Partnering Partnering Senior Corps ProgramsSenior Corps Programs

withwithProgramsPrograms

that MENTORthat MENTOR

CHILDREN OF CHILDREN OF PRISONERSPRISONERS

CNCS Strategic Initiative CNCS Strategic Initiative HighlightsHighlights

• Harnessing Baby Boomers’ ExperienceHarnessing Baby Boomers’ Experience– Baby Boomers are a highly talented, highly Baby Boomers are a highly talented, highly

motivated group that could drive solutions to motivated group that could drive solutions to some of our most intractable social problemssome of our most intractable social problems

• Ensuring a Brighter Future for All of Ensuring a Brighter Future for All of America’s YouthAmerica’s Youth– Youth who grow up in severely distressed Youth who grow up in severely distressed

communities need support from caring adultscommunities need support from caring adults

CNCS Targets for 2010CNCS Targets for 2010

• Harnessing Baby Boomers’ ExperienceHarnessing Baby Boomers’ Experience– Engage 500,000 Baby Boomers in Engage 500,000 Baby Boomers in

Corporation-sponsored national service Corporation-sponsored national service programs as participants and recruited programs as participants and recruited volunteersvolunteers

• Ensuring a Brighter Future for All of Ensuring a Brighter Future for All of America’s YouthAmerica’s Youth– Provide mentoring and other support and Provide mentoring and other support and

services to 100,000 children of prisonersservices to 100,000 children of prisoners

Connecting with Baby Connecting with Baby BoomersBoomers

• Where are the Baby Boomers?Where are the Baby Boomers?– Faith-based organizationsFaith-based organizations– Community-based organizationsCommunity-based organizations

• How can Baby Boomers help?How can Baby Boomers help?– Volunteer as mentors for children with Volunteer as mentors for children with

incarcerated parentsincarcerated parents

WORKSHOP GOALSWORKSHOP GOALS

• Learn how to fulfill two strategic Learn how to fulfill two strategic initiatives through partnerships with initiatives through partnerships with programs that mentor children of programs that mentor children of incarcerated parentsincarcerated parents

– Harness Baby Boomers’ Experience by Harness Baby Boomers’ Experience by recruiting them to mentor childrenrecruiting them to mentor children

– Ensure a Brighter Future for All of Ensure a Brighter Future for All of America’s Youth by providing America’s Youth by providing disadvantaged youth with mentorsdisadvantaged youth with mentors

WORKSHOP GOALSWORKSHOP GOALSCont’dCont’d

• Identify programs in your Identify programs in your community that mentor children of community that mentor children of prisonersprisoners

• Find partners that deliver high Find partners that deliver high quality servicesquality services

• Coordinate roles and Coordinate roles and responsibilities with the mentoring responsibilities with the mentoring programs and station staff around programs and station staff around volunteer screening training and volunteer screening training and supervisionsupervision

Introducing AmachiIntroducing Amachi• Founded September 2000Founded September 2000• Meaning of Amachi:Meaning of Amachi:

– ““Who knows but what God has brought Who knows but what God has brought us through this child.” (Nigerian Ibo)us through this child.” (Nigerian Ibo)

– ““To carry more than two children on To carry more than two children on your back.” (Alaskan Yupic)your back.” (Alaskan Yupic)

The Amachi ModelThe Amachi Model• Is faith based and rooted in a partnership Is faith based and rooted in a partnership

between a reputable, well-established, secular between a reputable, well-established, secular non-profit agency or faith based non-profit and non-profit agency or faith based non-profit and local faith organizationslocal faith organizations

• Is based on the Big Brothers Big Sisters model Is based on the Big Brothers Big Sisters model of one-on-one community-based mentoring of one-on-one community-based mentoring

• Is performance based and has a strong Is performance based and has a strong monitoring component to ensure quality monitoring component to ensure quality controlcontrol

• Is research-basedIs research-based

Amachi Models Across The Amachi Models Across The CountryCountry

116 Amachi modeled 116 Amachi modeled agenciesagencies

– 36 states and 36 states and Washington D.C.Washington D.C.

– 93 cities93 cities

Children of PrisonersChildren of Prisoners• More than 2 million children have More than 2 million children have

an incarcerated parent, from an incarcerated parent, from 500,000 children in 1991. 500,000 children in 1991. “Incarcerated “Incarcerated Parents and Their Children”, Parents and Their Children”, Bureau of Justice Statistics Bureau of Justice Statistics BulletinBulletin. (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, . (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, August 2000)August 2000)

• On any give day 7.3 million On any give day 7.3 million children have a parent in prison children have a parent in prison or under state or federal or under state or federal supervision. supervision. BureauBureau of Justiceof Justice StatisticsStatistics (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2003)(Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2003)

Children of Prisoners:Children of Prisoners: The Facts The Facts

• Up to 10% of the children of Up to 10% of the children of prisoners are in a foster home prisoners are in a foster home or institution. (BJS, 1992)or institution. (BJS, 1992)

• 90% of children with an 90% of children with an incarcerated father live with incarcerated father live with their mothers. (BJS, 2000)their mothers. (BJS, 2000)

• 50% of children with an 50% of children with an incarcerated mother live with incarcerated mother live with their grandmothers. (BJS, their grandmothers. (BJS, 2000)2000)

Identifying programs in Identifying programs in your communityyour community

• Know your role in and value to the Know your role in and value to the program and partnerprogram and partner

• Know key players who can help you Know key players who can help you make the right connectionsmake the right connections

Know your role in and value Know your role in and value to the program and partnerto the program and partner • Seniors are often cornerstones of community

organizations that serve vulnerable children and families.

