Expand mentoring services for children and youth in Rockland County, NY

Big Brother Big Sisters of Rockland County will expand its mentoring program called RAMP (Rockland Alive Mentoring Program) to improve academic performance measures of a greater number of youth who are negatively impacted by opioids and drug abuse. RAMP targets middle school and high school students in Rockland County who are currently abusing/misusing, have abused/misused, are at-risk of abusing/misusing, or relationally connected to others who are abusing/misusing opioids. To enhance the mentoring program, BBBS of RC has developed a plan to increase capacity, increase the number of trained mentors, and expand its evidence-based mentoring program tailored to the needs of the identified target population. The goal is to improve the academic performance and related school outcomes for youth impacted by opioids and methamphetamines and drug addiction, including high school graduation rates and school dropout rates. Objectives include the following: Match trained mentors with at least 125 youth over the three years of the project, with 35 matches in the first year, 40 in the second and 50 matches in the third. Retain 85% of RAMP mentors who complete their training during the three-year project period. Track and record that 70% of youth will not drop out of school and, if applicable, will graduate from high school within five years or less. RAMP’s practices and processes are evidence based, according to research on Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Youth Mentoring programs.