Abstract

Research has shown peer-to-peer mentorship in child welfare has proven successful in helping parents navigate the system and, ultimately, reunify with their children. An evidence-based framework to guide best practices in mentorship within child welfare can also be applied to peer-to-peer mentorship for foster parents within Treatment Foster Care (TFC) programs. The Iowa Parent Partner Model provides six focus areas of learning for mentors, within these focus areas, the model identifies learning targets for mentors. For the purpose of this research, the Iowa Parent Partner Model was applied to a regional TFC program operating within a large, statewide network. The current state of the mentor program within this statewide TFC program doesn’t include a framework or policy to guide the program. During the course of this project, a needs assessment of current Foster Parent Mentors (FPMs) was undertaken with the goal of utilizing results to support creation of a Foster Parent Mentor Educational Toolkit for new FPMs. Following the creation of this educational toolkit, the statewide TFC organization has committed to restructuring the training that new Foster Parent Mentors receive to reflect the needs stated by veteran mentors. Thematic analysis was performed on surveys received from FPMs (N = 8) in the regional TFC program. Gaps in knowledge were clearly identified. While results showed that FPMs indicated receiving training in the areas of mentoring identified by the Iowa Parent Partner Model, the learning was not consistent with the education targets as outlined by the model. A Foster Parent Mentor Educational Toolkit will be created for the partner region of the TFC program using the input from the results of the needs assessment performed during this project. This toolkit will be piloted within the region with the potential to be used by the organization’s statewide TFC programs.

Author Details

Jennifer Ketarkus, RN, MSN is a Doctoral Candidate in Public Health Policy at Nebraska Methodist College.

Sigma Membership

Tau Sigma

Lead Author Affiliation

Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Other

Research Approach

Qualitative Research

Keywords:

Foster Care, Mentoring, Treatment Foster Care

Advisor

Hall, Lyndsi

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Nebraska Methodist College

Degree Year

2024

Rights Holder

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Review Type

Faculty Approved: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

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