{"id":31782,"date":"2023-10-05T15:00:11","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T15:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/caseyfamilyv2.wpengine.com\/parent-partner-program-themes\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T23:29:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T23:29:09","slug":"temas-del-programa-para-padres-y-parejas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casey.org\/es\/parent-partner-program-themes\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00bfCu\u00e1les son los elementos clave para sostener, expandir y difundir los programas de padres asociados?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Across disciplines, peer mentor programs have emerged as an effective approach to support and inspire individuals. One such model in child welfare, parent partner programs<\/a>, engages birth parents with lived experience as mentors to birth parents newly involved\u2014or at risk of becoming involved\u2014with the child protection agency. Parent partner programs focus on strengthening families\u2019 protective factors<\/a> to prevent child abuse and neglect, and\/or facilitate timely reunification.<\/p>\n

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A parent partner provides support, guidance, and hope as someone who has successfully navigated through a similar situation. Parent partners have a unique perspective and ability to empathize and connect with birth parents, and many birth parents attribute their successful reunification to the involvement of a parent partner. There is a growing body of research<\/a> that demonstrates these programs lead to reunification and low rates of re-entry into foster care. In particular, program strategies of early engagement, peer-to-peer mentoring, reducing social isolation, and linking parents to services may contribute to these positive outcomes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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As a parent partner I turn paper into people. Meaning when I am gathering a resource for a parent, I always like to make a warm contact. This has helped increase the comfort level of parents, because now it is not a cold call, but they have a person and information to connect with directly!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

— Dawne\u2019 Shaw, Peer and Wraparound Specialist, California<\/cite><\/figcaption>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n
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Interviews conducted with program staff from seven different parent partner programs1<\/sup><\/a> highlight the key elements for sustaining and expanding the programs, and spreading the model throughout the country. High-level themes derived from those interviews are summarized in the sections below.2<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Priorities and values set by leadership<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

According to interview participants, it is critical for leadership to articulate how the peer mentor approach aligns with the agency value of authentic family engagement<\/strong>, supporting a paradigm shift from professional-to-parent to peer-to-peer engagement and support. Leadership should communicate this value internally with staff and externally with community partners whenever possible. Staff at all levels need to clearly understand the evidence base and impact of parent partner programs as a powerful strategy for overcoming common challenges to family engagement, focusing on family strengths and needs, and forming trusting relationships with birth families.<\/p>\n

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All sites reported that leadership support and champions <\/strong>played a crucial role in the programs\u2019 success. Finding those champions (e.g., the Court Improvement Program and judges, guardians ad litem, community partners) was key, both when launching new programs and sustaining existing ones, especially during changing administrations or and when program funding decisions are being made. Champions were able to communicate support for the paradigm shift to stakeholders in several areas, including:<\/p>\n