Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to train mentors for children with incarcerated parents

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth, a program operated by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, will host a fall training class for volunteers interested in mentoring children with an incarcerated parent. The 3.5-hour orientation session is scheduled for Sept. 26.

The training class covers program policies, techniques for establishing a mentor relationship, communication skills and the impact of incarceration on families. Attendance is free, but advanced registration is required for participants.

Following initial training, prospective mentors must undergo background checks before being matched with a child who shares similar interests. Program guidelines require volunteers to commit to spending a few hours per week with their matched child for a minimum of one year.

Time spent between mentors and children often includes participating in outdoor activities, exploring the community, working on art and craft projects, or simply spending time talking with each other.