Through Family Group Decision Making, Families and CPS Strive to Keep Children Safe

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• Have you been investigated by Child Protective Services (CPS)?
• Have you been told your children are at risk of abuse or neglect?
• Have you been told your children have been abused or neglected?

If you said “yes” to any of these questions, Texas CPS may offer you a Family Group Conference (FGC) or a Family Team Meeting (FTM). These programs help CPS include families in their work to protect children.

What is Family Group Decision Making?

CPS protects children and acts on their behalf. At the same time, CPS thinks all families have strengths. Families know their children best and want them to be safe. That’s why CPS wants the family’s help.

Parents and families can help CPS fix the problems that led to the abuse and neglect. They can get help that best meets their needs in their own community.

How It Works

First, CPS will tell families they can help make a plan. Then, CPS will set up a meeting. The family helps pick the time, place, and who attends. Families can invite anyone who is important in their children’s lives.

A Family Team Meeting happens most frequently while children live with their families. It’s a quick way to deal with safety concerns.

A Family Group Conference happens most frequently when children have been removed from their families for a short time. It’s up to the family to decide if they want to have one.

Basic Values

• All children should be free from harm.
• Children are best raised in families.
• Families should care for their children.
• Families can make safe choices.
• Children are safest when families and CPS work together.
• Families must be respected.
• Families are the experts and can learn about their own strengths and needs.
• Children should be removed only when there is a strong risk of harm.

Why Family Group Decision Making?

• Families know best about children and their needs.
• There is less trauma for children.
• Culture, dignity, and values are respected.
• Fathers and families are involved more often.
• It can find and use community supports as available.

To learn more, contact your local CPS office or DFPS Family Group Decision Making staff.

Family Group Decision Making gets help from Casey Family Programs. Casey Family Programs is a private foundation that works with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).

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