Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about becoming a Mentor for our Therapeutic Foster Care or Adult Host Home programs? We’ve got answers. Check out the FAQ below to learn more about what it means to be a Mentor. You can also fill out this form or email us to connect with our staff for a personal overview of the process.

The MENTOR Network provides specific guidelines for the assisting with an individual’s finances and personal property. Your coordinator will work with your family in setting up the appropriate financial procedures and accounts.

Generally, the Mentor is responsible for providing nutritious meals and snacks, basic personal care and hygiene supplies, and clothing, as well as linens, bedding and, furnished bedrooms. Mentors receive a stipend to help with the cost of care.

Just as most moms and dads ensure that their kids get to school and other activities and appointments, Mentors are responsible for transportation for the children in their care.

This depends on the state in which you are providing care. Some states require that a foster parent have an independent source of income from a job that they or their spouse hold, social security or pension, while others require that foster parents be stay-at-home foster parents. Fill out our brief form to find out more information about your specific state.

The number of people one Mentor can accommodate differs by state regulation and individual situation. Generally, Mentors can care for no more than two children at a time and each child must have his or her own bedroom. To find out more information about your state’s specific offerings, fill out our form.

At The MENTOR Network, you’re never alone. Ask any Mentor who they rely on most, and you’ll probably hear, “My coordinator!” Our coordinators and clinical staff are available 24/7 to ensure that you have the support you need—every step of the way.

Each home is assigned a coordinator who provides case management services. Our coordinators are human service professionals responsible for overseeing the day-to-day success of a child’s home. The coordinator ensures that the child’s needs are being met in the home and that their plan of care is being followed. They will visit the child and the Mentor in the home regularly. There is also an after-hours coordinator on call 24/7 to respond to any urgent matters that arise outside of office hours.

Like all children, the young people we support have good days and bad days. Sometimes they may act out or exhibit difficult behaviors that they have learned in past living situations. While these behaviors may be challenging, we’ve found that with the support of a child’s loving foster parent and our support staff, challenging behaviors can decrease over time. Our staff is available to help you around the clock, offering moral support and additional expertise whenever you need it.

The matching process is designed to ensure that you, your family and the foster child who comes to live with you are comfortable so that you can live together as a family. Ultimately, you will have the final say over who you choose to welcome into your home and family.

Once you are ready to accept a foster child into your home, the matching process may vary from a few weeks to several months. Proper matching takes time and is well worth the investment to make that “perfect match” between you and the child or children you’ll serve. As a result, many of our matches have yielded long-term, meaningful relationships.

The children we serve come from all walks of life. Some may have medical, emotional or behavioral challenges, while others may have experienced abuse or neglect at some point in their lives. Like all children, the young people we serve need a warm, caring home where they can feel valued and loved.

Mentors are responsible for basic home care and related responsibilities to each foster child. This includes providing nutritious meals, transportation to school, all appointments and recreational activities, and supervision appropriate to the child’s age. Mentors are also required to maintain records and documentation regarding the services and supports being provided. As part of the process for preparing to welcome a child into your home, our staff will work with you to make sure you have all of the information and materials you need to be successful.

The first step is to sign up to learn more on this website. After you sign up, a representative from your local MENTOR office will contact you within three business days to share more information with you and answer any questions you may have. While it varies from state to state, the entire process for preparing to welcome someone into your home generally takes eight to twelve weeks. During this time, our team is there to support and guide you through the process.

As a Mentor, you’ll have the opportunity to earn money at home by opening your heart and your home. The stipend, which helps cover the cost of care, varies based on the state and the needs of the child or children you support. As part of our matching process, we will work with you to determine the level of needs you are best prepared to support.

Our Mentors represent a wide range of backgrounds and skill levels. They may be stay-at-home moms, empty nesters looking for companionship and a way to give back, retirees looking for extra income, or social services professionals with experience caring for children with special needs. Mentors may be married or single, men or women and represent a wide range of ethnicities and religions. One constant among our Mentors, however, is their commitment to care for and make a positive difference in someone’s life.

The supports Mentors provide are specifically tailored to meet the needs of the children who live with them. The actual level of support, supervision and active assistance varies, depending on the needs of each child. During our comprehensive matching process the needs and preferences of both you—the Mentor—and the child are considered to help find the very best match.

We call our foster parents Mentors. A Mentor is a person who makes a difference in the life of a foster child by opening their heart and their home, providing the child they care for with the support they need to thrive. With the help of our specialized team of health and human services professionals, Mentors become trusted caregivers, friends and advocates for the children they care for. This special relationship between the Mentor and the child they support is the foundation of our program’s success. Our Mentors are our greatest resource. They enable us to help individuals across the country live rich, meaningful lives in the communities they call home, regardless of the challenges they may face.

