Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) Specialist

Depelchin-Children; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Texans Together is seeking a Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) Specialist in Regions 6a/6b to support children, youth, families, and caregivers through FGDM processes with a hopeful, strengths-based approach.

You will facilitate conferences, engage diverse participants, document meetings, and coordinate services with partners to build safe, permanency-focused plans. Travel is occasional and collaboration is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; relevant experience may substitute.
• Minimum two years' experience in child welfare, family preservation, foster care, permanency, behavioral health, family engagement, case management, or related human services.

Responsibilities

• Receive and manage referrals for FGDM services per requirements and timelines.
• Engage children, youth, parents, relatives, caregivers, and other supports to participate in FGDM.
• Facilitate Family Group Conferences and related meetings to promote safety and permanency.
• Prepare participants by explaining purpose, setting expectations, and encouraging engagement.
• Promote safe, respectful environments for all perspectives.

Skills

Communication

MS Office

IMPACT

Trauma-informed

Facilitation

Conflict resolution

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

IMPACT

Microsoft Office

Job description

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.

Primary Responsibilities:

• 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.

Required Qualifications:

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 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 facilitating meetings and group discussions involving diverse participants and complex family dynamics.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong engagement, relationship-building, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to establish trust and maintain effective working relationships with families, youth, caregivers, staff, and community partners.
• Ability to gather and organize information and maintain accurate documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting required deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

Work Conditions:

• Environment: Office-based
• Work Schedule: Mon - Fri during standard business hours
• Travel: Occasional

DePelchin is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity Workplace.

DePelchin is committed to selecting and employing the best and most qualified person available for each job opening without unlawful discrimination of any kind. Additionally, DePelchin is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), marital or parental status, veteran status, religion, national origin, age, disability, family medical history, genetic information, or political affiliation.