CHIMES Family Advocacy Programs
FEMI
Facilitated Empowerment of Mothers and Infants (FEMI) is a safe and nurturing group designed for mothers who have experienced the trauma of child removal and reunification.
BABAS
The Babas Group offers a safe space for fathers to heal, learn, and grow as they work toward reunification with their children.
CHIMES PREVENTION PROGRAM
Preventing CPS Involvement
Preventing CPS Involvement
Preventing CPS Involvement
CHIMES-P educates new parents on habits and behaviors that can lead to CPS involvement.
Resources and Services
Preventing CPS Involvement
Preventing CPS Involvement
Expecting parents and parents of infants 0-1 years of age are connected to resources and services to ensure the best outcomes for parents and babies.
Facilitated support groups
Preventing CPS Involvement
Facilitated support groups
Parents of infants participate in a supportive cohort that meets bi-monthly in a virtual classroom.
Professional Support
Virtual Classroom Training
Facilitated support groups
Parents have access to the CHIMES network of culturally-relevant providers with expertise in social work, nursing, parent coaching, behavioral health, housing navigation, and advocacy.
Virtual Classroom Training
Virtual Classroom Training
Virtual Classroom Training
Parents enjoy access to a virtual classroom with presentations on a variety of topics related to child welfare. Recorded presentations are accessible on-demand.
Stipends & Emergency Fund
Virtual Classroom Training
Virtual Classroom Training
Parents receive a stipend for participation in online groups and training programs. A microgrant for each family is available to address unexpected emergencies.
CHIMES FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM
CHIMES: COMMUNITY IS HERE TO INTERVENE for more equitable solutions -- brief History
- Launched in March, 2021
- Recruiting volunteers and growing
- Backgrounds in Social Work, Education, Corrections, Legal and Social Services, Career Prep, Industry
- Seed Funding from Black Future Co-Op Fund
- Community Learning Grant from Group Health Foundation
CHIMES – WHAT WE DO
- Offer culturally-sensitive support for families in the child welfare system, with emphasis on Black and Brown families.
- Meet and accept families where they are, without judgment.
- Enable family stability, self-advocacy, and self-esteem.
- Train volunteer child welfare advocates, mentors, and guides.
- Respond nimbly to critical needs and exigent circumstances.
- Prepare families to deal effectively with hearings & agency meetings.
- Show up at court and bring community support for families.
- Connect families to resources that remove barriers to reunification.
- Work as a team with attorneys and social workers to align social justice advocacy with desired outcomes.
CHIMES – THE TYPICAL WEEK
- Meet one or more clients in-person.
- Respond same-day to clients' emails & calls.
- Transport client to children's doctor appointments.
- Advocate in person for expanded unsupervised visits for client.
- Attend Family Team Decision Meeting & Shared Planning Meeting.
- Strategize with client's DAC attorney & OPD social worker.
- Fund reinstatement of client's WA driver's license.
- Arrange client's on-demand transportation to a random UA.
- Secure toddler furniture required to comply with client's safety plan.
- Advocate in writing for client's inclusion in child's health decisions.
CHIMES Events
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