Minnesota Circle of Parents® Regional Director Roxy Foster

establishing a Circle of Parents® Chapter? Agency Partners Many support group chapters are the result of a collaboration between Circle of Parents® and another agency. Through this partnership, an agency serving families agrees to sponsor the support group as part of its ongoing operation.   The agency partner provides: a place for the parents and children to meet effective support groups utilizing the “Measures of Quality” quality assurance tool volunteers or release-time staff to facilitate the parent’s group and lead the children’s program snacks and materials for the children’s program a main contact within the sponsoring agency to provide focus and leadership for the partnership and to interact with Circle of Parents® staff plan for special events (i.e., Child Abuse Prevention Month activities in April, providing materials to local resource fairs, etc.) establishing a Circle of Parents® Chapter?

  Community Partners Citizens start a grassroots community movement to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing the momentum needed to start a group. They form an advisory team which provides the leadership, guidance, and community resources to ensure the health and longevity of a chapter. The Advisory Team meets monthly to: maintain the Circle of Parents® “Measures of Quality” quality assurance tool ensure that qualified group facilitators and children’s program volunteers are recruited, attend training, and are recognized for their volunteer activities establish a budget and fundraising plan so the group has the resources (materials, snacks, etc.) they need to be successful network in the community to create parent referral sources for the group plan for special events (i.e., Child Abuse Prevention Month activities in April, providing materials to local resource fairs, etc.)

Circle of Parents® Concurrent Children’s Program   Goals of Circle of Parents® Children’s Program: Provide a safe and supportive environment for children Provide opportunities for children to develop self- esteem and social skills Support children in learning safe and healthy ways to handle feelings Model effective problem-solving and conflict resolution techniques Support children and parents to establish trust, respect, and positive interactions with each other Circle of Parents® Concurrent Children’s Program

Chapter Assistance CHAPTER EVALUATION/SUPPORT STAFF INITIATED CONTACT STATEWIDE NETWORK OF SUPPORT Initial start-up charter paper work and signatures. Schedule trainings to be completed before first meeting. Define what kind of chapter they would like to become and how they will be accountable Connect with other Minnesota Communities Caring for Children Circle of Parents chapters through quarterly calls and e-blasts Electronic Data Collection Annual Re-charter Evaluation of each training Monthly check-in for Chapter support Annual re-charter in insure quality indicators are meet Connection to statewide parent/caregiver network Access to staff for brainstorming, problem solving, encouragement, emotional support, debriefing, and special recognition opportunities Technical Assistance as needed Opportunities for networking meetings via phone, go-to-meeting, videoconference, regional and statewide events

Support services S Outreach Resources Administrative Brochures, bookmarks, and posters Prevention materials, brochures, and publications Fiscal Services Liability insurance File 1099 tax forms   Assistance in designing customized materials Chapter Operations, Children’s Program and Facilitations Skills Manual (for Circle Parents) Volunteer Accident Insurance MCCC/PCAMN promotions Participation in statewide data collection and outcomes based on best practice and promising practice Annual Background Check for all Chapter Volunteers

As Available, training menu varies, in some cases fees may apply Circle of Parents Trainings-facilitator and children’s program Circle of Parents Advisory Team Training Parent/Caregiver Café, Healing Café, Minnesota Café Trauma Informed Care- ACE Interface Leadership training; Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI), Strategic Sharing Webinars and Conferences

PARENT/CAREGIVER/COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES Supporting parents to become Circle of Parents® group leaders and co-facilitators Opportunities to apply for membership to the statewide Parent Leadership for Child Safety and Permanency Team Co-learning opportunities for parents, caregivers and community members through education and advocacy

Contact Information Minnesota Communities Caring for Children 709 University Ave. St. 234 Saint Paul, MN 55104 Office 651-523-0099 Toll Free 800-244-5373 www.pcamn.org Presenter: Roxy Foster, Director of Prevention Initiatives, Central and Northeast MN 9310 Eider Lane Monticello, MN 55632 651-442-8914 rfoster@pcamn.org