A Mentor is a person who makes a difference in the life of an adult with intellectual or developmental disabilities by opening their heart and their home, providing the individual they care for with the support they need to thrive. With the help of our specialized team of health and human services professionals, Mentors become trusted caregivers, friends and advocates for the individuals they care for. This special relationship between the Mentor and the individual they support is the foundation of our program’s success. Our Mentors are our greatest resource. They enable us to help individuals across the country live rich, meaningful lives in the communities they call home, regardless of the challenges they may face.

Generally, a Mentor is responsible for providing nutritious meals and snacks, basic personal care and hygiene supplies such as shampoo, soap and toothpaste, clothing, as well as bedding and furnishings for the bedroom. Mentors receive a stipend to help with the cost of care. Mentors are also responsible for providing transportation to and from appointments and activities, utilities and basic telephone and cable costs.

In some states, Mentors are required to have a job or other source of income (such as a pension or social security), while in other states the Mentor must be at home full-time. Fill out our brief form to find out more information about your specific state’s guidelines.

Most people who choose to live with a Mentor family will also have a job, work training or other activity during the day. However, employment or other day activities are not required and some people may wish to stay home during the day. Our team will work with you to be sure that the needs, preferences and choices of the individual who comes to live with you can be supported by the rhythm of your life.

We know that everyone needs a vacation from time to time and that sometimes life isn’t always predictable. Your coordinator will have a close relationship with your family so that your relief support needs can be anticipated and planned for whenever possible. Your coordinator may arrange for the individual to stay with another family for a short time, someone may come into your home to provide temporary support, or other arrangements can be made. In case of emergency or crisis situations, our staff will be there to make the necessary arrangements.

The number of people one Mentor can accommodate differs by state and based on the needs of the people involved. Generally, Mentors can serve one or two people at a time and each person must have his or her own bedroom.

Our goal, through our comprehensive matching process, is to ensure that you and the person who comes to live with you know each other well and will be able to live together comfortably. Some of our most successful placements have lasted for decades. Others have lasted a few years and then either the Mentor or the individual’s needs changed and the placement ended. In many cases, a lifelong friendship endures.

While some of the individuals we serve do need constant support, others do not. Our team will ensure that you are matched with a person whose level of need fits best with your lifestyle.

At The MENTOR Network, you’re never alone. Ask any Mentor who they rely on most, and you’ll probably hear, “My coordinator!” Our coordinators and clinical staff are available 24/7 to ensure that you have the support you need—every step of the way.

Each home is assigned a coordinator who provides case management services. Our coordinators are human service professionals responsible for overseeing the day-to-day success of an individual’s home. The coordinator ensures that the individual’s needs are being met in the home and that their plan of care is being followed. They will visit the individual and the Mentor in the home regularly. There is also an after-hours coordinator on call 24/7 to respond to any urgent matters that arise outside of office hours.

The matching process is designed to ensure that you and the person who comes to live with you are comfortable so that you can live together as family would and develop a meaningful relationship. Ultimately, you will have the final say over who you choose to welcome into your home.

The people who receive services in a Mentor’s home have varying degrees of developmental disabilities such as intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, or epilepsy. Some may be very independent and able to go out into the community on their own and even have a job, while others will need more support. Our staff will make sure that you are matched with a person whose needs fit your lifestyle.

In general, Mentors are responsible for basic home care and related responsibilities. This may include providing nutritious meals, transportation to appointments and recreational activities, helping the individual participate in community activities, and supervision based on the needs of the individual you are supporting. Mentors are also required to maintain records and documentation regarding the services and supports being provided. As part of the process for preparing to welcome an individual into your home, our staff will work with you to make sure you have all of the information and materials you need to be successful.

The first step is to sign up to learn more on this website. After you sign up, a representative from your our local office will contact you within three business days to share more information with you and answer any questions you may have. While it varies from state to state, the entire process for preparing to welcome someone into your home generally takes eight to twelve weeks. During this time, our team is there to support and guide you through the process.

As a Mentor, you’ll have the opportunity to earn money at home by opening your heart and your home. The stipend varies based on the state and the needs of the individual or individuals you support. As part of our matching process, we will work with you to determine the level of needs you are best prepared to support.

Our Mentors represent a wide range of backgrounds and skill levels. They may be stay-at-home moms, empty nesters looking for companionship and a way to give back, retirees, or healthcare and social services professionals. Mentors may be married or single, men or women and represent a wide range of ethnicities and religions. One constant among our Mentors, however, is their commitment to care for and make a positive difference in someone’s life.

The supports Mentors provide are specifically tailored to meet the needs of the individuals who live with them. The actual level of support, supervision and active assistance varies, depending on the needs of each individual. Some individuals are more independent and need less support than others. During our comprehensive matching process the needs and preferences of both you—the Mentor—and the individual are considered to help find the very best match.

