Successful Youth Mentoring Practices

Successful Youth Mentoring Practices: Guidelines and Considerations
Transforming lives through
the power of mentoring
Friends for Youth’s
Mentoring Institute
September 2010 Webinar

Policy Brief: Strengthening Mentoring Opportunities for At-Risk Youth
http://www.mentoring.org/news_and_research/research_and_studies/research_categories

Handbook of Youth Mentoring
Editors:
David DuBois, Ph.D.
Michael Karcher, Ed.D., Ph.D.
2nd edition 2011

Spring 2002
Summer 2010

Webinar Opportunity: PEAR The Program in Education, Afterschool, and Resiliency
Upcoming Action Dialogues•
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Promising Practices in Youth Mentoring: Implications of Emerging Frameworks
12:30- 2pm EST
Panelists: Michael J. Karcher, Michael Nakkula
Moderator: Dale Blyth
Registration link:
www.regonline.com/PromisingPractices

Who Mentored You?

History and Models of Mentoring

What is a mentor?
“Mentoring” describes a relationship
between an older, more experienced adult
and an unrelated, younger protégé or mentee, characterized by on-going guidance, instruction,
and encouragement provided by the adult
and aimed at developing the competence
and character of the mentee.
Rhodes, 2002

Brief History of Mentoring
Mentor from The Odyssey
Traditional apprenticeship programs
BBBS movement - 1904
Friends for Youth, Inc. - 1979
Corporate mentoring model - 1980s
MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership - 1990
EMT/Center for Applied Research Solutions - 1990
School-based mentoring model - 1990s
First Elements of Effective Practice - 1991
National Mentoring Center/NWREL - 1995
First major research on mentoring – 1995
America’s Promise - 1997

Brief History of Mentoring
Friends for Youth’s Mentoring Institute - 1998
California Mentoring Initiative’s Best Practices - 1999
First White House event for mentoring - 1999
First National Mentoring Month - 2002
Major federal-level funding available - 2003
SafetyNET pilot program - 2004
Association of Mentoring Professionals - 2007
First Summer Institute on Youth Mentoring – 2007
White House Mentoring Program Press Conference - 2010
Major federal-level funding continues - 2011
Friends for Youth’s 12th Annual Conference - 2011

Mentoring Program Models
One-to-one
Group
Team
Peer-to-peer or Cross-age
E-mentoring
EMT, 2002; MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, 2005

At the of
positive mentoring effects
is the
development of a strong relationship
between mentor and youth.
Grossman and Johnson, 1999

The relationshipis
the intervention.
Johnston, 2005

Mentoring as aDevelopmental Intervention
Mentoring addresses developmental task of attachment
Mentors must be appropriate supplemental attachment figures
Assessment is essential
Mentoring is resource-intensive
Mentors must receive adequate supports
Johnston, 2005

Mentoring within Relational Framework: Authenticity
“So I was like… not telling her anything. … I was telling her some stuff, yeah. But then we started seeing each other, so I’d tell her more stuff, like about me, and what I do and stuff like that.”
Shadow, a mentee
“He had to be real with me, you know. I can’t get close to nobody without them being real with me, you know… And without you being real with me, you can’t be close with me. … He brought it to me real, so I was like, okay.”
Demetrious, a mentee
Spencer, 2006

Mentoring within Relational Framework: Empathy
“Um…she is…a bright light. She really is, I mean, she’s just…she’s got a good heart. She knows right and wrong. Although she doesn’t always follow through. But I mean, heck, who didn’t do that when they were a teenager, you know? …I think that she definitely does like to push the envelope, test the limits, …which I think goes along with being a teenager…but as far as like…like her… her core… like I think everybody has a core, you know?”
Sophie, a mentor
Spencer, 2006

