AFKA PROVINCIAL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
The AFKA Provincial Mentorship Program believes in foster and kinship caregivers. Through collaboration, training, mentoring and non-threatening support, families who care for children will feel empowered and able to successfully self-advocate. In a safe environment, foster and kinship caregivers will be supported to develop confidence, motivation and additional skills as caregivers. It is through this positive self-growth that we, as individuals, can have a positive impact on the lives of others.
We are offering this program to all regions throughout Alberta, with the exception of the Calgary Region, where the Calgary and District Foster Parents Association offers a regional Mentorship Program; caregivers/support workers within this region should contact Nancy Clayden at nancy@fostercalgary.com for more information.
SUPPORT OPTIONS
- LONG-TERM SUPPORT
- Designed for new foster and kinship caregivers in Alberta; although, can be accessed by other caregivers, as requested.
- Provide consistent, one-year support with a designated mentor
- New foster and kinship caregivers will be matched with an approved mentor within their own program and region
- SHORT-TERM SUPPORT
- For all foster and kinship caregivers in Alberta
- Foster and kinship caregivers will be temporarily matched with an approved mentor within their own program and region
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Provide temporary support with a designated mentor as situations arise
Program Application Process
MENTEE:
- Foster or kinship caregivers who apply directly to the program will be matched with a mentor in confidence; a referral from the caregiver’s Foster/Kinship Care Support Worker is helpful in learning more about how we can best support the applicant.
MENTOR:
- Foster/Kinship caregivers wanting to provide support to other caregivers, and match the criteria as outlined above, can submit a Mentor Application Form directly to the program.
- Mentor Applications are reviewed by Provincial Mentorship Program staff and go through an approval process with the support of the potential mentor’s Foster/Kinship Care Support Worker
- If a Mentor Application is not supported by the potential mentor’s Foster/Kinship Care Support Worker, recommendations are given for areas that need improvement in order to support the application in the future. Applications will be revisited upon request from the potential Mentor.
Referral Process
- Foster/Kinship Care Support Workers suggest referral forms to potential mentor and mentee candidates who fulfill the necessary qualifications
- If the potential mentor or mentee is interested, a referral can be submitted
- Mentor referral forms serve to assess a mentor’s background, skills, and experiences
- Mentee referral forms allow a mentee to request further guidance in a range of areas that an experienced mentor typically encounters
- Referrals are submitted directly to the Provincial Mentorship Program by the Foster/Kinship Care Support Worker
