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 and enter passcode

Who makes up the Caregiver’s Choice team? MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership Caregiver’s Choice Administrator Dare Mighty Things Caregiver’s Choice Subcontractor To access the audio portion of the call, dial and enter passcode

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. To access the audio portion of the call, dial and enter passcode We will have Q & A at the end of this webinar. Submit questions by typing into the Q & A box

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

What is your message? “ What’s in it for me?” To access the audio portion of the call, dial and enter passcode 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

Respect and Dignity vs. Shame and Doubt What is your message? 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.

Culturally Competent and Sensitive What is your message? 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.

Be realistic! What is your message? 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

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 us at 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 What is your message?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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. What can you ask of your partners?

Identifying Your Community Assets

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.

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)

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

Target Populations Zip Code Search College Access Programs

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).

Wrap-up Remember the following: 1.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; 2.Identify and use your existing community resources; and 3.Initiate your outreach activities and track progress.

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

Tya McGrue, MSW Venessa Mendenhall