Transforming Youth Mentoring Approaches for Opioid and Substance Misuse

Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso proposes to implement the Transforming Youth Mentoring Approaches for Opioid and Substance Misuse Program. The purpose of this project is to deliver targeted mentoring services, with enhancing protective factors, to youth who are at risk or currently experiencing opioids and other substance misuse in El Paso County. Project activities include expanding the capacity of the existing mentoring program to provide high-quality services to youth at risk or currently experiencing opioids and other substance misuse; enhancing baseline mentor training for the target population and provide ongoing development and support after the initial training is complete; deploying mentoring services that utilize educational and support programming for youth and their families to address opioid or other substance misuse issues; and engaging youth and family members with lived experience as vital resources. Expected outcomes include the development of a multi-disciplinary approach to engage with youth who are at risk or currently experiencing opioids and other substance misuse in El Paso County; rapid response and targeted evidence-based group mentoring services; reduction in recidivism in youth who are at risk or currently experiencing opioids and other substance misuse in El Paso County; and regular program assessments. Subrecipient activities include enhanced mentor training, job preparation, educational and career exploration, and coordinated case management.