Mentoring within Relational Framework: Collaboration
“He supports me in like, he asks me… what I’ve been doing in like, science since I like science a lot. And what I’ve been doing in math and it supports me… to do more work in science and math and other subjects.”
JaShawn, a mentee
“I’d talk to him on Monday and he’d say oh, I can’t wait for Saturday. He just really hated school.”
Wolfgang, a mentor
Spencer, 2006

Mentoring within Relational Framework: Companionship
“He’s my best, best, best friend.”
Maurice, a mentee
“Until I have to go buy him adult diapers for an old folks home.”
Shaggy, a mentee
“I just really like him and I enjoy spending time with him… and now five hours goes by like nothing… it’s become very easy.”
Frank, a mentor
“The best part is being together and being with Frank.”
T.K. Williams, Frank’s mentee
Spencer, 2006

Mentoring supportsResiliency Research
“Research finds that resilient youth - those who successfully transition from risk-filled backgrounds to the adult world of work and good citizenship - are consistently distinguished by the presence of a caring adult in their lives.”
Cavell, DuBois, Karcher, Keller, Rhodes 2009

Resilience
Capacity to spring back and rebound
Ability to successfully adapt in face of adversity
Possibility of developing social competence despite exposure to severe stress
Colby Rivkin & Hoopman

Kauai Longitudinal Study
Werner & Smith studied cohort (210) of children from Kauai, Hawaii
Risk factors: poverty; perinatal health factors; low-educated mothers; familial alcoholism, violence, instability, discord, mental illness
Follow up surveys at 1, 2, 10, 18, 32, 40
Two-thirds exhibited destructive behaviors in later teen years - chronic unemployment, substance abuse, and out-of-wedlock births
One-third did not exhibit destructive behaviors – “resilient”
Resilient children and families had traits different from non-resilient children and families

Protective Factors
CARING AND SUPPORT: Described someone to whom they felt important, whom they felt knew them and believed in them
HIGH EXPECTATIONS: Had responsibilities, including “required acts of helpfulness”
YOUTH PARTICIPATION: Possess belief that odds can be overcome and have some control over own future
Benard, 1991; Werner 1990

I see what is right with you,
no matter what you have done in the past,
no matter what problems you currently face.
Your strengths are more powerful than your “risks.”
And whatever risks, problems, or adversity
you are facing are steps on the road to bouncing back - they are not the end of the road!
Henderson, 1997
Resiliency Attitude

Mentoring Impacts
Young persons who lack a strong relationship with a caring adult while growing up are much more vulnerable to a host of difficulties, ranging from academic failure to involvement in serious risk behaviors.
Cavell, DuBois, Karcher, Keller, & Rhodes 2009
February 2009 National Policy Brief

Mentoring Impacts
“Youth who participate in mentoring relationships experience positive benefits:
Better school attendance and attitude
Better chance of higher education
Help in preventing substance abuse
Reduce negative risk behaviors
More positive social attitudes and relationships
Trust and communicate more with parents
Experience more emotional support from friends
Child Trends Research Brief, 2005

Mentoring Impacts
“Successful mentoring…has been shown to have a positive effect on some forms of delinquent behavior, including skipping school and skipping class, initiating alcohol and drug use, and getting in physical fights.
Bauldry, 2006

Mentoring Impacts
. . . growing number of studies which find significant associations between youth’s involvement in mentoring relationships and positive developmental outcomes, including reduced delinquency and gang involvement and improved academic performance and attendance.
Rhodes and DuBois2008

Safe & Effective Mentoring

Effective Programming
“Research does NOT indicate that
ANY mentoring relationship or program produces benefits.”
Sipe, 1998
“Good intentions and a ready corps of volunteers are not enough to deliver an effective youth mentoring program -
a solid infrastructure is essential.”

