Mentors for Foster and Adoptive Parents
Parenting a foster child or a newly adopted child often produces a level of anxiety or stress which many parents do not expect. Many of the children have come from troubled backgrounds that often create big challenges for the parent. Even if the new parents are “up to the task,” additional support and assistance is often needed and welcome. That’s where our Foster and Adoptive Mentors come in.
Foster and Adoptive Mentors offer support to new families who take on the challenge of fostering or adopting a child in need of a home. Our mentors help to stabilize, overcome isolation, engender hope and provide for the safe transition for the child and his or her new family.
All of our mentors are experienced foster and adoptive parents, who have successfully welcomed children into their homes many, many times. They are there to answer questions, help with the transition issues and needs, listen to frustrations, provide assistance with bonding and attachment, and help with logistical issues such as visitation, court appearances, medical appointments, and respite care.
In addition our mentors have lots of experience in caring for children with special needs, including medically fragile children, children with failure to thrive syndrome, and alcohol and drug exposed children. They will be invaluable resources as they pass on that knowledge and experience.
Our Training and Background
Our mentors collectively have fostered hundreds of children as well as welcomed many of these children permanently into their families. Our mentors are representative of the diversity of Monterey County, both culturally and linguistically.
We select our mentors carefully. Once selected, the mentor candidate attends basic mentor training and specialized training on drug exposed and medically fragile children. Once the mentors complete that training, they regularly attend in-service training focusing on helpful information including best and promising practices.
Referrals to the Foster and Adoptive Mentor program most often come from social workers. The mentor contacts the new mentee and arranges for a time for the first appointment. Hopefully a good relationship is initiated. After that, they get together regularly or speak on the telephone often. Their mentor is there for them.
On the Job 24/7
Our mentors are available when needed. We don’t quit at five o’clock or on weekends. We know that parenting is a round the clock job and that children’s needs can’t wait. Our warm, understanding mentors are ready just to listen or provide guidance as the need arises.
Door to Hope’s Expertise Supports Mentors
Door to Hope has a solid basis of expertise and experience to support Foster and Adoptive Mentors. If mentors need special assistance, we have physicians, psychologists, therapists, case managers, counselors and many other professionals in the field.
Mentorship
