Parent Partner Approach
“I’m the first to admit I had reservations when I was introduced to the Parent Partner Program. I worried that having past clients helping current clients would create more hostility towards the DHS and Juvenile Court. . . I quickly learned that having a Parent Partner on a case was more than just helpful, it was a way for me to engage families in the process. Suddenly there was someone available to the parents that knew the answers to questions they were afraid to ask. There was a person who could give the family the empathy and the guidance they needed to become engaged in a process that is overwhelming. Having access to the Parent Partner Program allows me to give families someone they can connect with and who can support them as well as the Juvenile Court Process and the DHS. I fully advocate for Parent Partners and would encourage anyone who has reservations to set them aside and refer just one family- that’s all it took for me to embrace the Program.”
~Desiree LaBlanc, MPA, CADC, Child and Adult Protective Worker, Warren County Department of Human Services
Parent Partners is an approach that promotes innovative changes in social work practice that is unique because it not only celebrates individuals that have overcome obstacles through change, recovery, and accountability, but also uses their skills to mentor families who are currently navigating through DHS as their children are in foster or kinship care. Parent Partners demonstrate advocacy and effective communication, while holding families accountable.
The Parent Partner [mentor] is a key strategy to improving practice with families, but it cannot stand alone. Parent Partners network within communities and partner directly with DHS, child welfare staff, systems, and agencies. Parent Partners collaborate with social workers and providers to meet the needs of families, assist in policy and program development, change perceptions in communities, and facilitate trainings and learning opportunities.
The Parent Partner approach includes validating parents’ experiences and opinions to make changes in child welfare that will assist families in reunification and keeping children safe. Parent Partners meet with social workers, counselors, attorneys, and others regularly to assess progress and are able to help professionals empathetically and productively interpret the patterns, behaviors, and needs of families.
This approach includes not only Parent Partners but also those in training, aides, and allies. Parent Partners and DHS need to commit to multiple joint-learning opportunities. Examples include but are not limited to: Parent Partners, allies, and aides attending meetings, workgroups, and trainings within DHS offices to foster cultural change and build relationships; assisting DHS in meetings, committees, task teams, presentations, conferences, etc. to incorporate parent perspective; and instilling Community Partnership’s four strategies and mission.
Oct 2007- Oct 2008 Year Report
Statewide Resources
Newsletters
Building a Better Future Training Toolkit
Supplemental Training Toolkit: Review required outlines for each of supplemental training in Parent Partner Approach Handbook The following are resources for the supplemental training.
Toolkit for Parent Partner Coordinators
Resources and tools developed by local Parent Partner Sites
Liability Insurance Information:
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