At The MENTOR Network, you’re never alone. Ask any Mentor who they rely on most, and you’ll probably hear, “My coordinator!” Our coordinators and clinical staff are available 24/7 to ensure that you have the support you need—every step of the way.

Each home is assigned a coordinator who provides case management services. Our coordinators are human service professionals responsible for overseeing the day-to-day success of an individual’s home. The coordinator ensures that the individual’s needs are being met in the home and that their plan of care is being followed. They will visit the individual and the Mentor in the home regularly. There is also an after-hours coordinator on call 24/7 to respond to any urgent matters that arise outside of office hours.

The MENTOR Network provides specific guidelines for the assisting with an individual’s finances and personal property. Your coordinator will work with your family in setting up the appropriate financial procedures and accounts.

Generally, a Mentor is responsible for providing nutritious meals and snacks, basic personal care and hygiene supplies such as shampoo, soap and toothpaste, clothing, as well as bedding and furnishings for the bedroom. Mentors receive a stipend to help with the cost of care. Mentors are also responsible for providing transportation to and from appointments and activities, utilities and basic telephone and cable costs.

In some states, Mentors are required to have a job or other source of income (such as a pension or social security), while in other states the Mentor must be at home full-time. Fill out our brief form to find out more information about your specific state’s guidelines.

Most people who choose to live with a Mentor family will also have a job, work training or other activity during the day. However, employment or other day activities are not required and some people may wish to stay home during the day. Our team will work with you to be sure that the needs, preferences and choices of the individual who comes to live with you can be supported by the rhythm of your life.

We know that everyone needs a vacation from time to time and that sometimes life isn’t always predictable. Your coordinator will have a close relationship with your family so that your relief support needs can be anticipated and planned for whenever possible. Your coordinator may arrange for the individual to stay with another family for a short time, someone may come into your home to provide temporary support, or other arrangements can be made. In case of emergency or crisis situations, our staff will be there to make the necessary arrangements.

The number of people one Mentor can accommodate differs by state and based on the needs of the people involved. Generally, Mentors can serve one or two people at a time and each person must have his or her own bedroom.

Our goal, through our comprehensive matching process, is to ensure that you and the person who comes to live with you know each other well and will be able to live together comfortably. Some of our most successful placements have lasted for decades. Others have lasted a few years and then either the Mentor or the individual’s needs changed and the placement ended. In many cases, a lifelong friendship endures.

While some of the individuals we serve do need constant support, others do not. Our team will ensure that you are matched with a person whose level of need fits best with your lifestyle.

A Mentor is a person who makes a difference in the life of an adult with intellectual or developmental disabilities by opening their heart and their home, providing the individual they care for with the support they need to thrive. With the help of our specialized team of health and human services professionals, Mentors become trusted caregivers, friends and advocates for the individuals they care for. This special relationship between the Mentor and the individual they support is the foundation of our program’s success. Our Mentors are our greatest resource. They enable us to help individuals across the country live rich, meaningful lives in the communities they call home, regardless of the challenges they may face.

The matching process is designed to ensure that you and the person who comes to live with you are comfortable so that you can live together as family would and develop a meaningful relationship. Ultimately, you will have the final say over who you choose to welcome into your home.

The people who receive services in a Mentor’s home have varying degrees of developmental disabilities such as intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, or epilepsy. Some may be very independent and able to go out into the community on their own and even have a job, while others will need more support. Our staff will make sure that you are matched with a person whose needs fit your lifestyle.

In general, Mentors are responsible for basic home care and related responsibilities. This may include providing nutritious meals, transportation to appointments and recreational activities, helping the individual participate in community activities, and supervision based on the needs of the individual you are supporting. Mentors are also required to maintain records and documentation regarding the services and supports being provided. As part of the process for preparing to welcome an individual into your home, our staff will work with you to make sure you have all of the information and materials you need to be successful.

The first step is to sign up to learn more on this website. After you sign up, a representative from your our local office will contact you within three business days to share more information with you and answer any questions you may have. While it varies from state to state, the entire process for preparing to welcome someone into your home generally takes eight to twelve weeks. During this time, our team is there to support and guide you through the process.

As a Mentor, you’ll have the opportunity to earn money at home by opening your heart and your home. The stipend varies based on the state and the needs of the individual or individuals you support. As part of our matching process, we will work with you to determine the level of needs you are best prepared to support.

Our Mentors represent a wide range of backgrounds and skill levels. They may be stay-at-home moms, empty nesters looking for companionship and a way to give back, retirees, or healthcare and social services professionals. Mentors may be married or single, men or women and represent a wide range of ethnicities and religions. One constant among our Mentors, however, is their commitment to care for and make a positive difference in someone’s life.

