Parent Partner Program Navigator: Designing and Implementing Parent Partner Programs in Child Welfare

Child welfare agencies are turning to parent partner programs as a powerful approach to family engagement and empowerment. Through these programs, parents with experience in child welfare provide mentoring and support to other parents who are entering the system.

The Parent Partner Program Navigator guides child welfare administrators, staff, and family leaders through key components of designing and implementing successful parent partner programs. Each of the four domain areas includes multiple components with background information, guidance, and links to related resources.

The full Parent Partner Program Navigator can be used to design, implement, and sustain a successful parent partner program. In addition, the companion Parent Partner Program Manual offers language and samples for use in developing a detailed operations guide.

Domain 1: Assessing Needs, Readiness, and Capacity
Start building your parent partner program by conducting a readiness assessment, identifying capacity building needs, and developing a theory of change. Domain 1 includes the following components:

• Component 1: Focusing on the Needs of Families and the Power of Partnerships
• Component 2: Assessing Readiness
• Component 3: Building Capacity to Partner
• Component 4: Creating a Theory of Change

Domain 2: Program Design
Form a design team, select a program model, and begin shaping the program infrastructure to support effective peer-to-peer support. Domain 2 includes the following components:

• Component 5: Forming a Design Team
• Component 6: Selecting a Parent Partner Program Model
• Component 7: Recruiting and Selecting Parent Partners
• Component 8: Developing and Communicating Clear Roles and Responsibilities
• Component 9: Training Parent Partners
• Component 10: Facilitating the Peer-to-Peer Support Process
• Component 11: Promoting Cultural Responsiveness
• Component 12: Advancing Peer-to-Peer Support Among Fathers

Domain 3: Program Management
Plan key aspects of program management — from developing policies and procedures and providing supervision to evaluating outcomes and planning for sustainability. Domain 3 includes the following components:

• Component 13: Establishing Program Leadership and Oversight
• Component 14: Developing Policies and Procedures
• Component 15: Supervising, Coaching, and Supporting Parent Partners
• Component 16: Funding the Program
• Component 17: Providing Compensation for Parent Partners
• Component 18: Building Evidence Through Evaluation
• Component 19: Promoting Sustainability

Domain 4: Engagement and Partnerships
Explore how engagement and partnerships can strengthen a parent partner program. Domain 4 includes the following components:

• Component 20: Transforming the System Through Adaptive Leadership and Parent Leadership
• Component 21: Sharing Across Parent Partner Programs
• Component 22: Engaging Community Partners
• Component 23: Partnering to Develop Legislation
• Component 24: Strategic Sharing and Messaging

Tools and Resources

Explore the consolidated list of the tools, publications, sample program materials, and other resources presented throughout the Navigator to find information that meets your specific needs.