Family Group Decision Making; FGDM) Specialist

Position: Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) Specialist

Comparable DFPS Position: Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) Specialist

Classification: Full-time, Non-exempt

Reports to: Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) Supervisor

Company: Texans Together

Location: Regions 6a and/or 6b (Specific work locations will be assigned and communicated as staffing plans are finalized)

Position

Description:

The Family Group Decision Making Specialist (FGDM) supports children, youth, families, caregivers, and stakeholders through the coordination and facilitation of Family Group Decision Making which includes Family Group Conferences, Permanency Conferences, and other family-centered planning meetings. The Specialist utilizes a hope-centered, strengths-based approach to engage families as partners in identifying goals, building pathways, strengthening natural supports, and developing plans that promote safety, permanency, well-being, and lifelong connections.

This position works collaboratively with other Texans Together (TTG) staff, caregivers, legal partners, service providers, and community stakeholders to ensure families have meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making processes and develop plans that build on their strengths, culture, and support networks. The Specialist promotes family voice, youth engagement, and shared responsibility while helping families identify practical solutions and resources that support positive outcomes.

• Receives and manages referrals for Family Group Decision Making services in accordance with program requirements and timelines.
• Contacts and engages children, youth, parents, relatives, caregivers, fictive kin, and other identified supports to participate in the FGDM process.
• Facilitates Family Group Conferences, and other family-centered meetings designed to promote safety, permanency, well-being, and lifelong connections.
• Prepares family members and stakeholders for participation by explaining the purpose of meetings, clarifying expectations, addressing concerns, and encouraging meaningful engagement.
• Promotes a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment where all participants have an opportunity to share their perspectives and contribute to decision-making.
• Assists families in identifying strengths, resources, supports, and solutions that can help achieve desired outcomes.
• Encourages youth voice and participation in planning processes whenever developmentally appropriate.
• Collaborates with caseworkers, caregivers, providers, attorneys, schools, and community partners to support coordinated service delivery and family-driven planning.
• Identifies and connects families to community resources and supportive services that strengthen family capacity and address identified needs.
• Documents meetings, family plans, participant involvement, and service outcomes in accordance with agency and contractual requirements.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and complete records and enters required information into designated data systems.
• Tracks meeting outcomes, identifies barriers impacting family success, and communicates concerns to the supervisor as appropriate.
• Assists families and stakeholders in resolving conflicts and building consensus around child and family needs.
• Supports efforts to strengthen family engagement, increase permanency connections, and improve outcomes for children and youth.
• Participates in staffing, training, quality improvement activities, and professional development opportunities.

• Bachelors degree required. Relevant experience considered in lieu of education requirement.
• Minimum two (2) years' experience in child welfare, family preservation, foster care, permanency, behavioral health, family engagement, case management, or related human services field.

• Experience facilitating meetings, working with families, and coordinating services.
• Experience engaging diverse populations and community stakeholders.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suites and Information Management Protecting Adults and Children (IMPACT).
• Knowledge of Family Group Decision Making principles and family-centered practice.
• Knowledge of child welfare services, family systems, permanency planning, and community resources.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based approaches.
• Willingness to adopt the Science of Hope and its application to family engagement and child welfare practice.
• Skill in…