Values
The Detroit Institute for Children is guided by a set of values in fulfilling its mission and vision. These values cultivate an environment in which:

• People are viewed as our most important asset.
• The environment is empathetic, mutually respectful and culturally sensitive.
• Quality service is provided in a competent manner
• Customer service needs and expectations are satisfied.
• Team creativity, empowerment, accountability and responsibility are demonstrated.
• Resources are utilized in an effective and efficient manner.
• Operations are within standards of applicable accrediting bodies

The Detroit Institute for Children provides services within a family-centered care (FCC) context.  The nine elements of FCC, as set forth by the Association for the Care of Children’s Health (1990) influence the means by which care is organized and delivered.  The elements of FCC are the values and beliefs upon which we provide services and include:

• Recognizing that the family is the constant in a child’s life, while the services systems and personnel within those systems fluctuate.
• Facilitating family/professional collaboration at all levels of health care, including care of an individual child; program development, implementation and evaluation; and policy formation.
• Honoring the racial, ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic diversity of families.
• Recognizing family strengths and individuality and respecting different methods of coping.
• Sharing with parents, on a continuing basis and in a supportive manner, complete and unbiased information.
• Encouraging and facilitating family-to-family support and networking.
• Understanding and incorporating the developmental needs of infants, children and adolescents and their families into health care systems.
• Implementing comprehensive policies and programs that provide emotional and financial support to meet the needs of families.
• Designing accessible health care systems that are flexible, culturally competent and responsive to family-identified needs.

Note:  From What is Family-Centered Care? (brochure) by National Center for Family-Centered Care, 1990, Washington, DC:ACCH.  Copyright 1990 by ACCH.