House Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #32

A Parent's Advocate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Requester:

Michele Bradford

Organization:

A Parent's Advocate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Title:

A Parent's Advocate

Date Submitted:

01/06/2000 11:13:12 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

District Member:

Mark Ogles

Service Area:

County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counties Affected:

Manatee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recipient:

Manatee Children's Services

Contact:

Amy Merrill

 

1101 6th Ave. W., Suite 218

Contact Phone:

(941) 746-6767

 

 

Bradenton 34205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Description:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is the mission of this service to educate and mo tivate all parents to complete their mandated case plans in accordance with all state regulations to give hope and understanding for parents in need as they pursue their goals.  In addition, to educate and inform individuals of their rights and responsibilities regarding dependency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Services Provided/Benefit to State:

 

 

 

 

 

At the time of  the shelter hearing an advocate is present to inform the parent concerning the first hearing.  This helps relieve the parent of any frustrations or fears upon walking into the court room. Thereafter, A Parent's Advocate provides a one-time education class on the dependency procedure for a $5.00 fee. The main purpose of this class is to give the parent knowledge of the dependency court system on the level they can understand, allowing them to ask questions freely without feeling intimidated.  The parent will learn and come to understand thoroughly what is expected of them during this journey through the dependency system. The result is less fear and frustration for the parent, allowing them to focus on accomplishment of the case plan tasks.

   A weekly support group will follow the initial meeting. The purpose of these meetings is to redirect the parent's focus from any negative issues and to direct their attention to the case plan. This focus allows the parent to see that complying with the case plan is a positive opportunity to enhance their own parenting abilities and their own lives. The support group provides appropriate motivation and encouragement to the parent while they direct their energies toward accomplishing their court-ordered case plan. Parents will be allowed to express their fears and frustration while learning problem solving skillls. The group setting will also allow the parents to learn from one another's experiences.

A Parent's Advocate also aides in the process of referrals for services the parents are in need of in order to have their chidren safely returned to their care. This enables services to be delivered to the parent in a more timely manner. One-on-one education and support will be provided as needed. However,A Parent's Advocate will not advocate those parents who have been crimnally charged with child abuse.

A Parent's Advocate promotes all parties invovled concerning the dependency of a child to truly work in the best interest of the child. The goal of the Parent's Advocate is to promote peace between all parties involved easing any tension between parent/attorney, parent/child protective services and parent/case-worker. This service provides an additional contact person for the parent. Therefore, aiding in all processes concerning the dependency procedure in a non-adversarial manner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Measurable Outcome Anticipated:

 

 

 

 

 

1. Parents/care-giver receive knowledge about the dependancy court system.

2. 100 parents/care-givers complete their case plans within 6 months.

3. Of those parents/care-givers who completed their case plans 75% will not be referred to DCF for abuse/neglect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount requested from the State for this project this year:

$50,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total cost of the project:

$50,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Request has been made to fund:

Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?

 

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was this project previously funded by the State?

 

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is future-year funding likely to be requested?

 

Unknown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?

 

No

 

Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is there a documented need for this project?

 

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?

Yes

 

 

Hearing Body:

Manatee County Legislative Delegation

 

Meeting Date:

10/29/1999