Presentation of the Parent Aid Program

Presentation of the Parent Aid Program

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  Parent Aid Program Promotingsafety, 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
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  Importance of ParentAid 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
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  Importance of ParentAid 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
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  Importance of ParentAid 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
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  Community- a resource developedfor 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
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  Importance of ParentAid 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
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  Program Approach: Empowerment Clients’ strengthswill 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
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  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
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  Community Partners The ParentAid Program will be the beginning, but the community must work together for success!
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  Continued Quality Improvement EvaluationPlan & 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
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  Continues Quality Improvement Analysisand 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.
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  Conclusion Help the ParentAid 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.
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  THANK YOU FORYOUR TIME