Parent Partner Program and Services

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

The Parent Partner program was established by San Bernardino County Children and Family Services (CFS) to provide an avenue for parents of children who were previously in child welfare cases to mentor fellow parents whose children are currently receiving child welfare services. Under this program, San Bernardino County CFS employs suitable parents of children who have successfully passed through the child welfare system and dedicates them to mentoring, encouraging and supporting parents and families with open cases or referrals. This is accomplished through collaboration among CFS, community agencies and the parents. Parent Partners coach and assist parents with navigating the Child Welfare System, developing life skills to encourage effective parenting, and connecting parents with resources to help them successfully reunify with their children. This program has been in operation since July, 2011. Since implementation, the number of Parent Partners and the variety of activities they take part in to better engage parents have increased. It has been observed that a significantly greater proportion of children in open CFS cases reunified with their families when their parents and families utilize the services of Parent Partners.