Faith Based Parent Mentor Program

Mentoring
Faith Based Parent Mentoring is a free service offered to parent(s) involved with the Department of Child Services or Probation due to their children being victims of abuse or neglect. A Parent Mentor works with the parent during this difficult time. The mentor offers companionship, links the parent(s) to community resources, offers the parent(s) hope, provides group life skill classes, Bible Studies, or special events to the parent(s).

How much time does is require?
It is expected a mentor will provide 2+ hours per week with their parent(s) for a minimum commitment of 12-15 months. Cases average between 6 months to 15 months in length. The ideal situation would be for the mentor to stay connected with the parent(s) even after case dismissal.

How will a mentor know what to do?
All mentors are fully trained. Initial training is approximately 5 hours. Optional training opportunities will also be made availalble to the mentors.

Are there other agencies or groups that provide this service?
There are currently no other agencies or groups that provide this service. The program started in August 2009 as a partnership between Bauer Family Resources and Faith Baptist Church, but extending to faith based individuals in the community who wish to serve.

What parents are given the opportunity to have a parent mentor?
At this time, the parents who will be given the option to have a faith based parent mentor will be parents involved with the HOMEBUILDERS or Family Centered Services programs at Bauer. It is our hope that as the number of mentors expand, we can offer this same service to families outside these services.

How does a parent mentor differ from a DCS case manager or service provider?
Case managers generally are employed by state governments. Service providers are contracted by DCS to provide services, generally home-based. Mentors are not to be involved in the decisions of the case, but are to be a support and asset to the parent(s) involved. The mentor does NOT provide reports, make recommendations, etc.

How long does a parent mentor remain involved with a family?
The goal would be to remain involved beyond the case dismissal, which averages between 6 months to 15 months in length. Service providers are limited in the contact they can have with families after case dismissal. It is vital for parent(s) and child(ren) to be connected to the community before the end of the case. The more connections/assets built with a parent/child, the less likely abuse and neglect will reoccur. It would be the goal for the mentor to connect with the parent(s) and to stay involved for as long as needed or to get them connected to other individuals, families and/or resources

Who do I contact if I’m interested in the program?
Lori Walters
Phone: 765-589-8719
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Faith Baptist Church
Phone: 765-448-1986
http://www.faithlafayette.org

Bauer Family Resources
Phone: 765-742-4848
www.bauerfamilyresources.org