Re: Family Decision Making in Child Protection

[Wslj@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 3/5/99 12:47:59 PM Eastern Standard Time,
smfoley@mpx.com.au writes:

<< Does anyone know of evaluations of these programs? There has been
discussion
 of mediation in Child Protection but I am interested in evaluated models in
 Child Protection, both at the intake and during the ongoing care and
 treatment of children
 Sue Foley
 smfoley@mpx.com.au >>
Hi Sue:

I started a FGDM program in my community two years ago with impressive results
(particularly a 23% reduction in children of color being admitted to the
foster care system).  The program operates at the child protection level with
substantiated cases where out-of-home placement is imminent.  David Crampton
(dsjc@umich.edu) and Deborah Willis (dalice@umich.edu) at The University of
Michigan School of Social Work have served as the program evaluators and can
provide you with more specifics.  They can be reached at (734) 647-2556.  

I also suggest that you contact Lisa Merkel-Holguin (lisa@amerhumane.org) at
the American Humane Association (303) 792-9900.  She has done extensive work
in documenting who is doing what both nationally and internationally with
FGDM.  The latest edition of their publication Protecting Children is devoted
to the subject of the implementation and evaluation of FGDM programs. They are
also hosting an international roundtable on the subject in Seattle (May
12-14).  

I hope this helps.

Wendy Lewis Jackson
Program Director
The Grand Rapids Foundation
Grand Rapids, MI
phone:  (616) 454-1751, ext. 110
fax:  (616) 454-6455