Vol. 9, No. 1
October 2003

A Foundation for Family-Centered Practice

Families know more about their situation than anyone.
Families can formulate their own goals and build their solutions.
Families tend to maintain solutions they create.
Families are doing the best they can in difficult situations.
Family strengths can be enhanced; change can happen.
Families are our partners and need our support.
Families can enhance and improve the well-being of their children, with assistance and support.
Safe solutions will be found in partnerships among parents, workers, supervisors, and other community partners.
Families have a right to be supported in their efforts to improve their children’s well-being.
Most children can be protected by their parents.
Child protection must also focus on family protection.

Source: Berg & Kelly, 2000