes in the Santa Clara program.

LeCroy and Milligan Associates, Inc.. Family Group Decision Making: Third Annual Evaluation Report

Used in child welfare contexts, family group decision making (FGDM) is a model and strategy for focusing on family strengths and capacity for change rather than on family problems and deficits. FGDM involves bringing together extended family members to develop a plan of safety and placement for children in families referred to child protective services. This document reports the results of a third-year evaluation of the Family Group Decision Making Program of the Arizona Department of Economic Security. The evaluation report includes a number of components: a description of the current legislative requirements in Arizona; a review of relevant literature; program implementation information based on surveys, site visits, and staff interviews; descriptive data; outcomes for participating families; and conclusions and recommendations based on the evaluation. Additionally, the report contains many appendices with program information, statistical data, and assessment tools underlying the evaluation.

Ozeer, Sheila. Confessions of a Family Group Conference Coordinator

Family group conferences (FGC) provide a means for families to come together to make decisions about the welfare of their children. As Sheila Ozeer observes, this is only possible if all those involved in the FGC process properly and credibly fulfill their roles. Ozeer, based on her knowledge and experience as a family group conference coordinator, focuses on the role of the coordinator in helping the FGC process to serve families in making those decisions. To explain the role of the coordinator, she looks at the family group conference model and process; the roles and responsibilities of all the various participants; a job description for a coordinator; an overview of the referrals in which she has been involved; and challenges and issues for coordinators of FGCs.

Prescott, Dana. Child Protection: Kinship and Family Group Conferencing

The child protection system in the United States is a complex combination and collaboration of public agencies, private child welfare agencies, and community-based organizations. Most families become involved with this system due to a report of suspected child abuse or neglect. Over the years the system has operated back and forth between two emphases. One focuses on xe2x80x9cfamily preservationxe2x80x9d: that is, biological family structures are in the childxe2x80x99s best interests; keeping the child in the family is preferred. The other focuses on child safety: that is, the safety of the child is paramount; removing the child from the possibility of abuse is preferred. Against this background, Dana Prescott discusses key legislative and statistical information on child abuse and welfare strategies, the effectiveness of various strategies and policies, and the potential of family group conferencing as an alternative model to balance family integrity and child safety.

Stewart, Anna Louise and Smith, Frances. Youth Justice Conferencing and Police Referrals: The Gatekeeping Role of Police in Queensland, Australia

Youth justice conferencing in Queensland, Australia is a process which brings together those people in the community which have been most affected by a criminal offense the offender, the victim, and their supporters, and was established after an amendment in 1996 to the Juvenile Justice Act of 1992. Youth justice conferencing relies on the discretionary referral of young offenders by the police. Since the introduction of conferencing, low rates of police referrals were identified as a critical issue in undermining the successful implementation of conferencing. This study explored Queensland police officers’ training, experience, understandings of youth justice conferencing, and their individual discretionary policing style. In addition, the impact of these factors on officers’ attitudes towards conferencing and their reported likelihood of referring to conference were examined. Of the 600 questionnaires mailed out to randomly selected operational police officers in the Metropolitan North, Metropolitan South, Southeastern, and Southern regions, 184 questionnaires were available for analyses. Of the 184 police officers, 28 reported that they had never heard of conferencing. Of those officers who had heard of conferencing, the majority had received no training in relation to conferencing. Overall, surveyed officers who had heard of conferencing considered it to be a positive process. Those who had received training were more likely to endorse conferencing as a positive process. In addition, exposure to conferencing increased officers’ beliefs in the effectiveness of conferencing and ensured they were familiar with the procedures involved in conferencing. Study limitations are presented and briefly discussed. Abstract courtesy of National Criminal Justice Reference Service, www.ncjrs.org.

Hennessy, Julia and Carter, Ian and Dale, Christine and Carter, Ian. Family Group Conference and Young People Who Offend: Practice Standards

Outlines practice standards to apply to family group conferencing in Essex, England, including for the referral stage, writing the FGC report, meeting the victim, meeting the young person and family, contacting family members, liaison with key professionals/volunteers, arranging the venue, conducting the conference, the plan, and debriefing and contacting the participants following the conference.

Daly, Kathleen and Hayes, Hennessey. "Youth Justice Conferencing and Re-offending."

The literature on conferencing, restorative justice processes, and re-offending has largely been of comparative analyses of justice system interventions and re-offending, e.g., comparisons of conference and court by using experimental designs or by conducting meta-analyses. That researchers find few or no differences in comparing conference/court outcomes is disheartening to some and surprising to others, when the comparative approach itself may be part of the problem. We take an alternative approach in assessing the impact of conferencing on re-offending, utilising data from the South Australia Juvenile Justice (SAJJ) Conferencing Project and police records. Drawing from conference observations and official police data, we explore the relative importance of conference dynamics and offender characteristics in predicting future offending. We find that in addition to well-known predictors of re-offending, such as previous offending and social marginality, when youthful offenders were remorseful and when the outcome was reached by genuine consensus, young people were less likely to re-offend. These findings suggest that when attention is focused on the claimed benefits of conferencing in its own right, it is possible to identify those elements of restorative processes that are associated with reductions in crime. SAJJ observational and interview data also show that of the five groups in the conference process -- coordinators, police officers, young people (offenders), victims, and the SAJJ observers -- the victims were least able to correctly predict a young person's post-conference offending and most likely to wrongly think the young person would re-offend. Despite this, over 90% of victims recommended the government keep conferencing in the justice system.

Harris, Nathan and Burton, Jamie B. Testing the reliability of observational measures of reintegrative shaming at community accountability conferences and at court

The inter-rater reliability of reintegrative shaming concepts was tested at Community Accountability Conferences and at court proceedings in Canberra, AUS. Data were collected from observation of 45 cases: 15 violence or property-related conferences; 15 drunk-driving conferences; and a mix of 15 drunk-driving, property-related, and violence-related court cases. The results indicate that components of reintegrative shaming theory can be observed reliably using systematic observation and global rating observation methods.