Family Support Partners/Parent Partners deliver peer-to-peer support to families. Family Support Partners walk with the families on their journey through the system until they’re able to walk alone. MIKID’s team meets with families beyond the typical business hours. We support families and provide information on community resources and educate on navigating the Children’s Behavioral Health System and other youth-serving systems. MIKID focuses on the family as a whole by providing tools to help the family reach their goals in being the family they desire to be and, ultimately, developing independence.

Below are examples of the MIKID specific role for family support:

• In-home and community family support beyond typical business hours. Family Support Partners walk with the families on their journey through the system until they can walk alone.
• Preparation for an Individual Education Plan/504 meeting (504 plan outlines how a child’s medical needs are met with accommodations, modifications and other services but does not require specialized instruction) and attend with the family.
• Preparation for a Child Family Team meeting and attend with the family.
• Attend and support family in court/legal proceedings. Guide the parent through the juvenile justice system, and assist them in understanding the legal process. In addition, help them meet the goals mandated by probation or community service.
• Provide support to the biological family if their child is removed from their care by the Department of Child Safety. Attend supervised visits, help families comply and work on goals for re-unification.
• Partner with the foster family to provide support needed to maintain placement, while working with the treatment team towards reunification and/or case plan goals. Facilitate family support groups.
• Facilitate kinship/caregiver support groups.
• Attend parenting classes with parent, and work on goals the family learned in the class.
• Assist the family in finding resources in the community such as, housing, food banks, utility assistance programs, clothing, youth activities, educational resources, and assistance with daily living skills etc.
• Provide support and assistance with budgeting. Provide support and assistance with home organization.
• Attend and/or provide support at hospital visits, and psychiatric appointments. Provide support and assistance navigating the DDD system.
• Provide support and assistance with resolution of any family stressor. Provide additional support in the reunification of the child with the biological family.

Support Groups:

• Support groups are comprised of men and woman, parents and guardians, who provide parent-to-parent support.
• The purpose of this group is to share experiences among themselves, share resources in the community, and develop natural supports. MIKID also provides specialty support groups such as: Men to Men support for fathers, support for parents of children with Autism. Concepts to include:
• Facilitated by Family Support Partners. Include parents and caregivers that MIKID serves and any parent or caregiver of a special needs child in the community, promoting community outreach and involvement.
• Provides a safe arena for exchanging ideas and concerns about meeting the needs of their children.
• Provides the opportunity to build natural supports within the community. Invites/hosts events and training opportunities.  Shares and promotes utilizing community resources.  Develop family members/caregivers skills and abilities to participate in advocating and improving children services)  Use voice to participate in the system  Feeling empowered

Kinship/Care Giver support groups:

• Kinship and caregiver support is provided for the growing number of grandparents and extended family members who are caring for children who would otherwise be placed in non-relative foster care.
• These programs educate on how to navigate the various child-serving systems and provide support while connecting families with others in similar situations.

Kingman Parent Support Group: 
2615 E. Beverly Ave, Kingman, AZ  86401
Contact (928) 753-4354 
Meetings are Thursday 11-1

Bullhead City Parent Support Group:
810 Gemstone Avenue, Suite #1 Bullhead City, AZ  86442
Contact (928) 704-9111
Meetings are Tuesday 11-1