Effective Programming
Engaging in Social Activities
Engaging in Academic/Learning Activities
Time Commitment and Relationship Duration & Closure
Youth Involvement in Decision Making
Matching Practices
Pre-match Training
Post-match Training, Monitoring, and Support
Age of Mentee
Mentor Screening
Sipe and Roder, 1999

Ineffective Programming
“Mentor practices that lead
to a disappointing relationship
can have an adverse effect,
eroding a youth’s self-esteem
and trust in adults.”
Grossman and Rhodes, 1999

Ineffective Programming
Grossman and Rhodes, 2001

Recommended Best Practices
Mission Statement and Long Range Plan
Recruitment Plan for Mentors and Mentees
Customized Orientations for Mentors and Mentees
Eligibility Screening/Application Process for Mentors and Mentees
Training Curriculum for Mentors and Mentees
Matching Strategy
Monitoring Process
Support, Recognition, and Retention Component
Relationship Closure Steps
Evaluation Process
California Governor’s Mentoring Partnership, 2002

Evidence-Based Best Practices
Target children and youth most likely to benefit
Use rigorous screening and training processes for mentors
Clearly state program goals and expectations to all
Develop activities to facilitate mentor-youth relationship
Provide consistent ongoing support for mentors to strengthen relationships and minimize early termination
Support and involve parents
Use systematic monitoring and evaluation in order to improve quality of services

Promising Practices
Youth Participation in Program Voluntary
Involve Youth in Planning and Mentoring Process
Mentor Selection for Safety
Mentor Selection for Quality
Community of Caring Approach
Asset Building
Friends for Youth, 2010

Foundations of Successful Youth Mentoring
http://educationnorthwest.org/resource/360

Elements of Effective Practice, 3rd Edition
http://www.mentoring.org/program_resources/elements_and_toolkits

Our vision: Transforming lives through the power of mentoring relationships
Our mission: Creating quality mentoring relationships for youth who need them most

Achievements in Field
31 years of direct service + 12 years of support service
Winner 2008 NMM ReelPeople Project - Jennifer & Iliana
California Governor’s Mentoring Partnership’s Recommended Best Practices contributor
Becky Cooper named Mentoring Expert in California
Mentoring Consultants for CARS, MENTOR, NMC, MANY
10 years of annual mentoring conferences
MENTOR’sNational Working Group on Accreditation
Summer Institute of Youth Mentoring at Portland State University

Programs
Mentoring Services creates and sustains community-based, long-term one-to-one relationships
since 1979
Mentoring Institute disseminates information to the mentoring community on safe and effective practices
since 1998

Mentoring Services
8 - 17 years old
San Mateo & Santa Clara Counties
Referred by youth professionals
Identified as needing positive, supportive adult & at risk of not reaching full potential because of challenges in community, family, or school environment
Parent support & voluntary participation
Junior Friends

Mentoring Services
Senior Friends
22+ years old
Live/work in or near San Mateo/Santa Clara Counties
Desire to make difference in life of young person
Able to make 3 hours per week commitment for 1 year
Successfully completes application process

Mentoring Services
Friendships
1:1 or 2:1 matches (couples)
Average 3 hours/week for 1 year
Meet on own time in community with variety of activities
Program Coordinators monitor Friendship (20-25 matches max)
3-month & 12-month Reviews, incl. parents
4 group activities
Recreational
Learning/Academic
Community Service
Life Skill Workshop
1 Senior Friend Group

Friends for Youth’s Impact
Nearly 1,800 matches
88% overall success rate of mentors and mentees reaching one year together
Program Coordinator contacts
1x/week for first 3 months + 2x/weeks for remainder (Senior Friends)
1x/month (Junior Friends + parents/caregivers)
Junior Friend Evaluation outcomes
Developed by Cindy Sipe, Ph.D.
Evaluation by William Lapp, Ph.D.
Nearly 10 years of data on matches

5 Outcome Areas
Increase in involvement in school (attendance, truancy, attitude, grades, suspensions)
Reduce risk behaviors (drug/alcohol use, police involvement, probation)
Increase positive behaviors (community service, new activities)
Increase opportunities to influence future potential (office visits, talking about college & career with adult)
Improve self-concept (trusting relationships, self-assuredness, self-reliance, handle unexpected problems)

