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GOAL:
The goal of a peer
mentoring program is to strengthen interpersonal relationships and
increase social support networks for foster youth. Assisting foster
youth to develop healthy connections with their mentor and with other
youth and young adults involved in the program will help stabilize and
strengthen the life of a young person in foster care, as well as develop
leadership skills in the young adult mentor.
MENTORS:
The mentors are young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 who have had
personal experience in the foster care system as a child. These mentors
live in the area, and are presently working or continuing their
education after high school. Once potential mentors are identified, they
are carefully screened before becoming a mentor. All mentors must submit
an application and interest survey, have a BCI&I check, and be
interviewed by a program staff member. Mentors must be willing to commit
to the program for one year, and be highly motivated to be a positive
role model for a foster youth.
MENTEES:
The mentees are youth between the ages of 10 and 13 who are currently in
the foster care system and in the custody of Children Services. Mentees
must be willing to commit to being mentored for one year, and the foster
parents must be willing to support the youth in this endeavor.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
In late 2007, Shari Amigo, an Ohio State University MSW Student Intern
with PCSAO, submitted a grant application to CWLA as part of their Peer
Mentoring Program. As part of her internship, and with the benefit of
CWLA support, Ms. Amigo developed a wealth of materials to implement
such a program, and we offer them to you now – feel free to use, adapt,
or evolve for your own program. The value of any mentoring program for
foster youth, is undisputed. As a statewide membership organization
focused on policy, excellence in workforce, program development, etc.
(vs. direct service), PCSAO discovered that our talent was not in
program implementation. Many thanks to Shari Amigo, and good luck to
you in your efforts to create mentoring opportunities for our youth.
Suggested
Program Activities:
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Initial
training for peer mentors and mentees. Mentors
receive 5 hours of initial training to assist them in becoming a
successful mentor. (Mentors are given a $50 stipend for attending
the training) Mentees also participate in a 2 hour initial training
to learn about the peer mentoring program and their responsibilities
in the mentoring relationship.
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Bi-weekly group
activities. This includes numerous fun activities and
events, a group training session, and a yearly appreciation banquet.
These activities allow for individual time for the mentor/mentee, as
well as positive group interaction. (Mentors receive a $25 stipend
per month to assist in transportation or other costs. Caregivers are
given a $20 gift card each month to assist in transportation costs
for the mentees.)
-
Ongoing training
for mentors. The Mentoring Center of Ohio offers two
additional training sessions each year for the mentors to assist
them in developing their mentoring skills. These trainings are 2
hours in length. An additional training session includes both
mentors and mentees to address goal setting.
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Ongoing support for mentors.
Program staff support the mentors by contacting each mentor on a
bi-weekly basis, and offering assistance when needed.
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Monthly contact by staff with mentee and mentees caregiver.
Staff contact the mentee and the caregiver once a month to deal with
any concerns they may have about the mentor relationship or the
program.
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