In-School Mentoring Program
 

Overview

The In-School Mentoring Program began in the 2013/2014 school year. This Public School Partnership was developed as a means of social outreach to the community, schools, students and their families. CSDN's "In-School Mentoring Program" is modeled after a research-based national initiative that has been proven to result in measurable success. The main focus of this program is to provide school-based mentoring services to boys’ ages 10-17 years old. This program will be supported by CSDN’s Community and Family Support Services initiative as well as partnerships with businesses and organizations that will provide services to the families of the youth in our school-based mentoring program.

The core of the In-School Mentoring Program is promoting healthy school and home interactions to maximize student success, providing a training and development designed to bridge the gap between the school, students and parents. The thrust of the In-School Mentoring Program is to provide solutions to the individual needs of at-risk students.  As such, mentors are placed in schools to supplement the education process and family support structures, addressing the academic and social development of public school youngsters.  The program offers a variety of activities for public school youth that include life skills lessons, games & sports, art/entertainment, snacks/food, discussions, guest speakers, and home visits.

Program Design

  • The purpose of the program is to target students at risk of leaving school early or who are socially isolated or failing to achieve their potential due to behavioral issues
  • The first year in a school we can mentor up to 15 youth. The goal is to increase the total number of public school youth we mentor each year as our resources and capabilities allow
  • We will also mentor at-risk youth who are in the “preventive” stage of their at-risk development (they don’t have severe behavioral problems)
  • CSDN’s mentoring program builds relationships with students in the context of friendship, tutoring, pro-social development(improved self-esteem, increased self-awareness, healthy social interactions, self-control and problem solving) and family involvement
  • We will also emphasize the following, when appropriate: stay-in-school, no drugs or alcohol, no violence and sexual abstinence
  • The School-based Mentoring program will be supported by CSDN’s “Community and Family Support Service Centers” initiative
  • The mentoring program and activities will provide character building, educational and leadership development, and community service opportunities
  • The mentors will provide at-home visits
  • The “Family Support Services” initiatives will provide social services, programs, classes, and workshops to the mentee’s family
  • CSDN’s goal is to be able to work with the same students through their elementary, middle and high school years.

Measurable Objectives, Goals & Measurable Outcomes

Objectives

  • To place caring, competent, and consistent adults as mentors in public schools
  • To have mentees demonstrate an increase in pro-social skills or competencies that protect them from a wide range of risk-taking behaviors that lead to substance use/abuse; violence/gang activity; and out-of-wedlock pregnancy.
  • To have mentees demonstrate an increase in reading, math and/or writing and a stronger commitment to school; consequently reducing academic failure and school drop-out among students
  • To have mentees master new skills and develop a sense of belonging and bonding among peers, family and community; thereby reducing anti-social behavior and alienation within their environments
  • To give students and their families access to CSDN’s Community and Family Support Services offering, a continuum of much-needed services that address critical social, financial and health needs.
  • To develop meaningful partnerships with families, schools and the community, resulting in long-term, sustainable change.

Goal

  • CSDN’s short term goal is to always have at least 30 youngsters and 6 mentors in the school-based mentoring program at all times using a group and/or team mentoring design

Outcomes

  • Better attitudes toward their parents, peers and teachers
  • Improved school attendance and academic performance
  • Less involvement in activities that lead to destructive behaviors
  • Development of new skills and habits that lead to good morals and responsible decision-making
  • More likely to trust their teachers
  • Improved relationships with adults, and peers
  • Better able to express their feelings
  • Higher levels of self-confidence

Mentee Selection
 School-based mentoring is primarily a prevention program, which means children and youth selected for mentoring have high to moderate behavioral issues. Severely behaved students require more specialized intervention that mentors are not able to provide. Typically, the characteristics of students that participate in school-based mentoring include:

  • Behind in academics
  • Minority youth
  • Boys
  • Single parent home
  • Recently changed schools
  • Aggressive & disruptive with behavioral issues
  • Low self-esteem
  • Family dysfunction

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