Title: How do parent partner programs instill hope and support prevention and reunification? – Casey Family Programs
Headings: 
How do parent partner programs instill hope and support prevention and reunification?
What are the benefits for parents?
What does the research tell us?
How are parent partner programs structured?
How are parent partner programs funded?
What are some implementation considerations?
What are some examples of parent partner programs?

Content: One of the essential roles of the parent partner is to help birth parents gain awareness of their rights and responsibilities. They advocate for the birth parent and serve as translators, breaking down the bureaucratic requirements into more accessible language. They also help build parents’ confidence to find their voice so that they can self-advocate in their case, as well as continue to advocate for themselves once they are no longer involved with child welfare. Connection to services: Caseworkers are often overburdened with high caseloads and do not have the capacity to follow up with parents to make sure they are engaging in services. Parent partners fill this gap. They form trusting relationships with birth parents, which allows them to check in regularly with parents and make sure they have the resources and information needed to complete their court-ordered services, such as substance abuse treatment, counseling, health care, housing, or rental assistance. Agency culture shift: Parent partners can also use their own experiences to inform agencies about how to engage more authentically with families. They can convey information on how to meaningfully instill family-centered and family-driven philosophy and principles into practice and policies.