Presentation of the Parent Aid Program
- 1. Parent Aid Program Promoting safety, strengthening families, empowering people through individualized services, and fostering a meaningful quality of life for youth, families, and the community. Amanda Bush, LSW University of New England
- 2. Importance of Parent Aid Program Who needs Parent Aid Services? ◦ Families currently separated due to previous removal of children ◦ Families at risk of removal of children ◦ Families in crisis, poverty, or struggling with substance abuse issues ◦ Families needing knowledge, resources, and support to improve their living quality and health
- 3. Importance of Parent Aid Program Why the Parent Aid Program? Parents and Families Need Supervised visitations to reunify families Restoration of parental family functioning and assurance that children are obtaining the care they are entitled to To gain knowledge of community resources To learn new, effective parenting skills To obtain household management skills
- 4. Importance of Parent Aid Program Why the Parent Aid Program? Community Needs ◦ Current increase in crime, violence, poverty, and discrimination ◦ Current feelings of mistrust and defeat toward Children Services ◦ Need for increased reconnection through a multisector, empowerment approach provided by the Parent Aid Program
- 5. Community- a resource developed for families Agencies & Programs are redefining their conceptions of family and community to explore ways to strengthen the community as a key resource for families. Sviridoff, M., & Ryan, W. (1997). Community-centered family service. Families in Society, 78(2), 128-139. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/230197470? accountid=12756
- 6. Importance of Parent Aid Program Learning from History My previous work within the foster care system has shown me how detrimental removal can be for children and their caregivers The trauma that is endured by each family that has this separation, especially for the children, is tragic. Need for a more proactive approach vs. the current reactive approach
- 7. Program Approach: Empowerment Clients’ strengths will be built upon to: Develop self-determination Learn to advocate Gain access to community resources Overcome barriers that prevent social justice, equality, and health as a universal right Families will be reunified and/or stabilized Have improved quality of life for the family
- 9. Implementation through Action Parent Aid Program is one of many programs offered through a larger agency. ◦ Current suitable administrative, accounting, and management systems in place to support the delivery of services from the Parent Aid Program. ◦ One Program Manager ◦ One Full-time direct staff ◦ Two Part-time direct staff Current negotiations of funding through Children Services Contract
- 11. Community Partners The Parent Aid Program will be the beginning, but the community must work together for success!
- 12. Continued Quality Improvement Evaluation Plan & Tools Community-level indicators of impact reports in collaboration with Children Services ◦ Quantity of removals and reunifications within set time frame Satisfaction surveys ◦ Administered to clients, children, Children Services workers, direct service workers, and community partners Interviews with key participants ◦ Supervision from Program Manager to direct workers ◦ Any other identified key participants per supervision and/or surveys ◦ Interviews from Children Services officials The semi-annual goal attainment report ◦ Action plan reviewed quarterly to produce goal attainment report
- 13. Continues Quality Improvement Analysis and Interpretation Monthly meeting as part of the agency’s already scheduled time for continued quality improvement Meeting including management staff that will compute, analyze, and interpret ◦ Plan for future adjustments as needed Various evaluation methods therefore various times of completion ◦ Consistently reviewing with colleagues monthly Collaboration data with Children Services will be provided quarterly and incorporated into the monthly review meeting.
- 14. Conclusion Help the Parent Aid Program assemble an empowered community of strong, stable families that thrive in a society of equality, diversity, and overall quality health; Help the Parent Aid Program create a community without barriers to human dignity and resources.
- 15. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME