1. Minnesota Circle of Parents® Regional Director Roxy Foster

2. 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?

3.   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.)

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Contact Information
Minnesota Communities Caring for Children
709 University Ave. St. 234
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Office
Toll Free
Presenter:
Roxy Foster, Director of Prevention Initiatives, Central and Northeast MN
9310 Eider Lane
Monticello, MN 55632