Which step in family development focuses on setting short- and long-term objectives?

In family development, the process of setting short- and long-term objectives is critical to guiding families toward achieving their desired outcomes. When families set goals, they are identifying specific aims that reflect their aspirations, values, and priorities. This step enables families to clarify what they want to achieve and to establish a roadmap for making progress.

Goal setting empowers families by promoting active participation and ownership of their development process. It encourages families to think critically about their needs and strengths and how these can inform their objectives. This forward-thinking approach helps to motivate families by providing them with a clear direction and measurable targets.

While other steps, such as assessing needs and strengths, learning skills, and writing plans, are important components of the family development process, they all serve as foundations that support the goal-setting step. Ultimately, without defined goals, families may struggle to measure progress or maintain focus on their developmental journey.