Frequently Asked Questions

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Each family has a different set of needs. The meeting may focus on one particular goal or have a set of goals. Some more common agenda items are:

• placement decision making
• parent-child visit schedules
• extended family visit schedules
• sibling visit schedules
• sobriety related support
• education support
• housing support
• transportation needs
• employment support
• life skills support
• resources solutions
• Trial Home Visit (THV) planning
• other needs as determined by the referring agency and during the coordination process

Most parent education/skills sessions are held in the family home. Alternate locations such as a community venue are also available based on the needs of each individual family. 

We use Microsoft Teams for nearly all of our meetings. Alternate platforms may be accommodated by request. 

Yes, these are called hybrid FGDM meetings. We are happy to accommodate requests for hybrid meetings when a fully in-person meeting is not possible because of scheduling, transportation, or distance limitations. 

Oftentimes the supervised visits occur at a community location such as a library, restaurant, or play area. We can also accommodate visits in the family home or any alternate venue as requested by the referring worker and family. 

Participants are selected by the family and service providers. They can include anyone involved in a family's life like relatives, friends, neighbors, education support people, service providers, tribal representatives, sobriety supports, and anyone else identified as supports for a family. 

CFS is committed to protecting the privacy of families and participants. We keep everything discussed in an FGDM meeting strictly confidential and use email encryption to ensure the highest level of protection of personal information sent electronically. CFS team members are mandated reporters, the only exception to our confidentiality commitment is if new allegations against a child or vulnerable adult are revealed during the meeting. 

Visit supervisors and parent skills workers keep information strictly confidential and will not share personal information with anyone other than those individuals who are approved based on the release of information form. 

FGDM meetings, supervised visits, and parent education services are provided through county agencies throughout the State of MN. To participate in these services, the referral needs to come from the agency's referring worker.