Who’s Involved in a Family Connections Meeting?
- Parent – Parent of a child who is currently in foster or kinship care
- Caregiver – Foster parent or relative caring for the parent’s child while experiencing out-of-home care
- Parent Mentor – A parent who has successfully navigated the child welfare system and can coach other parents involved in child welfare through the steps to reunify with their child
- Caregiver Mentor – Current or former foster or kinship parent who has had relationships with parents while fostering children
How It Works
Step one: Parents and caregivers each work with a peer mentor through the process. Parents are matched with a Parent Mentor. Caregivers are matched with a Caregiver Mentor.
Step two: Parents and caregivers talk with their mentors in preparation for the first Connections Meeting.
Step three: The Parent Ally and Caregiver Mentor work together to lead a Connections Meeting where the parent and caregiver will meet for the first time. This discussion will include:
- Introductions and information about each other/each other’s family
- Update on child/ren (from the caregiver to the parent)
- Information about the child’s routine (from the parent to the caregiver)
- Information about what the child dislikes and likes (from the parent to the caregiver)
- Family traditions and culture
- Plan for communication and relationship building
Step four: Parents and caregivers talk with their mentors after the initial meeting to receive additional support.