Senate Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1138 A Parent's Advocate
Requester:	Michele Bradford		Organization:		A Parent's Advocate
Project Title:	A Parent's Advocate		Date Submitted:		01/28/2000 12:36:30 PM
District Member:	John McKay		Service Area:		County
Counties Affected:	Manatee
Recipient:	Manatee Children's Servicces		Contact:		Bill Griffin
	1101 6th Ave. W., Suite 218		Contact Phone:		(941) 727-6349
	Bradenton 34205
Project Description:
It is the mission of this service to educate and motivate all parents to complete the mandated case plans in accordance with all state regulations to give hope and understaning 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 wupon 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 juourney through the dependency system. The reult is less feear and frustration for the parent, allowing them to focus on accomplishment of the case plan tasks. A weekly support group will follow the initial meetin. 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 allosw the parent to see that complying with the case plan is a positive opportunity to enhace their own parenting abilities and their ownn 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 skills. 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 iin order to have their children safely returned to their care. This enables services to be delivered to the parent in a more timely maner. One-on-one education and support will be provided as needed. However, A Parent's Advocate will not advocate those parents who have been criminally charged with child abuse. A Parent's Advocate promotes all parties involved concerning the dependency of a child to truly work in the bes interest of the child. The goal of the Parent's Advocate is to promote peacce 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 dependecy 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?				Unknown
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?				Yes
	Hearing Body:	Manatee Legislative Delegation
	Meeting Date:	09/30/1999