Supervised Access
Supervised Access is arranged by the Agency when a child is living away from their parents, and provides a safe, child-focused, neutral setting where visits can take place under the supervision of an Access Worker. Access Workers provide assistance to parents and children by: assessing how the family functions together, setting goals with the family, identifying grief & attachment reactions, and role model strategies.
Access Workers assist the families with improving:
During the visit, families spend time together performing regular “family tasks.” They learn developmental play/growth, have meals/snacks, communicate, work on homework, problem solve, and manage conflicts.
There are two forms of Supervised Access:
Monitored Supervised Access
Monitored Access recognizes that some families may have significant factors that complicate their ability to engage in goal setting and change, as a result of serious mental health concerns or instability due to serious addiction issues. On-going efforts are made to encourage active involvement in visits, while ensuring that the visits are safe and beneficial to the child.
Clinically Managed Supervised Access
Clinically Managed Supervised Access (CMSA) is the therapeutic access process, in which families are provided with the opportunity to receive structured, goal-focused access. The issues, which bring the family into the Society, are addressed through several methods and goals are set for each visit. Focus on improving the attachment relationship between child and parent is of primary importance in the process within CMSA.
Family Group Decision Making
Families involved with the Society are eligible to participate in Family Group Decision Making (FGDM), which is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution. This alternative to court processes allows the family, extended family and friends to come together to make a plan for the child. The plan addresses the concerns of the Society and can also be utilized when there is no court involvement. This voluntary process empowers the family to create a plan of their own to address the needs of their children and can be used at any time.
The FGDM model is based on the premise that families want to plan for their children and want to ensure that the children’s needs are met. FGDM also believes that every family has unique abilities and strengths, and it is these positive qualities that families can build on when planning for their children’s well being.
The Society worker or the family themselves can refer to the program by contacting the Coordinator. FGDM is appropriate for when;
It is also appropriate to refer when a variation is needed to an openness order for adoption, a plan for a child who is returning home, or in pre-birth planning.
What is Family Group Decision Making (FGDM)?
A Family Group Decision Making (FDGM) is a process which joins you with relatives and friends, to develop a plan to ensure that your child(ren) are cared for.
Why Use FDGM?
How is the Meeting Arranged?
How Long Does it Take?
What Happens in a Family Group Meeting?
Part 1 – Welcome & Information Sharing
Part 2 – Private Family Time
Part 3 – Presentation of the plan
A copy of the plan will be sent to the family within 10 days of the meeting.