Family Development

FAMILY DEVELOPMENT CASE MANAGEMENT

Family Development Case Management is a model of service provision developed over several years at MMCA. Its elements include a focus on the entire family with a flexible definition of "family." The model is strength-based and familyfocused, and encourages teamwork between family, agency, and community resources. It includes an assessment for measuring levels of risk in fifteen life areas and promotes problem-solving skills that identify and eliminate barriers to self-sufficiency.
Model assumptions include:

1. Families have strengths and can change;
2. Work with families is intended to empower them to resolve issues on their own;
3. Case managers are consultants and collaborators;
4. Family Development is responsive to the family as a whole; and
5. Development of a network of community support is vital to the success of families.

Model strategies include:

1. Structured initial assessment to establish rapport and identify concerns;
2. Development of service plans that identify community supports, and establish goals for family members to work on;
3. Time-sensitive, goal strategies to encourage progress and participation;
4. Active involvement of caseworkers, with periodic review of progress toward
goals; and
5. Follow up support to help families sustain themselves over time.

The Family Development model includes a comprehensive range of activities to assist participating families to achieve self-sufficiency goals through coordinated access to community services and ongoing case management support. Services are available in Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Northeast Cumberland counties. There is no cost for participation.

CAMP WALDEN

The Walden Camp Program enables low-income families to send their daughters (ages 9-11) to a ten-day residential camp near Denmark, Maine. Participants develop a range of interests, build self-esteem, and foster self-determination and autonomy through participating in a variety of camp activities.  MMCA helps with the application process and transportation to and from the camp.