MyCom Parent

• have a chance to learn new skills
• be more optimistic about their future
• feel supported by caring adults in their community  

Parents and caregivers will:

• know what resources are out there & how to access them  

Neighborhood and community members will:

• view youth as assets
• step up to be involved in young people’s success
• see less violence and more hope on their streets  

Frequently Asked Questions From Parents and Caregivers

1. How do I get my youth involved?

   Call: It’s simple—call Starting Point at 216-575-0061 and tell them what neighborhood you live in and some basic details about the young people in your family, like their ages and interests, or your supervised childcare needs. You can also visit their online database at www.starting-point.org/parents.html. Starting Point will make you a customized list of activities and programs in your area that fits your family’s needs, and you can choose to follow up with anything on the list that sparks your interest.  
   
   Join: If you are the parent or caregiver of a teenager whom you think would be a good leader, call Partnership for a Safer Cleveland at 216-523-1128. Ask about joining the MyCom youth groups, young leaders who are at the center of a youth movement for positive change.  
   
   Browse: Or simply direct the young person in your family to a MyCom website for youth: www.getitfacts.org. They can browse around and see what sparks their interest. 

2. Are there requirements (age, etc.)?

   MyCom resources are for every youth in our neighborhoods—regardless of age, income, interests, or background. You might notice that most of the resources you find through MyCom are for the older child (that’s because our area has a Child Wellbeing Plan that covers all ages, and MyCom is the part of the plan for school-age and adolescent youth). But the people of MyCom will connect you to the right resources for your needs.    
     

3. Are there restrictions (residency requirements, etc.?)

   Individual programs and resources have individual rules. But a goal of MyCom is to include all youth in our neighborhoods, not to exclude or restrict anyone.   
    

4. What if my child has special needs?

   MyCom links your family to the resources that are right for you. Call Starting Point at 216-575-0061 and talk to their staff about the needs you have, and they will find the resources. 
      

5. What if my child’s been in trouble?

   Often, a youth who is struggling needs what MyCom aims to provide: caring adults from their neighborhood and activities that will inspire and prepare that young person for the future. How many success stories have you heard that start with “If it weren’t for Mr. So-and-So, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” or “If I never found basketball/chemistry/camping/etc., I don’t know what I would have done”? Call Starting Point at 216-575-0061 and talk to their staff about the needs you have, and they will find the resources that might be the spark that ignites your child’s bright future.    

6. Does MyCom make any guarantees as to quality, safety, etc.?

   No. MyCom is not a regulatory body—meaning that the people and organizations in the MyCom network do not license or appraise individual activities, providers, etc. MyCom is providing this listing of programs for informational and reference purposes only. MyCom does not endorse or recommend these programs and is not responsible for the services or activities offered or engaged in by them.  
   
   Starting Point, which provides the majority of the referrals to neighborhood activities, believes that parents are best able to choose and evaluate care for their children because they know their children’s needs best. Starting Point cannot recommend or guarantee a particular child care or activity setting. Starting Point makes every effort to supply you with current information on providers, but cannot guarantee providers’ capabilities. However, efforts are made to give you the information needed to fulfill your responsibilities for evaluating and selecting providers and monitoring their performance. Since selecting a provider is a subjective decision, you should interview several providers to determine which you and your family feel is best.  
   
   If you experience problems with a provider or have questions or concerns, contact a Starting Point parent counselor at 216-575-0061 (Local), 1-800-880-0971 (Toll Free), or 1-800-750-0750 (TTY).    

7. Has MyCom researched agencies and/or background-checked volunteers?

   No, though Starting Point collects a wealth of information about local resources, including some information about staff background, activities, accommodation of special needs, cost, and more.  
   
   Referral counselors at Starting Point (216-575-0061) can give you information about programs or activities that are available and Greater Cleveland Volunteers (216-391-9500) can provide information about volunteer opportunities, but it is up to the individual programs and families involved to do the research or background checks. MyCom is not responsible for the services or activities offered or engaged in by programs.  
     

8. What is expected of the parents?

   Children and adolescents don’t grow up in programs; they grow up in families within communities. MyCom aims to link families more effectively within their own neighborhoods so that a family can stay safe, well and close to home. A MyCom parent or caregiver is engaged, interested, and involved in their child’s success.  
   
   These are some of the ways parents and caregivers might be involved:  
   
   • Calling Starting Point at 216-575-0061 to find close-to-home activities that fit a child’s interests or strengths
   • Participating in family activities or events within the community
   • Sharing a “success story” based on a young person’s experience with MyCom
   • Giving input on improvements to services, programs or information through community forums, surveys, or other means
   • Volunteering to be the caring adult for other youth in the neighborhood
   • Leading or participating in community MyCom governance 
        

9. Does MyCom provide transportation or transportation vouchers, etc.?  

   No, but individual programs or services might. Make sure to ask this question when you are inquiring about activities near your home. Starting Point (216-575-0061) may be able to provide some of this information about a program near your home; for example, some programs offer school pick-up.   
    

10. How do I know I’ve found a MyCom agency? Does it matter?

    The MyCom network of youth services and opportunities is all about making good use of what already exists within our communities, and enhancing those opportunities. We want to make it easier for you to find close-to-home activities and opportunities that fit your child’s needs. Sometimes, you’ll get there because you heard about MyCom and took the steps to get involved, sometimes you’ll get there in a different way. It doesn’t matter, as long as you are finding what you need. And if you are NOT finding what you need, MyCom wants to help bridge that gap.    

Not finding what you need? Review our “Frequently Asked Questions about MyCom” or call the MyCom line at 216-698-8927.