1021-1           FAMILY SUPPORT TEAM GUIDELINES

General guidelines for the FST Family Support Team are:

• Work as team members with the focus being to maximize the FFWS Families First Work Services client and family’s health, safety, well-being and self-sufficiency through collaboratively providing appropriate services and supports.

• To partner as a team cooperatively, with an emphasis on increased communication and collaborative problem-solving. This involves partnerships between DPA Division of Public Assistance/Work Services and multiple partners including other DHSS Department of Health and Social Services divisions and human service providers that the FFWS client or family members are involved with.

• The FST is composed of the FFWS client, his/her natural support (i.e., friends, family, clergy, and advocates) and paid service providers. Using the Family Network, the case manager assists the client to select members for the FST who are considered supportive of the client moving forward toward self-sufficiency.

• The FFWS client is always the key decision-maker who collaboratively develops FST meeting agendas, contributes to meetings and confirms decisions made based on meeting discussion.

• All FST meetings are focused on moving the client forward, and understanding the client/family’s needs. All communication during and between meetings is positive, using strengths-based language. (always presenting “the best” of the client/family.)

• Confidentiality is upheld according to DHSS Department of Health and Social Services regulations (Attachment), as well as to agency-specific confidentiality standards.