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- Kinship Partners can give your child the opportunity to
spend time with a positive adult role model that will spend 2-3
hours per week for at least one year. They will participate in
activities that they both enjoy, such as fishing, baking,
hiking, biking or just hanging out. The emphasis is to spend
time and not spend money.
- The parent and child will each complete a brief application
for Kinship services. A staff person will contact you once your
application is received. They will set up a time to visit with
you and your child. This is an opportunity for Kinship staff to
get to know you and your child to insure the best possible
match.
- Your child may be placed on a waiting list. In some
instances it takes time to find the right mentor for your child.
Unmatched kids are encouraged to participate in all Kinship
activities.
- Our volunteers go through a thorough screening process which
includes: application, BCA (Bureau of Criminal Apprehension)
background checks, 3 references, interview, and on-going
training and follow-up.
- Once a match for your child is found, you are given a
summary of the potential volunteer(s). If it is felt this would
be a good match for your child, a match visit would be scheduled
for you and your child to meet the potential mentor, along with
the Kinship Partners coordinator. If you are comfortable with
the person, the match is made and the first visit with your
child and their new mentor is set.
- Volunteers and families are provided with a Kinship Partners
Coordinator who is assigned to their match to provide support
and help with any situations that may arise.
- Parent and child commitment is important! The parent must
agree to support the child in their match by having the child
ready for the match get-togethers, be present when the child is
picked up and brought home, and communicate with both the mentor
and with the Kinship Partners coordinator. Your child must be
willing to accept this mentor as his/her new friend.
- Kinship Partners serves children in Crow Wing and southern
Cass counties. This includes the following communities:
Brainerd/Baxter, Crosby, Ironton, Deerwood, Emily, Pillager,
Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Crosslake, Pine River, Backus, Garrison, and Fort Ripley.
- If you would like your child to be a part of the Kinship
Partners Program, download and fill out the following forms. Child
Information Form and
Parent Information Form.
(These are pdf files and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to
view the files.)
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