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1. How Does Strategic Family Mentoring Work?

Strategic Family Mentoring (SFM) works in conjunction with other Middle Peninsula-Northern Neck Community Services Board (MPNNCSB) services, such as outpatient, intensive outpatient, and intensive in-home therapy, to promote the achievement of treatment goals. For example, mentors can be extremely effective as positive role models to help the single parent family.

About the Mentors

Mentors are individuals who are selected and hired by the MPNNCSB as part-time employees who collaborate with the therapist to assist and support the family as they work on achieving their goals.

Contact Us

For more information contact Scott Britton, Mental Health Care Coordinator, at 804-758-4035.

2. How do mentors and therapists work together in providing treatment to my child?

Mentors monitor client/family progress and communicate observed strengths and barriers to the therapist weekly. Mentors are the therapists' "eyes and ears in the field," and the client/family "coach and cheerleader."

Mentors are not substitute parents or friends, but are part of the therapeutic team to support lasting positive change. They assist the child/adolescent and family in developing the natural family and/or community supports that will help to maintain the therapeutic changes after the mentor is gone.

Contact Us

For more information contact Scott Britton, Mental Health Care Coordinator, at 804-758-4035.

3. Who is eligible to receive SFM?

Children/adolescents between 5 and 17 years old with a parents/guardians willing to participate in SFM service. The family must reside within one of the ten counties served by the Middle Peninsula Northern Neck Community Services Board (MPNNCSB). Child/adolescent must be receiving outpatient, intensive outpatient, or intensive in-home therapy from a MPNNCSB therapist.

Contact Us

For more information contact Scott Britton, Mental Health Care Coordinator, at 804-758-4035.

4. What services are offered as part of SFM?

Mentors work with the family and therapist to:

• Engage the child in recreational and social activities, promoting social activities, while discussing effective handling of peer interactions and decision making in problems they are experiencing
• Facilitate participation in appropriate social activities and connection to positive peer group
• Monitor family progress and communicate observations of progress, strengths, and barriers to goal achievement to therapist
• Reinforce and reward the child/adolescent and family efforts and progress toward change in appropriate ways
• Schedule outings strategically to allow parent(s) or guardian(s) time alone to address their own therapeutic tasks.
• Support family efforts to complete assigned therapeutic tasks (such as homework) and in using strategies developed in collaboration with their therapist
• Identify sustainable resources in the family/community to support healthy functioning and the achievement of treatment goals

Contact Us

For more information contact Scott Britton, Mental Health Care Coordinator, at 804-758-4035.

5. Who pays for SFM services?

Comprehensive Services Act (CSA) funds approved by the county Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) and the Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT) pay for SFM services. For more information contact Scott Britton, Mental Health Care Coordinator, at 804-758-4035.

6. How do I access these services?

Discuss the need for a Mentor with your therapist. They will submit the referral and pursue funding through Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT). Agencies who are referring for the service should contact Rachel Teagle, Youth Family Services (YFS)/Intensive In-home Coordinator 804-776-7501 ext. 104), to obtain the referral form and schedule the SFM request for funding through FAPT.

Contact Us

For more information contact Scott Britton, Mental Health Care Coordinator, at 804-758-4035.