INTERACTION

CONSULTANTS

Back to "Services" page

Mediation explained...

Mediation explained in VIDEO 

Parenting Plan Worksheet

The tool to help develop a parenting plan.

Family Group Conferencing

Family Group Conferencing (FGC) is an approach to facilitate decision-making where there are conflicting opinions or interests either between family members;  between a family and social service agency; or between an individual and the community.

FGC was eveloped originally in New Zealand with deference to Maori traditions as a system of restorative justice for youth. It has been adopted in many jurisdictions throughout North America as an approach in child welfare to resolve conflict and develop plans of care for children in need of protection.

In it’s North American application, the Family Group Conference Coordinator implements a structured process to facilitate a meeting of interested parties (family members and social agency representatives) to resolve disputes regarding a plan of care, in the interest of the child. The hallmark of the approach is that following a meeting of the interested parties, the family is left exclusively to develop the plan given it must meet stated objectives as discussed in the meeting of interested parties. Typically invited to such meetings is the entire family of the child which may include any and all kin both close and extended, the social agency responsible for assuring child welfare and at times other social service agencies who may provide information as to the nature of their services.

Although developed in New Zealand as a model of restorative justice for youth and adopted in North America as a system to address child welfare needs, principles of Family Group Conferencing can also be used to facilitate reaching agreements between family members on any number of issues such as care of the elderly or an infirmed family member, estate planning and settling estates.

If there is a dispute with regard to decisions affecting  family members then Family Group Conferencing may be an approach to help reach a resolution.

For more information about Family Group Conferencing in the child welfare context, please read this article:

FGC in child welfare - FAQs

For a list of approved FGC Coordinators in Ontario, click below:

Ontario FGC Coordinator Roster

To learn if a Family Group Conference may be helpful in your situation, please call and discuss.

Costs:

Dundas, Ontario office:

Billing will be on basis of actual time spent on any activity related to the FGC service, charged at the rate of $200.00/hr, plus GST. A retainer may required prior to commencing. If less time is taken than covered by the retainer, a refund will be issued. If more time is required than covered by the retainer, the FGC Coordinator may ask for additional funds to be provided if necessary.

Thornhill, Ontario office:

Billing will be on basis of actual time spent on any activity related to the FGC service, charged at the rate of $250.00/hr, plus GST. A retainer may be required prior to commencing. If less time is taken than covered by the retainer, a refund will be issued. If more time is required than covered by the retainer, the FGC Coordinator may ask for additional funds to be provided if necessary.

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW

www.yoursocialworker.com 

gary@yoursocialworker.com

(905) 628-4847

Gary Direnfeld is a child-behaviour expert, a social worker, and the author of Raising Kids Without Raising Cane. Gary not only helps people get along or feel better about themselves, but also enjoys an extensive career in public speaking. He provides insight on issues ranging from child behaviour management and development; to family life; to socially responsible business development. Courts in Ontario, Canada consider Gary an expert on matters pertaining to child development, custody and access, family/marital therapy and social work.

Buy the book:

For information on Direnfeld's book, Raising Kids Without Raising Cane, click here.

Are you the parent of new teen driver?  Check out this teen safe driving program: www.ipromiseprogram.com