PARENT SUPPORT OUTREACH PROGRAM
What is the Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP)?
The Parent Support Outreach Program was developed to serve families of young
children where there are concerns about child safety and well-being. This pilot project
from the Minnesota Department of Human Services combines a $3 million grant from
The McKnight Foundation with $3 million in federal funds and builds on the success of
the Alternative Response Program. Otter Tail County is one of 38 Minnesota counties
participating in the pilot over the course of the next several years.
Locally, Otter Tail County Human Services has partnered with the Otter Tail
Family Services Collaborative through the Early Childhood Work Group, Caring
Connections and the Family Outreach Program to offered home-based services and
support to families enrolling in the program.
What does the Parent Support Outreach Program Offer?
The goal of this project is to ensure children’s safety and well-being. Research
shows that this can best be done through early intervention. This program is designed to
offer help to families who are stressed and want help before a crisis occurs. Often times
getting help early even for a short time can make a big difference for many families.
The program is also structured to connect families with the specific community
services and resources they can benefit from, including housing, child care,
transportation, support groups, parent education and child development activities.
Who is eligible for the Parent Support Outreach Program?
Families of children age birth – 10 who are reported to Otter Tail County Human
Services for suspected maltreatment, but are screened out by the Human Services Child
Protection Team because of lack of substantiating information.
1)
which may put their child(ren) at risk of maltreatment and who are self-referred or
referred by staff of local programs or agencies (ECFE, Head Start, ECSE, FOP,
Schools, etc.)
Families of children age birth – 10 that are experiencing significant stress factorsWho can I contact to find out more about this program?
Heidi Plasekhplasek@pp.k12.mn.us
218-338-4079 ext. 440 (school year only)
320-766-2026 (any time)
