Listening to the Needs of Kids, LINKS

A family-centered process for decision making.

LINKS engages and works with families to develop plans for the safety and care of children and support of families. Facilitators use the Two-Generation approach of serving the whole family, specifically children and the adults in their lives together. Learn more about the 2Gen approach.

LINKS is held at the beginning of a child protection case when a family needs additional ongoing support and is held again approximately every 90 days until safety is achieved. Prior to LINKS meetings, trained facilitators prepare attendees and remain impartial during meetings.

LINKS

Why LINKS?

To discuss safety, worries and plans for the family. Our focus is to hear the family's ideas about keeping the child/youth safe and further discuss services needed for the families involved.

Who attends?

Parents, family members, kin caregivers, people who support you in keeping the child/youth safe, the caseworker and their supervisor and other parties , i.e. therapists, probation officers, community providers and more. If a Dependency and Neglect Petition is filed with the Court, a Guardian ad litem(attorney for the children) may be present.

What to expect?

An open and honest discussion to create the best family plan. The focus will be to build on existing safety and strengths of the family. Families will learn why there are worries about the safety of the child/youth. Families and the team will leave with a plan that clearly identifies 'next steps'.