Family Partners

Family-Driven Standard

Family driven at an individual family level means families have a primary decision-making role in the care of their own children. In leadership positions at their county and state providing input into the policies, procedures and funding decisions that govern the care of all children in their communities.  Family driven can be realized even within the context of delinquency and/or dependency proceedings, even when there is a feeling that it is not being driven by the family.  In some situations, families may not have the opportunity to drive all decisions, but they should have the opportunity to have involvement in the decisions. 

Systems will work in partnership with families so that the System of Care value of “family-driven” can be realized even within the context of delinquency and/or dependency proceedings. This includes:

  • Choosing culturally and linguistically competent, supports, services, and providers
  • Setting goals
  • Designing, implementing and evaluating programs
  • Monitoring outcomes
  • Partnering in funding decisions
  • Determining the effectiveness of all efforts to promote the mental & behavioral health of youth & families.
    • A minimum of 25% of the County Leadership Team is family members, who share equal responsibility with youth members and system partners.
    • County Leadership Teams ensure that family members are prepared, trained, supported, and valued.
    • The county has mechanisms in place to provide assistance for family participation in events such as stipends, transportation, travel reimbursement, and child care.
    • All county child-serving systems are accountable to youth and families that are receiving services.
    • Families have multiple opportunities in the county to provide leadership, support, and advocacy.
    • Peer support is available to families in the county in order to improve youth and family outcomes.
    • Families have access to information and skill-building training in the county to help make informed decisions for their family.
    • Families and systems in the county have shared the responsibility to ensure informed decision-making.
    • Families have a primary decision-making role in the county regarding their youth’s and family’s care and overall wellbeing.
    • Family members in the county have access to a family organization that supports family involvement at the system and service-delivery levels.