Advocating for healthy families, one mom at a time.
The Mothers Advocacy Project is a program that meets weekly to help moms become the best leader of their family. Moms that have completed our program have gotten their lives back through parental competency, family stability, and a strong support system.
Creating family stability for women-led families
Over the last 7 years we have not only expanded the areas in which we serve, but also developed a unique model that data has shown to be effective in achieving family stability. We have defined our scope as women-led families, as mother figures can be grandmothers, aunts or even fictive kin, who have primary custody of the child(ren). We work to support families with evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions, creating longterm stability and advocating for healthy families, one mom at a time, through a unique
program designed specifically for families who are at risk of or have current involvement with the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), due to harsh life experiences. The mothers in our program are given an opportunity to establish independence, autonomy, and stability for themselves and their children through a series of interventions including group and individual psychotherapy, social support, education, and engagement in participatory arts.
Our Mission
To support families with evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions, creating long term stability and advocating for healthy families, one mom at a time.
Our Vision
To break the intergenerational cycle of trauma and maltreatment in women led families.
Introducing MAP PrePhase
The women that join our program come from all different stages of life, different family backgrounds, and have experienced all types of traumatic life experiences. In order to serve these moms well, we created MAP PrePhase.
This program introduces our team to the women looking to join the MAP program through weekly or bi-weekly meetings held for 2-4 weeks.
THE OBJECTIVES
To learn about the client’s current situation and her goals and needs
Assess the client’s mental health functioning, current stability status, and parenting competency
Provide client with a detailed information of the program and it’s requirements on client’s commitment
Client learns about staff members and their roles
Provide client with psychoeducation about trauma and trauma informed care
Client placement into Track 1 (Stage 1 clients); Track 2 (Stage 2 clients) or client referral based on client’s needs
Strong moms raise strong kids.
Participants accepted into the program will receive a scholarship to assist with the completion of our program. The following details are the aspects of the program that each participant can look forward to.
Consultations
Every mom referred to or inquiring about our program is invited to a Family Consultation where the mom can come to our office, meet our team, and discuss her greatest needs for her family in a low-pressure environment.
Assessments
Used to create individualize family care plan, each mom will complete a handful of psychological assessments. The results are used to track the mom’s progress to update treatment plan if needed.
Research-Based Interventions
The MAP program intervention bio-psycho-social model is based in evidence from the field of trauma and neuropsychology. Meaning, our model focuses on harsh life experiences and works on resetting those experiences though the brain so post-traumatic growth is possible.
Education
We strongly believe in the power of respect and education for our mothers. Psychoeducation allows our moms to become highly self-aware and self-regulated, setting practical goals, and making better decisions for themselves and their families.
Social Supports
Many of the moms that come to our program believe that they are alone in their struggles and, therefore, are hesitant to engage socially with our staff and other moms. Fortunately, as time goes on, many moms have reported MAP feeling like family to them due to the sense of belonging and community that comes with the program.
We asked our graduates, “What is MAP to you?”
“MAP is a safe place to go for support and counsel. I now have open and honest conversations with my son. MAP has had a positive impact on my family, as I know that I go to them without fear of judgment.”
“MAP to me is support; it’s a life-changing experience, with joy and new beginnings. Mothers Advocacy Project brings structure to my life for me and my family.”
“MAP is where I learned to be vulnerable. Learning how to cope with trauma has magnified my energy level for my children. MAP’s impact on my life has me learning new skills even after graduation.”