Friends for Youth’s Impact
After 12-month period, youth made significant changes
Improved school attendance: 81% reported not skipping school at all & 75% reported avoiding suspensions
Improved attitude toward school: 100% showed positive change in at least 1 aspect & 69% showed positive change in 2 or more aspects
Reduction in risk behaviors: reduced self-reported incidents of police involvement (13% vs. 28%), stealing (4% vs. 23%), hurting others (12% vs. 32%); alcohol & drug use decreased in time & showed delay in starting use
Increase in positive behaviors: 87% participated in community service project vs. 35% at start; significant increase in new activities
Improved self esteem: 95% reported increase in at least 1 aspect of self-esteem & 63%reported increase in all 3 aspects
Increase in number of trusting relationships with family, peers, & other adults: nearly 90% reported positive overall change
Lapp 2009 (2007-2009 results)

Resources for Organizations

Mentoring Institute Products

"One of the most comprehensive and scholarly publications that addresses the need to insure maximum protection for individuals involved in mentoring programs. The document will serve well to guide professionals in the field of mentoring.”
Susan Weinberger, Dr. Mentor
Cited as an initiative to promote program quality in the field in 2009 Policy Brief Cavell, DuBois, Karcher, Keller, Rhodes 2009

“Friends for Youth’s Mentoring Journal is the most sophisticated and creative tool I’ve seen for structuring and documenting the life of a match. When fully utilized by mentors, the Mentoring Journal appears to provide a flexible, fun, and engaging mentoring activity, especially for older teens with whom it can be quite difficult to establish a connection. With sufficient training, support, and encouragement from program staff in its use, the Mentoring Journal may prove to be a valuable resource for community- and school-based matches alike.”
Michael Karcher, Ed.D., Ph.D.

Mentoring Institute Training
Mentoring 101:
Core Principles & Practices
Going Beyond the Background Check: Incorporating SAFE Practices
Mentor and Mentee Training
Specialty Trainings

Mentoring Institute Conference
12th Annual Mentoring Conference
Share What You Know: Collaboration and Networking in Youth Mentoring
January 27-28, 2011
Oracle Conference Center

Mentoring Institute Coalitions
Mentoring
Coalition of
San Mateo
County
(ACAT)

Mentoring Institute Networking
National
Mentoring
Center

Summary

“Positive relationships
are seen as the primary way
that mentoring
leads to improved outcomes
for youth who are mentored.”
Nation, Keener, Wandersman, & DuBois, 2005

My Mentor by Karla Sagastume, mentee matched in 2000
The day you walked into my house
I had a great feeling that my life would stop falling apart.
I could not wait for our friendship to start.
The memories began to roll and soon our hard shells began to break away.
We were not afraid to speak our minds or tell what was in our hearts.
My mentor, my friend, the one I can confide in.
She’ll help me if I’m in a jam and need a helping hand.
She’s the award of the year, the first prize, the one of gold.
The priceless gift of friendship that she gives.
My mentor has changed my life.
From now until 4ever.
My mentor is my 4ever friend.
And 4ever has no end.
Robin & Karla (2000)

Questions?

IS an effective intervention
Increasing interest in learning
Prevention of or delaying use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
Decreasing other negative risk behaviors
Increasing positive behaviors and experiences
Bringing hope for the future
Increasing social/emotional skills

IS NOT easy or cheap
Strong infrastructure
Professional and trained staff
Screening and monitoring
Support and activities for mentors and mentees
Sustainable funding

Thank you!
Slides posted to SlideShare:
http://www.slideshare.net/sarahmentoring/successful-youth-mentoring-practices

www.mentoringinstitute.org
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Successful Youth Mentoring Practices

by Friends for Youth, Inc. on Sep 28, 2010

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Successful Youth Mentoring Practices — Presentation Transcript