Outreach and Identification: A Webinar for Mentoring Programs

1. Outreach and Identification: A Webinar for Mentoring Programs Tya McGrue, MSW and Venessa Mendenhall Dare Mighty Things The webinar will begin shortly. To access the audio portion of the call, dial 888-808-8526 and enter passcode 591040.

2. Who makes up the Caregiver’s Choice team? MENTOR/National Mentoring PartnershipCaregiver’s Choice Administrator Dare Mighty ThingsCaregiver’s Choice Subcontractor To access the audio portion of the call, dial 888-808-8526 and enter passcode 591040.

3. Outreach and Identification Objectives: • You will be able to ensure that your outreach efforts and marketing tools are tailored to the goal of identifying children and families of the incarcerated. • You will be able to identify community assets you can leverage to reach families impacted by incarceration. We will have Q & A at the end of this webinar. Submit questions by typing into the Q & A box To access the audio portion of the call, dial 888-808-8526 and enter passcode 591040.

4. POLL QUESTION: Is your organization actively recruiting children impacted by incarceration? * Please participate in the poll by answering the above question.

5. “What’s in it for me?” What is your message? • Do you address the concerns of the caregiver? • Mentoring requires very little work on behalf of the parent/caregiver • Mentoring gives the caregiver a well-deserved break! • Caregivers can receive other services from your program To access the audio portion of the call, dial 888-808-8526 and enter passcode 591040.

6. What is your message? Respect and Dignity vs. Shame and Doubt Focus on the value, rather than the need. “Mentoring offers an opportunity for a child to participate in fun activities with another caring adult.“ rather than “Children of incarcerated parents are desperate for positive role models.“ We will have Q & A at the end of this webinar. Submit questions by typing into the Q & A box.

7. What is your message? Culturally Competent and Sensitive • Value diversity • All family systems have unique strengths and challenges • Families have a culture that guides their behavior • Images used in marketing should depict a diverse array of people • Be aware of “what is in your community” We will have Q & A at the end of this webinar. Submit questions by typing into the Q & A box.

8. What is your message? Be realistic! • What is the role of the mentor? • “A mentor is a coach, a friend, and an additional caring adult.” • Rather than: “A mentor is a father figure.” • Benefits of mentoring: • “Mentoring has been shown to increase self-confidence, school attendance, etc.” • Rather than: “Mentoring can save a child from following in the footsteps of his incarcerated parent.” We will have Q & A at the end of this webinar. Submit questions by typing into the Q & A box

9. What is your message? Are you accessible? For example: Celebrations Mentoring Program is open on Tuesdays-Thursdays 9am-3pm and Fridays 9am-1pm. Please call us at the above hours so that we may better serve your children in our mentoring program. For faster service, please email us at celebrate@info.net. Do you offer any additional resources? Need to Get Away? Heartland Mentoring Program provides a monthly Parents Night Out from 5-11pm for all program participants. We provide dinner, games, and a movie. This program is free to all. To sign up call 555-123-5555.

10. POLL QUESTION: Is your mentoring program serving only children of incarcerated parents or all children? * Please participate in the poll by answering the above question.

11. Change Your Intake Form Rather than saying: • Does your child have a parent in state or federal prison? Explain why you ask about incarceration: • We participate in a special program that provides funding to match mentors with children of incarcerated parents. Does your child currently have a parent in state or federal prison?

12. Honesty Policy If your program only services children with incarcerated parents, consider implementing an honesty policy. • Caregivers don’t always tell children the truth. • Children may discover the truth by participating in your program.

13. Your Value Proposition What could you offer a potential partner? • Youth/family referrals • Mobilize your mentors and mentees for volunteer activities • Presentations/trainings on positive youth development, mentoring, incarceration • Partnership on future funding opportunities We will have Q & A at the end of this webinar. Submit questions by typing into the Q & A box.

14. What can you ask of your partners? • Include your brochure in things they give away to caregivers • Change their intake form to ask if clients would like to hear about your program • Invite you to participate in or present at events or meetings • Allow you to put up a poster or display area for your brochures We will have Q & A at the end of this webinar. Submit questions by typing into the Q & A box.

15. Identifying Your Community Assets

16. What is in your community? We are going to identify community programs and services that families seek. TAKE OUT A PIECE OF PAPER - write down any ideas you hear, and any additional ones.

17. Organizations That Serve Families Impacted by Incarceration National Organizations • Prison Ministries (Kairos Outside, Prison Fellowship, Forgiven Ministries) • Prisons • Lutheran Social Services/Catholic Charities (bus trips) • Family Corrections Network • Prison Talk • CURE • National Incarcerated Parents and Family Network • Operation Starting Line • TBN Second Chance Network • Community Based Organizations (4H, Girl Scouts, Boys Scouts)

18. Services that families seek… Local programs • Churches • Local child welfare agencies • Kinship care groups • Food pantries • Health clinics • Hospitals • Local HUD offices, properties • Transportation services • Child care providers • Schools • Laundromats • Barbershops, beauty salons • Banks, check cashing stores • Carwashes • Nail salons • Retail shops • Libraries • Grocery stores, supermarkets • Restaurants • Community centers • Sport leagues • ***Local Residents

19. College Access Programs Zip Code Search Target Populations

20. There is always a portal of entry! Gatekeepers are people in a position of power or influence that could help your organization gain access to a space or group of people (example: pastor). Bridge builders are natural networkers. They can introduce you to those community assets or gatekeepers (example: church members).

21. Wrap-up • Remember the following: • Keep in mind the “What’s in it for me?” mindset for the child and caregiver as you conduct marketing, outreach, or identify families for your programs; • Identify and use your existing community resources; and • Initiate your outreach activities and track progress.

22. Any Questions?Please type them in the Question & Answer Box

23. Tya McGrue, MSWtmm@daremightythings.com Venessa Mendenhallvhm@daremightythings.com877-333-2464