Children and Family Services Parent Partners turn lived experience into hope for families

"San Bernardino County Update", yellow arrowhead and "SBCounty.gov

For families facing difficult circumstances, knowing someone truly understands what they are going through can make all the difference. Through San Bernardino County Children and Family Services (CFS), Parent Partners use their own lived experiences to encourage, support and inspire parents working to create positive change in their lives.

The Parent Partner program connects families with individuals who have successfully overcome many of the same challenges they now face. By sharing their personal journeys, Parent Partners help parents recognize that change is possible and that their past does not define their future.

Parent Partner Kristy Barton describes the emotional relief that came from finally letting go of years of pain and fear of being judged. After realizing she was repeating the same patterns and “expecting different results,” she made the decision to change her thinking, behaviors and the way she communicated.

Today, that experience has become a source of strength for others.

“When I came in as a Parent Partner, it was like, you’re just going to share your story,” Barton said. “You’re going to tell them how you did it.”

Rather than focusing on past mistakes, Parent Partners meet families where they are, offering encouragement to those who may feel hopeless or believe they cannot overcome addiction, incarceration or other life challenges. By speaking openly about their own experiences, they demonstrate that recovery and lasting change are achievable.

The program’s greatest impact comes through the relationships it builds. When parents say no one understands what they have been through, Parent Partners can often relate from personal experience. Their message is simple but powerful: Your past does not define you.

For Parent Partners, seeing families rebuild their lives is a reminder that every hardship they endured now serves a greater purpose. Through compassion, understanding and the power of lived experience, CFS Parent Partners continue to provide hope and encouragement to families as they work toward a brighter future.

Visit CFS.sbcounty.gov for more information.

Additional County Update News – August 20, 2026