Family Partnership Program
Questions
and Answers
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GENERAL QUESTIONS |
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Who is a Family Partnership Provider? |
| A. | A Family Partnership Provider is a person who shares his/her home with a child who needs support. The Provider is thought of as a surrogate who has special talents in teaching, mentoring, behavioral management and assisting a child to reach their life’s goals. This Family Partnership Provider helps the child to remain healthy and safe, grow emotionally and socially, excel in school, connect with their community, develop and maintain relationships, and when ready transition back to the child’s family’s home. |
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| Q. | How is a match made? |
| A. | Finding the right match is the key to a successful Family Partnership arrangement. Therefore, there are many steps taken to ensure an appropriate match is made. First, there is the interview process where the potential Provider will be asked about their motivation for becoming a Family Partnership Provider, experience working with the special needs population, family dynamics, interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes, community membership etc. Next, a thorough home assessment is completed to make sure the site meets the high standards set by HMEA and The Center for Early Education and Care (EEC). Once completed, this information is used to determine who may be an appropriate match. The third step is an introduction to the child’s team, (Family/Guardian, School Personnel, HMEA supports etc. ). Finally, spending time with the person and getting to know them, this is done through visits to the child home and to the potential Providers home. In order for there to be a successful and smooth transition into Family Partnership Program, the family member/guardian must accept the Provider. |
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| Q. | How long does the placement process usually take? |
| A. | The process is very individualized. The timelines vary in order to ensure that the best match for both the child and provider is made. HMEA will recruit and train potential Providers on a regular basis maintaining an active pool of qualified candidates to draw upon for placements |
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What happens if this arrangement doesn’t work out? |
| A. | If, for whatever reason, a Family Partnership arrangement doesn’t work out HMEA will continue to provide the highest quality of residential supports for that child. We will strive to assist the child through the transition with as little disruption to their life as possible. HMEA will place the child with a professional respite provider until the appropriate match is made. |
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FAMILY QUESTIONS |
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Would someone visit my child in the Provider’s home? |
| A. | Yes. Before the child moves in, a home assessment is conducted to ensure the environment is safe and conducive to the individual needs of the child. After the child moves in to the home, an HMEA representative would plan a visit to the home at least twice a month to provide updates and any needed supports. In addition the agency clinician will visit the home monthly and more often if needed. |
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How will HMEA ensure that my child will be protected in this living arrangement? |
| A. | In order to become a Family Partnership Provider ALL potential providers are thoroughly screened by HMEA. A CORI check is conducted and references are thoroughly investigated. HMEA keeps all lines of communication open with all people involved in the child’s life, including schools, doctors, parents of the child etc. In addition to planned home visits HMEA may reserve the right to also monitor the placement through unplanned home visits. |
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Will I be able to speak/see my child on a regular basis? |
| A. | Parents can speak to and see their child whenever they would like. It is recommended that you speak to the Family Partnership Provider to arrange visits. This will allow consistency and not disrupt the child’s routine. |
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Do I need to pay for my child’s personal expenses? |
| A. | Yes. The Family Partnership Provider’s stipend pays for food and basic necessities. Parents/Guardians are expected to provide appropriate clothing, personal items when needed and personal spending money for when the child participates in community activities. Providers will be required to document how your child’s money is being spent. |
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Do I lose guardianship of my child while in the Family Partnership Program? |
| A. | No. Parents do not lose guardianship and are expected to continue to be fully informed and involved in school and medical decisions for their child. Parents are expected to attend any school meetings and/or medical appointments with your child’s Family Partnership Provider. |
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| Q. | How do I get my child referred to the Family Partnership Program? |
| A. | All referrals made for Family Partnership are generated by your local school district. If you need assistance with getting the referral process started, HMEA would be happy to help you.. |
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PROVIDER QUESTIONS |
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Do I need to have previous experience to be a Provider? |
| A. | Yes. While an extensive orientation has been put in place it is important that potential Family Partnership Providers have experience working with children and/or people who have special needs. |
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What training will I (Provider) receive? |
| A. | Family Partnership Providers are required to obtain First Aid, CPR and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (CPI) certification and to keep those certifications current. Completion of HMEA’s Family Partnership Orientation and participation in quarterly Family Partnership Provider forums are also mandatory. Additional training, specific to the child being supported, may also be required. Family Partnership Providers are encouraged to take advantage of the many trainings offered through HMEA’s Training Department. |
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How do I receive compensation? |
| A. | Providers receive a monthly stipend on or about the first day of every month. Stipends are developed based on the child’s needs. Out of the stipend, providers should expect to provide for the child’s basic needs such as food and shelter. Also included in the stipend are funds to be used to pay for respite services. |
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Who do respite provider’s work for? |
| A. | All respite providers work directly for the Family Partnership Provider. However, all respite providers utilized do require prior approval from HMEA administration and must meet HMEA’s screening and training standards. |
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Can I work another job? |
| A. | Yes, however, being a Family Partnership Provider is a twenty-four hour a day responsibility and you must be able to provide the necessary supports to the child living with you. This includes transportation to and from school (if not provided by district), attending appointments as needed and being available in the event of illness or emergency, and school days off and vacations. |
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How long of a commitment must I make? |
| A. | Becoming a Family Partnership Provider is a tremendous commitment. Supporting a child with special needs in your home will not only have a significant impact on your life, it will have a considerable effect in the life of the child you are supporting. Therefore, HMEA ask that you consider a commitment of at least one year with the understanding that a successful placement will last for many years. It has been our experience that most of the adjustments for the Provider and the child will happen in the first year. It is in that first year that relationships are developed and progress for the child becomes evident. Anyone who is interested in becoming a Family Partnership Provider must be prepared for a commitment that could last for many years. |
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How often would someone visit my home? |
| A. | After the child moves in to the home an HMEA representative and clinician would plan a visit to the home. The coordinator would visit at a minimum two times per month and the clinician would visit at a minimum of one time per month. HMEA is continually assessing and providing feedback to further enhance the successful placement of the child with the provider. HMEA reserves the right to conduct unscheduled home visits as well. |
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How do I become a Provider? |
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The first step to becoming a provider is to complete and submit a Family Partnership Provider information form. Once it is received, HMEA will contact you to arrange an initial interview. During the initial interview the qualification process will be reviewed in its entirety. |
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What are the qualifications to be a Provider? |
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REACH OUT FOR INDEPENDENCE
Director of Shared Living: David Placido