Youth and Family Meetings

Youth and Family Meetings

DCYF is making changes to Family Team Decision Making (FTDM) and Shared Planning Meetings (SPM). The first is the name. These meetings are now Youth and Family Meetings.

With a new name comes a new meeting model, and a launch date of April 1, 2026. These changes are part of the systems improvement program revisions and goals in the D.S. Settlement Agreement and Thriving Families Initiative.

What is Changing

  • Same Process: Instead of having separate meeting types, FTDMs and SPMs, all meetings will be Youth and Family Meetings.
  • Consistent Framework: DCYF worked with Evident Change to make sure all meetings follow the six stages of Team Decision Making (TDM). This means shared understanding, transparency, and continuity for everyone involved.
  • Virtual and In-Person Meetings: The meeting format will be based on what the family or youth needs. Staff will decide if the meeting should be in-person, virtual, or hybrid. This will be based on the accessibility, engagement, safety, and logistical needs of the family, youth, and kin. In-person meetings will be the default option.
  • Referrals: Each region will adopt the same referral process to request meetings. This is currently being created.
  • Invites: Meetings Consultants will invite participants. They will also work with caseworkers and supervisors to make sure all youth 12 years and older and their two chosen support people are invited.
  • Safety Check-Ins and Debrief: A safety check-in will be completed with all youth and parents before the meeting. The goal of a check-in is to make sure the meeting will be a safe and supportive space for all. Consultants, caseworkers, supervisors, and other DCYF staff will gather after meetings to discuss next steps.
  • Transparent Documentation: Meetings Consultants will write down meeting discussions and make them into a clear action plan. This will be emailed or printed out and handed to participants. Families will leave meetings with a plan that includes:
    • Outlined decisions
    • Agreed upon next steps
    • Timelines to support follow-through and accountability

Training

Training on this new model is available for external partners. Please contact Meetings Program Manager, Sarah McCamant, to schedule training for your group or organization.