• As a stable, mature group of volunteers, Senior Corps volunteers can serve as advocates, nurturers, and role models for children who need stability and consistency.

• Seniors often have more flexibility, time and attention available.

• Removed a generation from the parents and professionals involved with children of incarcerated parents, elder mentors can give the “concern without conditions” children often feel in the presence of grandparents.

Ideas for Identifying Ideas for Identifying Programs in Your AreaPrograms in Your Area

1.1. Review example programs given in this Review example programs given in this workshopworkshop

2.2. Find partners that deliver high quality Find partners that deliver high quality servicesservices

3.3. Coordinate roles and responsibilities with Coordinate roles and responsibilities with the mentoring program and station staff the mentoring program and station staff around volunteer screening, training and around volunteer screening, training and supervisionsupervision

4.4. Assess the volunteer fit: Find the right Assess the volunteer fit: Find the right Senior Corps volunteers to work with the Senior Corps volunteers to work with the children of incarcerated parents.children of incarcerated parents.

Key Partners In the Mentoring Key Partners In the Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents Children of Incarcerated Parents

InitiativeInitiative• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Mentoring Children U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Mentoring Children

of Incarcerated Parents Initiativeof Incarcerated Parents Initiative.. This federal effort has established or expanded hundreds of local-level mentoring This federal effort has established or expanded hundreds of local-level mentoring

programs around the country to focus on children of incarcerated parents. Visit the programs around the country to focus on children of incarcerated parents. Visit the website: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fbci/progs/fbci_mcp.htmlwebsite: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fbci/progs/fbci_mcp.html

• Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) programsBig Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) programs.. Widely recognized as the nation’s most established and widespread mentoring Widely recognized as the nation’s most established and widespread mentoring

program, Big Brothers Big Sisters is also a key partner in the Amachi project, which program, Big Brothers Big Sisters is also a key partner in the Amachi project, which uses faith-based volunteer settings as the vehicle for mentoring children of uses faith-based volunteer settings as the vehicle for mentoring children of incarceratedincarcerated

parents. Visit the website: www.bbbsa.orgparents. Visit the website: www.bbbsa.org• Collaborations between Senior Corps and AmeriCorps *VISTACollaborations between Senior Corps and AmeriCorps *VISTA.. Senior Corps is collaborating closely with AmeriCorps *VISTA to assist programs Senior Corps is collaborating closely with AmeriCorps *VISTA to assist programs

that mentor children of incarcerated parents. AmeriCorps*VISTA members build that mentor children of incarcerated parents. AmeriCorps*VISTA members build capacity and generate community volunteers to support the effort, and Senior capacity and generate community volunteers to support the effort, and Senior volunteers provide a base of mentors. Download a summary of how Senior Corps volunteers provide a base of mentors. Download a summary of how Senior Corps grantees have responded to the President's Mentoring Initiative at: grantees have responded to the President's Mentoring Initiative at: www.nationalserviceresources.org/initiatives/mentoring_children_of_prisoners/www.nationalserviceresources.org/initiatives/mentoring_children_of_prisoners/index.phpindex.php

• Statewide and Local Mentoring PartnershipsStatewide and Local Mentoring Partnerships.. These umbrella organizations currently organize and coordinate local mentoring These umbrella organizations currently organize and coordinate local mentoring

efforts in 23 states and 15 urban communities around the country. They are a good efforts in 23 states and 15 urban communities around the country. They are a good place to find out which programs may be serving children of incarcerated parents in place to find out which programs may be serving children of incarcerated parents in your community. For partnerships in your area, check: your community. For partnerships in your area, check: www.mentoring.org/state_partnerships/state_local_profiles.adp www.mentoring.org/state_partnerships/state_local_profiles.adp

Potential Partners in Your Potential Partners in Your Area:Area: • SchoolsSchools

Though most schools do not maintain data on which children have incarcerated Though most schools do not maintain data on which children have incarcerated parents, the children themselves (or their caregivers) often alert teachers or other parents, the children themselves (or their caregivers) often alert teachers or other school staff. Foster Grandparent Programs, especially, may be in a good position to school staff. Foster Grandparent Programs, especially, may be in a good position to work with partner schools on referrals and other support.work with partner schools on referrals and other support.

• Faith organizations and congregationsFaith organizations and congregations Ask about those with a history of prison outreach and ministry. Many of these Ask about those with a history of prison outreach and ministry. Many of these

programs are expanding to mentor children of incarcerated parents.programs are expanding to mentor children of incarcerated parents.

