DRAGONFLIES A Peer Mentor Program for Parents Involved with Child Welfare

What is a Dragonfly?

A dragonfly is a peer mentor who has been through what you’re going through right now.  This person is a parent who has experienced the removal of their child(ren) by the State, was reunified, and successfully closed their case. 
Dragonflies are symbolic of transformation and self realization.  They are symbolic of joy and fresh starts.  A dragonfly can help you navigate new territory with ease.

How a Dragonfly Can Assist You?

  • Support at court hearings and meetings

  • Support setting up services and getting to appointments

  • Emotional support through one of the most difficult times in your life from someone who really knows how it feels

  • Empowerment to take charge of your life, your case, and reunify your family with wholeness. 

Dragonflies are Flexible

Services are available as needed.  Dragonflies are available for phone calls, one-on-one meet ups, and attendance at appointments.  There are no requirements for how often you have to be in contact with your Dragonfly.  This is meant to be helpful, not another requirement for you to fulfill.  Your Dragonfly is available to you for the life of your case, so long as it is filling a need. 

Why do I Need a Dragonfly?

Losing a child is possibly the worst thing that could happen.  Parents experience grief and find themselves more lost than ever.  A dragonfly is a ray of hope, lighting up the path ahead when all you may see is darkness.  A dragonfly can help you get back on your feet and start working toward getting your family back together. They can teach you about the Child Welfare process so you know what to expect, and can make informed decisions.  A dragonfly will empower you to be involved in safety planning for your family, and improve communication between you and your caseworker; all increasing your chances of a quick return home.

Goals of the Dragonfly Program
(from a parent's perspective)

  • Get my children home as soon as possible

  • Learn about the Child Welfare and court systems so I can make beneficial decisions about my life.

  • Have support from someone I trust, who I can confide in confidentially, and who knows what it’s like to be in my shoes.

  • Have someone help me with stressful meetings, appointments, and court hearings

    • Provide transportation

    • Take notes

    • Help me remember which questions to ask

    • Debrief after the meeting

    • Emotional support

  • Help me communicate with my caseworker so we have an equally trusting and respectful relationship

  • Help me get started in my court ordered services

  • Help me heal/rebuild my relationship with my children

  • Help me create healthy routines, self care, and a good support network in my life

Expected Outcomes
(from a parent’s perspective)

  • My family will be reunified

  • I will be on my journey of healing, making progress each day

  • I will feel confident making decisions for me and my family

  • I will have better awareness of my own trauma and how it may impact my parenting

  • I will have an expanded support network full of people I can trust, who will be there whenever I need them

  • I will have a cooperative, cordial relationship with my caseworker

Currently only serving Medicaid customers who are enrolled in a treatment plan with L.G.S.

We will be opening up services to the general public in the near future.

Fun Fact

Did you know Live. Grow. Share. was originally founded to provide a "home" for the Dragonflies program?  Dragonflies was created in 2018 by Ashley Teeters and two parents who had a history of Child Welfare Involvement.  They saw a need for parents to be supported and educated about their case and their rights in a way that had not yet been accessible.  The three of them worked diligently to get Dragonflies off the ground, volunteering their time in person and on a private Facebook group (inquire within to be added!).  It wasn't until July 2023 that Dragonflies was officially in business.

(Left to Right, Sarah Fogerty, David Lyons, and Ashley Teeters in 2019, original Dragonfly team)

Meet the Staff

Kendra Stidhem, PSS, Dragonflies Program Manager and Peer Supervisor

I have worked as a Peer Support Specialist in Behavioral Health and Addictions for over 8 years. I am a volunteer Mentor working with women who are involved with the criminal justice system. I have certifications in Peer Support Supervision, Family Support Specialist, Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model, Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, CPI, Ethics and Boundaries, Hoarding Intervention, and many others. I am a mother to five wonderful children and two dogs. I am an active member in my Church, and I love being outdoors. I was instrumental in changing the visitation rules for the Oregon Department of Corrections, the passage of House Bill 4009, creating a mechanism to reverse a Termination of Parental Rights, and SB 241 creating a Bill of Rights for Children of Incarcerated Parents, as well as House Bill 2535, creating a doula program in statute at Coffee Creek correctional Facility. I am a subject of Brian Lindstrom’s documentary films, “Mothering Inside” and “Like a Shield” and “We Are More”, as well as a feature in Sun Magazine. I am passionate about being an advocate for reforms in the criminal justice system, addiction and recovery, reentry, and child welfare systems. I am an active member of the Gender Responsive work group with the State Capitol and participate in workgroups with Lane County for Unhoused populations, SUDS, HealthCare integration, Community Resilience, Trauma Informed Care and Equity.

I do this work because I want to be the change and be all the things that I needed when I was struggling. I identify as someone in long-term recovery. I once lived out of my backpack, homeless on the streets. I lost everything to my addiction, my parental rights and eventually my freedom. I have experience with the intersecting systems of the criminal legal system and child welfare system and believe we must do better to reduce harm and truly create change within these systems. I want to help people who are involved in these systems to break intergenerational cycles and start healing.