By Connie Reguli

FFP ADVOCACY GUIDELINES:

1. BOUNDARIES
   1. Not a source of financial or legal support.  No exchange of money, no invitation into personal home unless boundaries agreed upon
   1. Advocate is not an attorney or mental health professional.  In the event a mental health emergency arises, professionals should be contacted.  In the event a legal question arises, it can be discussed and documented but should be referred to counsel.
   1. Advocate is not a substance abuse specialist.  In the event, addictive behaviors, drug use, or other drug involvement becomes an issues beyond common support and encouragement, professionals should be engaged.
   1. The relationship is confidential and should not be discussed outside of the relationship except with permission of counsel and the parent.  Advocate can disclose information to parent’s counsel if approved by FFP administrator.
2. SUPPORT / ENCOURAGE / ACCOUNTABILITY
   1. Biggest factor is support and encouragement in the process and in the absence of children.
   1. Accountability is to help the parents track their progress.  Classes, evaluations, court preparation, etc.
   1. Parenting writing letters to children.  Keep them simple and encouraging. 
   1. Help parents prepare for visitation emotionally.
   1. Help parents stay focused on the resolution of the case. 
   1. Helping parents understand their relationship with other providers.  Courteous but not trusting.
3. DOCUMENTATION
   1. Help parents create and keep timelines.
   1. Help parents identify and list all resources needed to court, records, witnesses, keeping provider evals and reports, keeping up with classes, evals and other requirements.
   1. Recording, obtaining court recordings, organizing and storing data, etc to assist attorney for trial.
   1. File folders for DCS, perm plans, foster care review, court docs, subpoenas, notes, calendars, classes, income and housing, etc. 
4. CEASE AT ANY TIME
   1. At any time the advocate or parent feels that the relationship is not assisting them, they may terminate the relationship without question.
   1. At any time the advocate feels that they are unproductive, abused, or taken advantage of by the parent they can stop with no questions asked.
   1. Any notes taken by the advocate are strictly confidential and upon the termination of the relationship the notes should be turned over to the parents, Family Forward administrator, or destroyed. 
5. COMPENSATION
   1. Advocates are not paid and are providing their time and support without compensation.  If the parent or someone in behalf of the parent wishes to provide some compensation to the advocate it should only be with the approval of FFP administrator.
   1. Likewise, the parent is not to request or receive compensation from the advocate without approval of FFP.  This does not include token appreciation or support, but any such exchange must be documented and logged in case this exchange is later questioned. 
   1. Gifts for the children are discouraged but not forbidden if they are small token gifts or activities provided to the parents to encourage the relationship such as games, activities, crafts, cuddlies.
6. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
   1. FFP is not a religious organization.  Any activities such as Bible studies, prayer, or scripture reading shall be with the consent of both parties.  At any time, if the parent or advocate deems this inappropriate it should be ceased.

Reviewed with:

          Parent: ______________________________Date: ________________

          Advocate: ___________________________ Date: _________________

Advocate: ___________________________ Date: _________________