System of Care > Child & Family Team

WHAT IS A CHILD AND FAMILY TEAM (CFT)?

Children with complex challenges and needs, and their families, often need a flexible mixture of formal agency services and informal supports in order to reach their goals.  In a System of Care, these supports and services are planned, coordinated, delivered and monitored through a Child and Family Team.  The Child and Family Team is the ‘heart’ of the System of Care, building a team that is unique for each family, comprised of those persons who are important in their everyday lives.

A Child and Family Team (CFT) is a group of people, chosen with the family that meets with a child and family to set goals and plan services.  The CFT is built around the family to make sure the family’s strengths are promoted and their needs are met.  Team members work together with the family to write a plan based on what the child/youth and family wants and needs. 

Seven principles that support the CFT process:

      1)  Family, children and youth are full partners
      2)  Planning is led by the family
      3)  Meetings are a safe, supportive place for all members
      4)  Plans are built around what families do well and fit their beliefs
      5)  Meetings include anyone who can help the family succeed
      6)  Members are committed to the plan and share responsibility for successful outcomes
      7)  Plans are changed when they are not working for families

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN A CHILD AND FAMILY TEAM?

A Child and Family Team is built around each child and family to meet their unique needs.  A strong team has a mix of family members, friends, community members and service providers.  In addition to natural supports the team should include local agency service providers including, but not limited to, those involved with the child’s care, custody, education and treatment as well as representatives from agencies/providers that may need to become involved with the family. An ideal team would have at least half of the team made up of friends and community members.  The family chooses team members, with assistance from the CFT coordinator or facilitator. All CFTS require the parent/guardian to be present and may include children who are old enough to attend and understand the process.  Examples of other possible participants include:

• Friends
• Clergy
• Relatives
• Neighbors
• Co-workers
• Coaches
• Family Advocates
• Church Members
• Teachers
• School Staff Tutors
• Court Counselors
• Service Providers
• Medical Staff
• Mental Health Workers
• Mentors
• Daycare Providers
• Other natural and formal supports identified by the family

For more information about Child and Family Teams contact
Connie Windham
System of Care Coordinator
336 513-4200 ext. 4900
cwindham@acmhddsa.org

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ACRLME Mission Statement: "To assist individuals and families affected by mental illness, developmental disabilities,
or substance abuse to develop their maximum potential for growth and maturity in dealing with everyday life."