|
We have had case plan conferences/team meetings on nearly all of our children who have been in our care for more than just a couple of weeks. Sometimes if they are very short term, the cabinet will not do the team meeting.
When I've had a long term placement where the worker was dragging his/her heels about doing meetings in a timely manner or if I was not being notified of meetings, I would email the worker and cc a copy to the worker's supervisor letting them know "it was my understanding that meetings were supposed to be held every x number of months, and according to my calculations, that's any day now. Please advise me as to the date and time so that I can mark my calendar accordingly. Thank you."
Then after the meeting (assuming it actually takes place) I again email the worker thanking them for the time they are investing in this child and asking if they would please mail me a copy of the case plan (or better yet, make a copy for me to pick up at the office) so I can put it in the child's documentation book.
I've had to email a couple of times to actually get a response on occasion, but emailing DOES prompt action most of the time because it leaves a trail that proves whether they're doing their job or not. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CC A COPY TO THE WORKERS SUPERVISOR!!!
As for whether I feel I've been heard in team meetings, it depends on the situation. I do feel like they've allowed me to advocate for my kids. More often than not, it has been a good source of information for me. It was always interesting how much I found out about the birth family each time we had a meeting.
|