For DCBS Staff
Learn how the Foster and Adoptive Parent Training and Support Network can help resource parents with whom you work.
"The Network" was designed to provide confidential peer support to state approved foster and adoptive parents. Our number one goal is to be available to resource parents who are in crisis. Working as parents to abused and neglected children is difficult by nature. Crises can range from a death in the family or a house fire to trouble with school or needing to find a dentist that takes a medical card. As you work with resource parents in this region please feel free to refer them to The Network when they may need a little extra support. Parents can contact us directly via email at
willasuggs@purchaseresourceparentnetwork.org or can call toll free 1-888-266-4973. You may call us and ask us to contact a resource parent after you have gained permission from that parent for us to call if you prefer.
The Network works to provide quality, convenient training on a variety of topics to resource parents. We have trainings nearly every month. Topics vary and child care is usually provided for $2 per child. (Foster parents can will receive a receipt and can turn this in on their board bill.) Resource parents are encouraged to contact The Network and suggest training topics. Parents who attend fill out TRIS forms and receive training credit for their attendance. Please feel free to make suggestions for trainings for which you see a need in your work with resource parents.
Recruitment of new resource parents is another area in which The Network works diligently. In collaboration with DCBS team members various ways of recruiting parents are pursued. The Network assists in locating quality parents who are willing to parent siblings, teens, and special needs children. Through various projects homes for the many children awaiting forever families are sought. All About Me is one way we try to recruit homes for these children. Through special Power Point presentations we showcase children who are awaiting their families. If you work with a child whose parental rights have been terminated and you would like for them to have an All About Me CD made, please contact us by email or using the toll free line mentioned above. We will announce new recruitment efforts on the home page of this website.
SAFE Mentors are one of those programs that was affected by budget cuts.
However, Phil Kilby is still available out of the Training Resource Center at Murray State University if parents are in need of Educational Advocacy. Please have parents call the Training Resource Center at (270) 809-5054 to inquire about his free services. Also, the Network is always available to provide help to parents or to direct them to appropriate services!