Community Mediation Services had a contract with the Department of Corrections for a Family & Systems Teams (FST) program that serves families of boys and girls from 11-21 years of age, who are under DOC supervision, and assessed at moderate to high risk level.

Juveniles and their families were referred by their Juvenile Community Corrections Officer (JCCO) and the Regional Resource Coordinator based on involvement of multiple systems and agencies in the case, and/or the need of multiple social service interventions, and the need for a unified plan of care.

In the initial interview with the juvenile's family, Community Mediation Services helped the family to indentify the parties who should be invited to the FST meetings. CMS invited other identified team members to the meeting. Team members who attended the meetings usually include the JCCO, and family members, support persons, mental health service provider, drug treatment provider, school personnel and others, depending on the needs of the particular client family.

The meetings are strength based, focusing on what is going well for the family and what needs may be addressed by the team.

A lead case manager was chosen at the second meeting and he/she scheduled and facilitated future meetings among the juvenile's service providers, helping to integrate and coordinate services and assisting the family in identifying how the service providers could best help the family.

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