Last month, Communication and Conflict Management Associates (CCMA) had the privilege of facilitating a multi‑day Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) training with practitioners from Weechi‑it‑te‑win Family Services. This thoughtful, engaged group brought deep commitment to family‑centered practice and a wide range of community perspectives that enriched every discussion.

Throughout the training, participants explored the philosophy, structure, and practical application of FGDM, with a focus on honoring family voice, building on strengths, and supporting culturally grounded decision‑making. Conversations were shaped by the diverse experiences represented in the room, including staff working in prevention, family support, child welfare, and community‑based programming.

A meaningful part of the training centered on how Weechi‑it‑te‑win plans to integrate FGDM into their work. Participants shared plans to use the model in several contexts, including:

• Supporting families during early‑intervention and prevention efforts
• Strengthening collaborative planning when safety concerns arise
• Creating space for extended family and community members to participate in decision‑making
• Enhancing transitions, reunification planning, and ongoing casework
• Building processes that reflect First Nations values, traditions, and community strengths

CCMA emphasized trauma‑informed facilitation, cultural humility, and the importance of adapting the FGDM process to reflect the unique strengths, traditions, and decision‑making practices of each family. Participants left with a comprehensive toolkit, including a detailed training manual, preparation checklists, sample scripts, and strategies for navigating common challenges.

We are grateful to the entire Weechi‑it‑te‑win team for their engagement, insight, and commitment to family‑driven practice. It was an honor to learn with you, and we look forward to supporting your continued growth as FGDM practitioners.
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If your organization is interested in hosting an FGDM training or exploring additional professional development opportunities, CCMA would be glad to connect.

This August 26-27 CCMA founders Dr. Charlene Berquist and Heather Blades will provide virtual training in facilitating Family Group Conferences (FGCs) for the Office of Dispute Resolution and Family Court Programs in the 7th Judicial Circuit. The training, offered through the Center for Dispute Resolution at Missouri State University, will explore how FGCs can be used by schools, social service agencies, and others to benefit youth and families. The training will prepare participants to facilitate FGCs for families referred by the Clay County Family Court.

 What Are Family Group Conferences (FGCs)
FGCs are family-led meetings in which family, friends, and other supportive people in the lives of a family or youth come together to make a plan to address difficulties or challenges faced by the family or youth. The FGC is supported by an independent facilitator, who helps the family prepare for the FGC and guides the conference. In an FGC, families are empowered to express needs, verbalize concerns, identify resources, and create their own robust plans to support the family or youth in managing challenges, which may include truancy, behavioral issues, academic concerns, parent engagement, etc. Outside agencies (such as the school system, juvenile office, etc.) may provide information on things that the family should address in their plan, but the family decides the best way to support the family or youth in achieving their goals. 

About the FREE Training
This training is free for participants who are interested in co-facilitating FGCs for families referred by the Clay County Family Court. For more information on Clay County’s FGC program and facilitation compensation, please email [email protected]. To register for this training visit https://bit.ly/36FNIpa.

This training will cover the following:

• the philosophical underpinning of the FGC model;
• the goals and benefits of the process;
• appropriate behaviors, role, and responsibilities for a facilitator;
• strategies for building strong family support networks;
• how to prepare family members for an FGC; and
• how to effectively coordinate an FGC meeting.

CCMA's Founders and Family Group Conferencing
Family Group Conferencing is a flexible process that can be used in a variety of contexts, and Dr. Berquist and Ms. Blades have a long history of providing FGC services and training.

In the Regional Partnership Grant (RPG) program, the Berquist and Blades trained and coordinated volunteer facilitators who provided FGC services for parents receiving substance abuse treatment through Alternative Opportunities, Inc.. In these FGCs, families developed plans to support the parent(s) in recovery and ensure the safety and well-being of the children involved.

As part of a Title II grant, the CDR (led by Berquist and Blades) prepared and supported volunteer facilitators who provided FGCs for at-risk girls and young women referred by the Greene County Juvenile Office. In these FGCs, families focused on developing plans to address each youth’s behavior or difficulties (including juvenile offending, status offenses, truancy, relationship issues, etc.). The FGCs also addressed concerns identified by the Juvenile Office, school, family, and youth.

In addition to providing Family Group Conferencing as a part of its community programming, Berquist and Blades have an extensive history of offering customized training in facilitating FGCs for child welfare organizations, community groups, and others. Past training clients have included Great Circle, the Omaha Tribe Peacemaker Project, the Healthy Families Taskforce, and the Office of Dispute Resolution and Family Court Programs in the 7th Judicial Circuit.

For more information on training in Family Group Conferencing check out this webpage or email [email protected].