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Designing a Mentoring Program for Neglected Youth

Designing a Mentoring Program for Neglected Youth. Laura Schleede, Journey 4-H Youth Mentoring Molly Frendo, Michigan 4-H Youth Development Jamie, Journey 4-H Mentee. Jamie’s Story. Journey 4-H Youth Mentoring. Partnership with Ottawa County Family Court, Juvenile Services

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Designing a Mentoring Program for Neglected Youth

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  1. Designing a Mentoring Program for Neglected Youth Laura Schleede, Journey 4-H Youth Mentoring Molly Frendo, Michigan 4-H Youth Development Jamie, Journey 4-H Mentee

  2. Jamie’s Story

  3. Journey 4-H Youth Mentoring • Partnership with Ottawa County Family Court, Juvenile Services • Matches court involved youth with screened volunteers • Volunteers complete 12 hours of pre-match training • Matches commit to meet for at least two hours a week for a minimum of eighteen months • Mission is to reduce frequency and severity of delinquent behavior by matching court involved youth with a caring adult friend and role model

  4. Changing Lives • Mentors provide support to youth and families • Mentors teach skills • Mentors and program staff provide: • Youth with supervision during critical after-school hours • Referrals for needed services • A respite for parents • Mentors help youth learn how to communicate better within the family, at school and socially • Exposure to community service

  5. Mentor Recruitment • Targeted recruitment of stable adults • Emphasis on long term commitment • Consider people with history in helping professions • Communicate need for flexibility

  6. Mentor Screening • Be selective • Mentors need to be flexible and able to adapt to circumstances • Patience- not pushy • Complete background check • Interview and references are crucial

  7. Possible Interview and Reference Questions • Ask references to comment on the candidate’s ability to commit to a long term match • Ask the reference how the candidate handles unexpected events and changes • Ask candidate to respond to various role play scenarios • Ask the volunteer how they role model good behavior (patience, communication, etc.)

  8. Mentor Training • Mentors with less than two hours of pre-match training report the lowest levels of closeness and supportiveness with their mentees. (Herrera, Sipe & McClanahan, 2000; Rhodes 2002) • Mentors with six or more hours of pre-match training report the strongest relationships. (Herrera., Sipe & McClanahan, 2000; Rhodes 2002) • Training provides mentoring staff with an opportunity to learn more about volunteers and understand areas in which the mentor may need additional support or training

  9. Mentor Training • Training topics • Reporting abuse and neglect • Boundaries and program policies • Communication • Youth development • Building relationships • Cultural sensitivity • Understanding the role of a mentor

  10. Matching • Complete comprehensive intake with youth to get to know the youth and their needs • Consider compatibility (interests, personality types, skills) • Match meeting • Set clear goals/ contract • Provide an initial activity for the match to complete together

  11. Match Support • Communicate with mentor, youth and family on a regular basis • Progress reports • Phone • Email • Face to face • Ensure that staff are trained and aware of resources for families • Provide social recreational, educational and service activities for matches • Ask for youth feedback and ideas • Provide safe opportunities for youth leadership

  12. Match Closure • Plan ahead- this is a process, not a meeting • Talk about future contact • Provide an opportunity for mentors and mentees to share feedback • Determine if youth or mentor want to be re-matched “ Where would I be without Cal? Well, either I would be in jail or dead. Before my mentor I thought that life kind of sucked, but now I don’t. Sometimes I think he get’s disappointed because he wants even more for me- he really believes in me. What he doesn’t always realize is how far I’ve come. Now I even want to graduate and, you know, I want to live.” -Journey 4-H mentee 16 years old, matched for 4 years

  13. Trampoline Your time and energy is worth it Thank you for doing what you do! Jamie: My Life Now

  14. Laura Schleede Program Assistant Journey 4H Youth Mentoring Ottawa County MSU Extension 333 Clinton Grand Haven, MI 49417 616.846.8250 nordheim@msu.edu Molly Frendo Associate Program Leader 4H Mentor Michigan Initiative MSU Extension 160 Agriculture Hall E. Lansing, MI  48823 517.432.7606 frendo@anr.msu.edu Questions?

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