Presented by: Degale Cooper, MSW Director of Family Programs

Presented by: Degale Cooper, MSW

Director of Family Programs

The Mockingbird Society

Founded: 2001. The Mockingbird Society is dedicated to

improving the lives of children, youth and families in the child welfare system by building

a world-class foster care system through collaboration, innovation and advocacy.

The Mockingbird Family Model…

Takes good care of those

who take good care of our children and youth.

The Mockingbird Family Model is:

InnovativeFamily Centered

Relationship-BasedCommunities that Care

Our Priorities• Improved Foster Care

Delivery

• Safety, Stability & Improved Well-Being in Care

• Foster Parent Retention, Recruitment and Improved Satisfaction

Unconditionalcommunity-based careNormalizationContinuity of careActive child protectionStabilization to permanencyCultural relevancyCaregiver support

Mockingbird Family Model Philosophy

Roles and Responsibilities

Host Agency

Hub Home

Satellite Home

The Mockingbird Society

The Host Agency is in charge of replicating the model.

Roles and Responsibilities: Host Agency

Hub &

Satellite

Home

licensing/

supervision

Hub & Satellite Home training & support

Child/youth case

management &

supervision

Roles and Responsibilities of HUB

The Hub Home builds community and manages the day to day operations

Host Agency

Hub Home

Hub Home Responsibilities & Role

• Setting up a constellation

• Respite care – planned and crisis

• Regular contact with satellite homes

• Organizing activities and events

• Re entry point

• Temporary placement in a disruption

• Safer caring for everyone

• Researching or making other resources available

National Foster Parent Retention Rate:

A Moving Target!

42% - 60%

Mockingbird Family Model Retention Rate:

90%

MFM Closes System Gaps

• Caregiver Isolation• Instability in Care• Lost Community of Origin• Sibling & Birth Family Connections• Permanency (Forever Homes)

TEAM MOCKINGBIRDChild Welfare

Systems

Foster Families

Mockingbird Society

Children & Youth

CommunitySupports

Four Fidelity Elements1. Host Agency Maintains the Integrity of the MFM Structure

2. Essential MFM Stakeholder Roles (Host Agency, Hub and Satellite Home) Are Implemented Consistently

3. MFM Stakeholder Responsibilities Are Implemented Effectively

4. Host Agency Ensures that the MFM Hub Home Proscribed Competencies Are Met as Described in Selection Criteria

Host Agency MFM OperationsCommon Host Agency Challenge Areas:

• Identification of HA MFM Champion• MFM Commitment at ALL Agency Levels• Understanding the MFM as a Strategy for

Improving the Delivery of Foster Care

Replication Planning Stages• Stage 1: Considering Adoption of the Model• Stage 2: Committing to Go Forward• Stage 3: Planning for Implementation• Stage 4: Approving the Implementation Plan • Stage 5: Reaching Out to Foster and Kinship

Families• Stage 6: Selecting & Training Hub and

Satellite Home Families

Thank you for your interest!

Degale@mockingbirdsociety.org206.407.2133

Questions?