Find Support Through the ASK Each Other Mentor Network
What is the ASK Each Other Mentor Network?
The ASK Each Other Mentor Network is a group of trained caregivers who understand what it’s like to raise a child with a disability. They want to share their experiences to help other caregivers. You can be matched with a mentor based on your child’s diagnosis or similar life situations (e.g., transitioning to adulthood, having more than one diagnosis, supporting siblings, or being a single parent). Our mentors are there to help you with emotional support, advice, and information. However, they are not advocates or Family Support Specialists, so they will help you reach out for more help when you need professional family support services.
How do I request a mentor?
To ask for a mentor, you can click here or go to the “Contact Us” tab. Then, choose option three and fill out your information. A Family Support Specialist will call you within a few days to talk about what you want in a mentor so they can find the best match for you. The Family Support Specialist will first look locally to find a good match and will get in touch with you when they find someone. We are also connected to a national network of trained mentors. If we cannot find a match locally, we can look nationally to find you a good parent match.
What does it look like when I’m “matched” with a mentor?
Once a match has been found for you, the Family Support Specialist will contact you and let you know. You will get an email that introduces you to your mentor and shares both of your contact information. The mentor assigned to you will set up a time to meet using Zoom, FaceTime, text, phone, or in person if you’re close and both interested.
The goal is for you and your mentor to meet four times over the next couple of months. We understand that everyone’s needs are different, so if you prefer to meet fewer times, that’s perfectly fine!
What do I do when the match is over?
After you've been matched with a mentor, the Family Support Specialist will check in to see how things are going and if you need any more help. Some parents might want to find another mentor to continue to grow their support network. If you're interested, we can start the process again.
can i become a mentor?
Often, people who ask for a mentor end up wanting to be a mentor later on. We regularly hold training sessions for new mentors and would love to talk to you about joining. You can ask to become a mentor by visiting www.askresource.org/contact and selecting option three.
Before becoming a mentor, everyone goes through a background check and has an initial interview with the Family Support Specialist who runs the program. Mentors also attend a training session that lasts about three to four hours. During this training, they learn how the mentor program works, how to communicate with the parents they are paired with, and helpful strategies to support the parents on their journey.
Go directly to the Contact Us page where you can sign up to have or be a mentor choosing option three and filling out your information.
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This page was developed with funds under grants from the U.S. Dept. of Education and the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of those Departments, and the reader should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. ASK Resource Center is a member of the Parent to Parent USA Alliance, and also serves as Iowa's Family Voices State Affiliate Organization. |