Parent Mentoring Program

 

FPAWS is working to implement the Parent Mentoring Program statewide. The Parent Mentoring Program is operating through a Federal Grant in the Clark County Family Treatment Court. Funding will be expiring in 2023. The 2022 data from Clark County Family Treatment Court shows results with an 85% rate of return home compared to the average rate of 44%. DCYF has a goal of reducing the need for foster care 50% by the year 2025. The FPAWS Parent Mentoring Program can help to facilitate that goal by serving 2200 children annually. To show support for the Parent Mentoring Program, CALL or Email your local legislator and ask them to support Rep. Emily Wicks and Sen. Claire Wilson’s Parent Mentoring Program budget provisos in the 2022 legislative session.

Partnering with the Foster Care Community and Parents to Better Support Children  

The FPAWS Parent Mentoring Program provides individualized education, training, and support to foster parents and parents to ensure they have the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to facilitate successful reunification for children in a shorter amount of time and with fewer incidence of return to care. 

From a Parent Mentoring Program Graduate

“Having a Parent Mentor gave me a level of support I couldn’t have received from anywhere else. My mentor was with me during every step of my dependency case. She gave me guidance and encouragement when I needed it the most.

Some Mentoring Skills Offered

  • Skill Improvement Opportunities
  • Non-physical means of Discipline 
  • Parenting Skills Hygiene Issues
  • Appropriate Housing
  • Development of a Budget
  • Advocacy and Referrals
  • And any other identified areas of skill building 

Outline of the FPAWS Parent Mentoring Program 

  • Child welfare workers discuss PMP with parents that volunteer to participate
    • A referral is made to FPAWS PMP 
    • Action plan developed with social worker, Mentor and family 
  • Mentors complete assessment of families before and after services
  • Mentors meet with families 6-10 hours per week for 16 to 24 weeks 
    • Mentors teach skills one to one 
    • Mentors assist families in job search, obtaining housing, connecting with services, complying with mental health care, accessing resources, resolving legal matters, building a healthy support network 
  • Mentors check in with social workers monthly or as needed 

Expected Outcomes 

  • Mentors provide progress documentation to social worker weekly 
  • Mentors develop a supportive relationship with parents 
  • Families comply with established service plan 
  • Families are better able to care for and protect their children 
  • Bonds within the child’s family are maintained 
  • Standard of reasonable effort is met 
  • Increased teamwork among social workers, families, and foster parents 
  • Increased community-based formal and informal support for birth families 
  • Decreased time in care for children in foster care

Stuart Foundation Study Logic Model Outcomes

See complete study here

  • FAMILIES MORE FREQUENTLY REUNIFY
  • CHILDREN’S LENGTH OF STAY IN FOSTER CARE IS REDUCED
  • FEWER CHILDREN RETURN TO CARE AFTER REUNIFICATION

Contact your local legislators to ask them to support the 2022 Parent Mentoring Program Senate and House budget provisos.

Share this:

become a Friend of FPAWS