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Family Group Conferencing

 THE 2009-2010 SCHEDULE

 Blue Quills First Nations College
in partnership with
North Central Alberta Child & Family Services Authority,
&
Native Counselling Services of Alberta

Offering a cooperative, highly participatory adult learning environment

A successful family group conference involves a shift from a decision-making process
 that is "professionally-based" to one that is 'family-based"

<> About FGC <> Training Options <> Overview of FGC <>

<> Facilitator Skills Training <> Who is the Training For <>

<> Accommodations <>

Coming Soon >> Constellations - Helping Individuals & Families

To Download a printable copy of the Flyer and Registration Form

    in Microsoft Word 2003 format (Right click here and Save Target As)

    in PDF (Adobe Reader) format - (Right click here and Save Target As)

NOTE > pay attention to the folder that the above documents are saved to

FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCING

A Family Group Conference is a collaborative dispute resolution process which empowers families to make decisions regarding the care and protection of children experiencing maltreatment, or at risk of neglect or abuse. Within Region 7 Child & Family Services, a Family Group Conference (FGC) is available at any time that a caseworker has become involved with a family and found a child or youth in need of intervention, AND the caseworker and parent agree that a Family Group Conference would be the appropriate way to assist the family in planning for that child or youth.

FGC is an effective process in re-empowering and re-establishing family leadership to take control of their future. Families develop a plan for the care and safety of their children that is endorsed and supported by Children’s Services and the court – rather than being developed and imposed by those agencies.

The roots of FGC trace back to traditional Aboriginal cultures in which the care and decision making for children and youth was considered the natural responsibility of the extended family and community as a whole. FGC is a replication of the traditional role of family and community before government services took over the responsibility for child intervention services. Traditionally, intervention occurred early in a child’s life when there is evidence of difficulties and a belief that the extended family and community has the wisdom and resources to plan for a better outcome for that child. Such processes are now being used most frequently in school settings, justice circles, and child protection services.

TRAINING LOCATION 

Blue Quills First Nations College Campus,
St Paul, Alberta
(5km west of St Paul North of HWY 29   Click here to see more details and a map

Groups & Agencies can book this training for their community,
e-mail sharons(at)bluequills.ca for info

Box 279, St Paul, AB, Canada T0A 3A0
1-888-645-4455 Toll Free
780-645-4455 (local)

TRAINING OPTIONS
... offering a cooperative, highly participatory adult learning environment...

Overview of Family Group Conferencing (2 Days)

Objectives:

• To learn how circle process forms a foundational practice for addressing issues of concern in families, schools and communities

• To deepen our collective understanding regarding the intention of family group conferencing for families dealing with current or potential child protection issues

• To learn about FGC process intricacies and core philosophical practices

• To increase knowledge about challenges and key components for successful application of FGC in case management practices

• To learn how this process can offer an invitation to family healing and de-colonization therapy

• To demonstrate that FGC addresses kinship care and offers a best practice option within the casework practice model

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Facilitator Skills Training (3 Days)

*Must have Overview of Family Group Conferencing before registering for this seminar

Objectives:

• To examine components of facilitator role development, including cross-cultural competency and empowerment based practice

• To experience basic facilitation skills and techniques

• To gain competency in planning and facilitating Family Group Conferences

• To connect to FGC mentors and other FGC facilitators

• OPTIONAL: Sweat Lodge & Supper? (mark interest on registration form

Who is this training for?

1. Child welfare practitioners

2. Family workers

3. Community agencies

4. Community leaders

5. School liaison workers

6. Elders

7. Any others interested in supporting families and children

8. For Registered Social Workers, each workshop is approved as 12 hours in ACSW Category A Continuing Competency credits

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Accommodation Options (your cost)

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