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The Parent Mentor Program

Parental Substance Use is among the most common reasons families become involved in the child welfare system. our Parent Mentors are hired specifically to mentor other parents through their lived experiences. Parent Mentors share a common experience with Child Welfare and recovery from substance use with the parents they work with, and this creates the foundation for meaningful conversations and a trusting relationship that in turn leads to effective engagement in treatment and services.

Parent Mentors can empathize and support parents entering treatment, maintaining sobriety, and reuniting with their children. They are familiar with the many roads to recovery and can support parents through all stages of recovery.

In support of parents, Parent Mentors:

  • accompany parents to court hearings, family decision meetings, and team decision meetings
  • maintain contact with parents during treatment or incarceration
  • introduce parents to 12-step meetings or other recovery-based meetings
  • assist parents with access to community resources
  • guide parents through the stress of parenting in recovery
  • help parents learn to advocate for themselves and their children
  • provide encouragement and support as the parent navigates the child welfare system

In partnership with KEEP, Morrison’s Parent Mentor Program offers parenting support programs for birth families who are or have been involved in Child Welfare.

Parent Mentors sharing their story.

Parent Advocacy

Morrison Parent Mentors strongly believe in the importance of system-wide advocacy and are involved in many local, regional, and state-wide efforts to effectively support the needs of parents and their children. Mentors serve on the Child Welfare Advisory Board, Governor’s Foster Care Advisory Committee, and the Foster America Advisory Board.

Parent Advisory Council

Parent Mentors are involved with The Parent Advisory Council of Oregon which was formed in 2015 to provide valuable insight and guidance to the executive leadership of Oregon’s Department of Human Services Child Welfare on strategies to improve the overall well-being of children and families. The Parent Advisory Council is comprised of parents from Oregon with prior Child Welfare involvement because of substance abuse, resulting in temporary removal of their children. All PAC members have navigated their DHS case and are actively parenting their children. PAC members identify services gaps and advocate for allocation of funding for critical family support services.

PAC members are currently making valuable contributions to their communities advocating for parents entering the Child Welfare System and giving back to those who supported them in their journey to recovery. They bring personal perspectives and insight regarding services they believe parents would participate in and value. They are uniquely qualified to represent the voices of parents navigating the Child Welfare System – understanding the hopelessness and guilt parents feel when faced with challenges of making significant personal change and achieving reunification with their children.

With the support of Morrison Parent Mentors, many local communities have started their own Parent Advisory Council to address specific to that region and form collaborative relationships with local ODHS Leadership.

Parent Support Groups

All of our Parent Mentors Support Groups are virtual and open to any parent in Oregon who is in need of support from other parents in the community.

Parents Mentors Group Locations.

KEEP Parenting Classes

Morrison partners with the KEEP Program to offer support groups for families with children ages 4-12 who are or have been involved with Child Welfare.  KEEP groups typically include 7-10 families who attend 16 weekly 90-minute sessions that focus on practical, research-based parenting techniques.  KEEP facilitators are able to draw from an established protocol manual as well as tailor each session to the specific needs, circumstances, and priorities of participating parents and their children.

Please complete the KEEP Group Referral Form and a member of our team will reach out to you.

Complete the KEEP Group Referral Form

If you are in need of support, call us at (971) 221-5180.


Last year

The number of Parent Mentors in Oregon by 2025

The number of Oregon counties where this program is available

Locations

The Parent Mentor Program provides services in 24 counties in Oregon, including: Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Tillamook, Clatsop, Columbia, Marion, Polk, Yamhill, Lane, Douglas, Curry, Coos, Hood River, Sherman, Wasco, Gilliam, Wheeler, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Baker, Union, and Wallowa.

We maintain physical offices in Multnomah County (Portland), Clackamas County (Milwaukie), Washington County (Beaverton), and Marion County (Salem).

In counties where we do not have a physical location, our staff are community-based and/or are co-located with local partner organizations.

Language Accessibility

Services are provided in English. Services may be available in Spanish or other languages at some locations. Phone or in-person interpreter services can be arranged for most languages.

Referrals

The Parent Mentor Program makes every effort to serve any parent who needs support with parenting and substance abuse recovery. However, eligibility differs based on area and funding contract.

Services are accessible through one of the following:

  • Referral from a DHS Caseworker
  • Referral from a DHS Self Sufficiency Family Coach
  • Self-referrals are available in Clatsop, Multnomah, Clackamas & Washington County

More Information

For information regarding the Parent Mentor Program, current projects, or additional opportunities,  please contact Program Director Kimberly Macklin by phone at (971) 269-9768 or by email.

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Contact

11035 NE Sandy Boulevard
Portland, OR 97220

Main Tel. 503-258-4200

Tax ID: 93-0354176

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Morrison Child & Family Services provides culturally responsive, anti-oppressive mental health and substance use disorder treatment, support, and prevention services to children, youth, and families who are working through the effects of systemic racism, trauma, poverty, abuse, neglect, or other mental health needs. Tax ID: 93-0354176

The Morrison Foundation partners with the community to sustain and expand financial support for Morrison Child and Family Services’ programming. Tax ID: 81-4453786

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