What is 'Ohana Conferencing?
Who is going to be there?
Why do we need this?
Do I have to come?
What is my role?
Where will my 'Ohana Confrence be held?
What do I have to do when I get there?
What kind of decisions will we make?
How long will it take?
Should I bring anything?
Should we bring the child?
Will there be food?
How can I request a conference?

What is 'Ohana Conferencing?
`Ohana Conferencing is a new way for DHS/CWS to work with families. We bring together extended family members of children who are involved with DHS/CWS.  Families know their own strengths, issues, and resources best - better than DHS/CWS or other service providers can. In an `Ohana Conference, families work with DHS/CWS and use what they know to make the best decisions for the safety of their children.

Who is going to be there?
Members of the child’s family who can help to make a safety plan. This may include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and others on both sides of the family. The social worker or case manager will be there and maybe other people who are working with the family.

Why do we need this?
If your child has been taken out of your home, you probably want to get him or her back. In the conference, you will find out what you have to do to get your child back. You may want to have some say in where your child is placed - temporarily or, if necessary, permanently. In an `Ohana Conference, your family brings together people who support you and your child.

Do I have to come?
Having an `Ohana Conference is a choice you make.  If the social worker is recommending an `Ohana Conference to you, it is because he or she has seen support and strength in your family. He or she believes that your family can make good decisions for your child.

What is my role?
You help the conference coordinator to identify who to invite, and plan where and when the conference will be held. She or he will call you on the phone to talk to you about planning the conference. Then she or he will make all the other calls to bring everyone together. You help the facilitator to understand your concerns and what you want for your child. 

Where will my 'Ohana Conference be held?
It will be held at a place that is convenient for you and your family, such as a local library, church, or community center.

What do I have to do when I get there?
The chairs will be arranged in a circle. There will be a facilitator and a recorder from EPIC. Everyone will sit in the circle to talk together.   The facilitator will help everyone to talk calmly and to reach the goals of the conference. No one is put on the spot.  No one is blamed. The goal is to create a plan to resolve the safety concerns and close the CWS case.

What kind of decisions will be make?
The family and the social worker can make decisions about:

• a service plan to support parents to address safety concerns in the home
• if a child is out of home, identify family placement options
• visitation plan for parents, siblings and extended family
• steps to reunification and case closure 

How long will it take?
`Ohana Conferences usually take 3 - 4 hours.

Should I bring anything?
Just bring yourself and your willingness to do what is best for your child.

Should we bring the child?
Children sometimes attend `Ohana Conferences. Parents, social worker, therapist (if the child has one), and EPIC facilitators together decide if a child should attend the conference. EPIC needs to know if any child will be attending the `Ohana Conference so that we can plan for food and, with the parents’ help, make child care arrangements.

Will there be food?
Your EPIC facilitator and recorder will bring food, and water to drink.

How can I request a conference?
If you are part of a family with an open Child Welfare Services case, or a social worker or service provider working with such a family, you can request an ‘Ohana Conference.  Download a referral form and email or fax the completed form to our office. 

'Ohana Conference Referral Form