New Foster Parent Mentor Program

Established in 1992, the New Foster Parent Mentor Program offers much needed direction and personal support in order to improve foster parent retention rates. Mentors are experienced foster parents who work on developing a relationship with newly licensed foster parents during their first year of service. In that time, new foster parents learn much about accessing services and finding resources. They also benefit from having a foster parent mentor with whom to share their fears, frustrations and joys. Mentors help new foster families address issues ranging from obtaining clothing vouchers to managing children with challenging behaviors. A mentor's ability to empathize and share their own foster care experience is what makes them uniquely effective.

How It Works

Mentor assignments are made on the basis of individual need. Some families benefit by having a mentor from their local community. Others require a mentor with special skills, such as experience with children with special behavioral or health care needs. The type of support provided is flexible and based on need. Some mentors rely on telephone contact, others visit their families, and some plan "get togethers" so more families can meet. A mentor may be in contact with a particular family daily, weekly or monthly depending on the family's situation at any given point in time. Foster parents are free to contact their mentor anytime except the off hours that they specify. Mentors must sign a confidentiality agreement to protect your privacy. (Note: RIFPA Mentors are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect.)

The Key to Success

Mentors are instructed not to intervene on behalf of their families. Rather, they provide them with the resources they need to achieve their own solutions. It is always difficult to learn a new skill, but mentoring empowers new foster families to gain confidence and learn to stand on their own. Our mentors have a combination of years of experience with many foster children and all share the desire and commitment to help other foster families.

Mentoring works because the foster parents involved really care about children. They know how the system works and they understand how difficult it is to care for someone else's children in your home. In 1994, the New Foster Parent Mentor Program expanded services to include a confidential 1-800 Help Line to support foster parents at any time, day or night. A foster parent answers calls and provides information, referrals and a sympathetic ear.

For more information about the New Foster Parent Mentor Program contact:

Leslie Vargas
New Foster Parent Mentor Program Coordinator
401.438.3900

To contact the Rhode Island Foster Parents Help Line, call 401.438.3916 or call the 24 Hour Help Line at 1.800.655.7787