Caledonia Argus

Family conferencing successful in county

Posted: 4/23/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Scott Ingalls has heard a lot of mean things said between family members since he began facilitating family group conferencing in Houston County.

Ingalls appeared before county board members Tuesday morning, April 16, to discuss the benefits of having at risk families create their own plan for solving their problems.

The family group conferencing approach first began in New Zealand and then moved to Oregon. Then it was started as a pilot program in three counties in Minnesota. Ingalls said, ìItís an essential service. Itís not something thatís here today and gone tomorrow. Generally speaking families like them.î

Family group conferencing can be utilized for child welfare cases or when children will be placed outside of the home.

It takes 20 to 30 hours of preparation time before the family conference can begin. It is voluntary and the primary people who are involved in the case meet to talk. The family may invite friends, relatives, neighbors, service providers or clergy who are directly involved with the child or family. There may be four to 14 people involved. ìWhoever the people feel are a support,î he said.

The meeting is usually held in a church and one or two people are interviewed beforehand.

Children are typically not invited because the meeting may last four to six hours.

Before the meeting, people are told that there is no finger pointing, and that the conference will be stressful. Ingalls said, ìThey will be angry, rageful, and crying. For many it brings up memories.î

Ingalls said there are two critical stages. The first is the introduction. People are told what is said in the room is confidential. However, if any type of child abuse is discovered during the meeting, it is reported. He said, ìI tell them who I am, why weíre here, general issues. If anyone is angry or upset they may be asked to leave the room. Above all, the overview gives families the opportunity to create an atmosphere where they feel safe, to create a level of trust and direction.î

The second stage may last 1 to 2 hours where people state their relationship to the child.

Since the conferencing is strength based, people are encouraged to look at the positive aspects of what things happened correctly. For example, said Ingalls, ìWhat are times this parent didnít abuse the child?î

Finally, everyone begin to design their plan for their family.

This, however, is usually a point where theyíre not sure what to do. Ingalls said, ìYouíd be surprised at how they have no idea where to start as emotionally charged as they are.î

Ingalls will ask if they would like him to facilitate that discussion too.

Ingalls said the success rate is hard to measure. He said, ìAfter deliberation, they present a plan that they have to accept. Normally families do a phenomenal job.î

Another critical piece of the process is for follow-up one to two months after the conference. ìIt gives us a good referral source for how their doing. Itís a good motivator to make sure theyíre following their plan,î he said.

Human Services Director Beth Wilms said the number of incidents with the families that were involved in group conferencing has declined. She said, ìScott was very, very good at facilitating.î

Ingalls will be leaving the county today, Wednesday, April 24 to take a position in Winona County.

Ingalls said he hopes that someone will take on the conferencing after he leaves.

Houston County Human Services Director Beth Wilms said Family Group Conferencing is an important alternative program that reduces out-of-home placement of children. The county plans to continue offering pieces of it until someone can be trained to do it.

She has seen that it is very effective. ìFamilies have been successful at implementing their plans,î Wilms said.

Currently there are ten social workers on staff with the most senior member having eight months experience at Houston County.

Wilms explained that this kind of turnover is not uncommon for a rural county. ìThe bigger counties can pay more. Thereís more opportunity in a bigger county.î

Top of Page