The supports Mentors provide are specifically tailored to meet the needs of the individuals who live with them. The actual level of support, supervision and active assistance varies, depending on the needs of each individual. Some individuals are more independent and need less support than others. During our comprehensive matching process the needs and preferences of both you—the Mentor—and the individual are considered to help find the very best match.

We call our foster parents Mentors. A Mentor is a person who makes a difference in the life of a foster child by opening their heart and their home, providing the child they care for with the support they need to thrive. With the help of our specialized team of health and human services professionals, Mentors become trusted caregivers, friends and advocates for the children they care for. This special relationship between the Mentor and the child they support is the foundation of our program’s success. Our Mentors are our greatest resource. They enable us to help individuals across the country live rich, meaningful lives in the communities they call home, regardless of the challenges they may face.

The supports Mentors provide are specifically tailored to meet the needs of the children who live with them. The actual level of support, supervision and active assistance varies, depending on the needs of each child. During our comprehensive matching process the needs and preferences of both you—the Mentor—and the child are considered to help find the very best match.

Our Mentors represent a wide range of backgrounds and skill levels. They may be stay-at-home moms, empty nesters looking for companionship and a way to give back, retirees looking for extra income, or social services professionals with experience caring for children with special needs. Mentors may be married or single, men or women and represent a wide range of ethnicities and religions. One constant among our Mentors, however, is their commitment to care for and make a positive difference in someone’s life.

As a Mentor, you’ll have the opportunity to earn money at home by opening your heart and your home. The stipend, which helps cover the cost of care, varies based on the state and the needs of the child or children you support. As part of our matching process, we will work with you to determine the level of needs you are best prepared to support.

The first step is to sign up to learn more on this website. After you sign up, a representative from your local MENTOR office will contact you within three business days to share more information with you and answer any questions you may have. While it varies from state to state, the entire process for preparing to welcome someone into your home generally takes eight to twelve weeks. During this time, our team is there to support and guide you through the process.

Mentors are responsible for basic home care and related responsibilities to each foster child. This includes providing nutritious meals, transportation to school, all appointments and recreational activities, and supervision appropriate to the child’s age. Mentors are also required to maintain records and documentation regarding the services and supports being provided. As part of the process for preparing to welcome a child into your home, our staff will work with you to make sure you have all of the information and materials you need to be successful.

The children we serve come from all walks of life. Some may have medical, emotional or behavioral challenges, while others may have experienced abuse or neglect at some point in their lives. Like all children, the young people we serve need a warm, caring home where they can feel valued and loved.

Once you are ready to accept a foster child into your home, the matching process may vary from a few weeks to several months. Proper matching takes time and is well worth the investment to make that “perfect match” between you and the child or children you’ll serve. As a result, many of our matches have yielded long-term, meaningful relationships.

The matching process is designed to ensure that you, your family and the foster child who comes to live with you are comfortable so that you can live together as a family. Ultimately, you will have the final say over who you choose to welcome into your home and family.

Like all children, the young people we support have good days and bad days. Sometimes they may act out or exhibit difficult behaviors that they have learned in past living situations. While these behaviors may be challenging, we’ve found that with the support of a child’s loving foster parent and our support staff, challenging behaviors can decrease over time. Our staff is available to help you around the clock, offering moral support and additional expertise whenever you need it.

At The MENTOR Network, you’re never alone. Ask any Mentor who they rely on most, and you’ll probably hear, “My coordinator!” Our coordinators and clinical staff are available 24/7 to ensure that you have the support you need—every step of the way.

Each home is assigned a coordinator who provides case management services. Our coordinators are human service professionals responsible for overseeing the day-to-day success of a child’s home. The coordinator ensures that the child’s needs are being met in the home and that their plan of care is being followed. They will visit the child and the Mentor in the home regularly. There is also an after-hours coordinator on call 24/7 to respond to any urgent matters that arise outside of office hours.

The number of people one Mentor can accommodate differs by state regulation and individual situation. Generally, Mentors can care for no more than two children at a time and each child must have his or her own bedroom. To find out more information about your state’s specific offerings, fill out our form.

This depends on the state in which you are providing care. Some states require that a foster parent have an independent source of income from a job that they or their spouse hold, social security or pension, while others require that foster parents be stay-at-home foster parents. Fill out our brief form to find out more information about your specific state.

Just as most moms and dads ensure that their kids get to school and other activities and appointments, Mentors are responsible for transportation for the children in their care.

Generally, the Mentor is responsible for providing nutritious meals and snacks, basic personal care and hygiene supplies, and clothing, as well as linens, bedding and, furnished bedrooms. Mentors receive a stipend to help with the cost of care.