FY 22 Foster Parent Mentor Program (FPMP)

The Foster Parent Mentor Program specializes in one-on-one, intensive coaching relationships that provide newly approved foster parents with emotional support and encouragement, skill reinforcement, and parenting strategies unique to providing out-of-home care. These one-on-one mentoring relationships are designed to enhance the quality of care provided and stabilize initial placements. The program matches newly approved Foster Parents (mentees) with experienced Foster Parents (mentors) for their first six months of service or at the time of their first placement. Mentors seek to assist mentees by reinforcing what they learned during the initial pre-service training, Building Foundations for Successful Parenting. Mentors also seek to help mentees learn additional information and apply new skills through the utilization of the Mentor/Mentee Learning Guide. This guide includes approximately 100 topics with information that can be discussed between a mentor and their mentee based on the needs of the mentee. This guide was developed in collaboration with veteran foster parents, DCBS Recruitment and Certification (R&C) personnel, and DCBS Central Office personnel. Additionally, mentors model and encourage appropriate partnership with the child welfare system and help mentees identify resources in their service region. Goal: The goal of the Foster Parent Mentor Program is to enhance the quality of out-of-home care provided and stabilize initial placements. Objective 1: Recruit, screen, and train potential mentors Program Coordinators consult with each regional R&C team’s supervisor at least once annually and with each R&C team once annually to assess mentors’ effectiveness, receive recommendations concerning their continued service, and to receive recommendations for recruiting new mentors. These meetings also provide an opportunity for Program Coordinators to provide program updates and receive feedback to inform program services. Upon receiving recommendations for potential mentors from regional R&C staff, Program Coordinators recruit those recommended and invite those who want to mentor to complete an online Mentor Orientation course. The orientation includes information on the program’s history and purpose and provides an in-depth understanding of the role and responsibilities of a Foster Parent Mentor, as well as information on confidentiality and effective strategies for mentee engagement. Following completion of this orientation, Program Coordinators communicate with the potential mentor to address any questions they may have and to gain additional insight into their willingness and ability to mentor. Objective 2: Create, administer, and manage mentor/mentee matches Upon receiving the Foster Parent Mentor Referral form from R&C staff, Program Coordinators match ) referees with a trained foster parent mentor. Referrals for mentoring are accepted for relative/fictive kin caregivers seeking to become a child specific foster home through DCBS, as well as newly approved Basic, Basic Relative/Fictive Kin, and Child Specific Foster Homes. Subsequent or extended mentor matches are also provided for DCBS foster parents who consent to mentor services and for whom Program Coordinators or R&C staff believe additional or continued mentoring services would be beneficial. Proposed Scope of Work University of Kentucky College of Social Work Training Resource Center – Foster Parent Mentor Program (FPMP) July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 Program Coordinators conduct mentee orientation statewide during pre-service training for potential DCBS foster parents. The purpose of this is to address any questions potential DCBS foster parents may have and allow Program Coordinators an opportunity to distribute and collect a mentee pre-matching questionnaire utilized in the mentor/mentee matching process. Objective 3: Provide consultation and technical assistance to mentors Program Coordinators provide match management for each match. This includes technical assistance and/or consultation to assigned mentors. Program Coordinators inform both mentee and mentor of office hours and contact information, as well as contact information for after-hours availability. In terms of match management, Program Coordinators use a “Four Touch System” for each match initiated. This system includes a combination of phone calls to mentor and mentee, short questionnaires, and a final evaluation. Objective 4: Compile data on occurrence of mentoring The Foster Parent Mentor Program maintains a database/web portal to capture a variety of data related to mentoring services. Quarterly and annual reports are generated by region regarding the number of program referrals received and the number and type of new mentor/mentee matches created as well as total active matches. The overall number of contacts and the topics discussed between mentors and mentees is also reported as derived from the Mentor Monthly Contact Summaries submitted by Mentors. Objective 5: Develop and implement ongoing virtual service provision plans Program staff will develop and implement continuity plans for Foster Parent Mentor service provision using virtual platforms and technologies. These virtual service provision plans will be executed as needed to ensure the continuity of FPM services across the Commonwealth. The University of Kentucky utilizes sub-recipients for grants.