Parent Partner Programs instill hope and support prevention and reunification.

Research on Parent Partner Programs shows a higher rate of reuinification, lower rates of reentry, and increased participation in services and court hearings for families that participate in these programs.

Parents say that having a Parent Partner gave them hope and encouragement to believe they could successfully reunify their family.

NorthCare’s Parent Partner Program

Parents in Oklahoma County with children in foster care can be paired with a mentor (Parent Partner) through NorthCare who has personally navigated the OKDHS Child Welfare system with their own family. Parent Partners support parents in reaching the goal of children returning to their biological home in a timely manner when it is safe. They inspire hope and serve as a successful role model for others. Parent Partners focus their time with parents, promoting parent engagement in services, attending meaningful family time, and completing court requirements. They walk alongside parents as they navigate the child welfare system and processes that can often feel overwhelming, intimidating, and hopeless.

Northcare Parent Partner Referral Form
(Court Partners Only)
When NorthCare’s Parent Partner entered the case of a mother and father, they were struggling to understand the steps they needed to take for reunification to happen with their daughter. The mother and father were diagnosed with learning disabilities and often felt overwhelmed and confused by the OKDHS and court process and expectations. The Parent Partner supported the parents each week through phone calls, sessions in their home and transportation to services. They worked together to secure Social Security benefits for the mother’s disabilities, US Citizenship for the father, and new stable housing for their family. The Parent Partner assisted the parents to prepare for their meetings with the DHS nurse by helping them write down their questions and concerns. The Parent Partner also attended several meetings with the nurse and family to support the parents in understanding the information being presented. The parents worked diligently with a DHS nurse to understand their daughter’s health needs. As the family moved closer to their daughter returning home, the Parent Partner rode alongside the mother on various bus routes to help her learn to navigate the OKC bus system so she would feel confident and comfortable taking her daughter to daycare and medical appointments as needed. Today the family has been successfully reunified with their daughter for over 6 months.

NorthCare’s Parent Partner Support Group is led by a Parent Partner to support parents through their journey with Oklahoma Human Services. Parents will talk about things experienced by parents in their OKDHS journey and share support and encouragement with one another. Parents with an open OKDHS case can join virtually for free. Parents do not have to be a NorthCare consumer to attend.

NorthCare Parent Support Group

Parents can sign up to attend virtually by following this QR Code. Parents do not have to be a NorthCare consumer to attend.