• Local youth mentoring agenciesLocal youth mentoring agencies Grassroots mentoring efforts and established youth mentoring programs are Grassroots mentoring efforts and established youth mentoring programs are

receiving grants to mentor children of incarcerated parents. Check receiving grants to mentor children of incarcerated parents. Check State and Local State and Local Partnerships Partnerships in the appendix.in the appendix.

• State, county, and municipal correctional systemsState, county, and municipal correctional systems These public entities help network programs that serve families with an incarcerated These public entities help network programs that serve families with an incarcerated

parent. They are a valuable source of available supports in local areas. Check the parent. They are a valuable source of available supports in local areas. Check the Government Government pages in your local phone book for contacts.pages in your local phone book for contacts.

• Family court and foster care systemsFamily court and foster care systems. . Many children of incarcerated parents live in foster care or other care giving Many children of incarcerated parents live in foster care or other care giving

situations. Social workers andsituations. Social workers and other individuals, such as Court Appointed Special Advocates, make referrals to these other individuals, such as Court Appointed Special Advocates, make referrals to these

programs. As a result, they will often know if there is a program in your area. See programs. As a result, they will often know if there is a program in your area. See Government Government pages in your local phone book for contact information.pages in your local phone book for contact information.

WHAT MAKES PARTNERSHIPS WHAT MAKES PARTNERSHIPS WORK?WORK?

1. Favorable climate1. Favorable climateHaving the support of persons who control resources and the general public for collaborative processes, Having the support of persons who control resources and the general public for collaborative processes,

viewing them as viewing them as reliable and competent means of achieving community goals.reliable and competent means of achieving community goals.2. Ability to compromise2. Ability to compromise

Members of the collaborative share understanding and respect for each others (methods of operation, Members of the collaborative share understanding and respect for each others (methods of operation, preferences, cultural preferences, cultural

norms and values, etc.) and believe involvement in the group to be beneficial. Thus, all parties are norms and values, etc.) and believe involvement in the group to be beneficial. Thus, all parties are motivated to compromise onmotivated to compromise on

decisions, putting the greater good ahead of the agenda of any single participating organization.decisions, putting the greater good ahead of the agenda of any single participating organization.3. Parties share a stake in the process and outcome3. Parties share a stake in the process and outcome

Members of the collaborative take ownership of both the group procedures and its outcomes.Members of the collaborative take ownership of both the group procedures and its outcomes.4. Balanced participation4. Balanced participation

Every level within each partner organization has at least some representation and ongoing involvement in Every level within each partner organization has at least some representation and ongoing involvement in the collaborative the collaborative

initiatives.initiatives. 5. Flexibility5. Flexibility Members of the group remain open to adaptations of its organizational processes and means of Members of the group remain open to adaptations of its organizational processes and means of

accomplishing its work.accomplishing its work.6. Communication, Communication, Communication6. Communication, Communication, Communication

By whatever means possible, productive communication is encouraged – in scheduled meetings, through By whatever means possible, productive communication is encouraged – in scheduled meetings, through updates, by open updates, by open

discussion, by establishing of personal connections outside of the formal channels. discussion, by establishing of personal connections outside of the formal channels. 7. Mutual goals and objectives7. Mutual goals and objectives

Goals and objectives are realistic and clear to all partners.Goals and objectives are realistic and clear to all partners.8. Shared vision8. Shared vision

Partners agree upon their mission, goals, approaches, strategies either at the outset or as the collaborative Partners agree upon their mission, goals, approaches, strategies either at the outset or as the collaborative develops.develops.

9. Sufficient funds, staff, material and time9. Sufficient funds, staff, material and time An adequate financial base, staff and materials are needed to support operations. Also, the group needs a An adequate financial base, staff and materials are needed to support operations. Also, the group needs a

realistic estimate of realistic estimate of time and efficient time management for nurturing the collaboration and achieving goals.time and efficient time management for nurturing the collaboration and achieving goals.

10. Skilled leadership10. Skilled leadership The respect of the collaborative partners is granted to the individual who seems capable of organizational The respect of the collaborative partners is granted to the individual who seems capable of organizational

and interpersonal and interpersonal skills in addition to fairness in moving the process along toward mutual goals.skills in addition to fairness in moving the process along toward mutual goals.

Then WHAT?????Then WHAT?????

Once you’ve determined who is doing what in your area, assess whether a particular program is a good fit with the goals of Senior Corps and your volunteers.

Refining the PartnershipRefining the Partnership

Once you have identified the program and Once you have identified the program and determined the fit, next you’ll want to: determined the fit, next you’ll want to:

• Flush-out specificsFlush-out specifics• Clarify roles and responsibilities Clarify roles and responsibilities

between you as a project sponsor and between you as a project sponsor and the mentor program.the mentor program.

• Create a Memorandum of Create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that is formalized Understanding (MOU) that is formalized with the volunteer station with the volunteer station