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Conferencing
-- from the Latin conferre, meaning to bring together;
also a time to exchange and witness alternative views.
Progress from the Child and Family, to
School and or Community. A Conference
can bring all of these components together in a single setting,
if needed.
- A Child’s Four Worlds are Brought Forth.
- The members begin to talk to each other, dialogue
the problems among each other, and witness the stories of strengths,
needs and solutions.
- Remember, Fighting For Your Child is what
it’s all about—and the stakes are high.
- A Photograph of the Child could be passed
around at the meeting if he’s not present, even with a possible
audio-tape by the child, introducing himself with statements of
his own likes and dislikes.
- Be Aware of Resistance , which is felt by
defensiveness, fear, hopelessness, reluctance, angry disputing,
mismatch between client needs and wants and what’s offered,
as well as differences in personality and information processing.
- Respond to Resistance by Reflecting Feelings
and messages back and acknowledging the view. Then shift focus
away from stumbling blocks. Use reframing, or offer another interpretation.
Reassess what’s offered by the person with what’s
requested. Describe both sides of the dilemma.
- Offer an opportunity to Expand the View of the Child
being worked with, at the same time staying action and outcome-focused.
- Stay More Conflict-Free through respectful
efforts within the group.
- Some Challenging Behaviors or Bad News is Inevitable
, though a conference approach focuses on best outcomes, but is
hopefully dealt with in a non-blaming and non-confrontational
way. Visit the website motivationalinterview.org
for pros and cons in dealing with both sides of an argument.
- Agreeable Conversation are Fostered through
conferencing ideas, so maintain non-judgmental acceptance, determine
the degree of discrepancy between where the client-family is,
what they are doing, where they want to be, or if they prefer
something else. Establish open-ended questions around the family’s
own wishes, goals, hopes and dreams.
- Be Aware of and Reflect on Inconsistencies or Contradictions.
Avoid arguing or debating, and use empathic summaries
in concluding an issue. Ask, “How have you managed to cope
against the odds?” or other questions about survival.
- This may be a time to Help an Individual Become Aware
of Struggles in his or her ownlife that may be interfering
with progress in the dialogue. “Ghosts” of past negative
personal experiences may have been getting in the way.
- Reduce Power Struggles by perhaps expanding
conference composition; after all, strong alliances often develop
as well.
Transition Statement
to Next Topic
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Finally, this model calls forth participating caregivers
who join the family as a part of their social network for only a
prescribed period of time. When the client- family is feeling greater
strength of purpose and is more connected to ongoing natural supports,
the team members might further remove themselves enabling future
meetings and dialogues to occur naturally-speaking among personal
networks.
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