Community Outreach Mentoring Program (COMP)

Campti Community Development Center’s site projects are in the state of Louisiana and include five parishes: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Natchitoches, and Webster. The target population is at-risk underserved youth under the age of 17 and their families who are currently using opioids or impacted by opioid misuse. Target youth reside in rural, urban, and metropolitan areas. The project’s goals are to (1) deliver structured mentoring activities; (2) reduce juvenile delinquency; (3) improve academic performance; (4) reduce school dropout; (5) recruit, train, and retain mentors for at-risk underserved youth; (6) create and implement a public awareness campaign to increase awareness of opioid/drug misuse harm; and (7) enhance the capacity of local efforts by expanding community collaborations. The project’s objectives are: 100 percent of youth enrolled will be exposed to positive mentors, 70 to 80 percent of enrolled K-12 youth will not be involved in criminal activities while participating in the program, 75 percent or more of the enrolled students' grades will improve as evidenced by progress reports, 80 percent of the enrolled students will remain in school, 80 percent of recruited and trained mentors will remain involved in the program, increase awareness among students about risks associated with opioid/drug misuse, and 80 percent of the community partners will remain in collaborative efforts throughout the duration of the grant.

COMP proposes to operate a comprehensive, coordinated, and integrated positive role modeling initiative that will build strong healthy mentoring relationships. The project will utilize three evidence-based program curricula that can be easily replicated and effective in promoting character development and reducing delinquency, crime, school dropout, and related risk factors. Partnerships: Parents, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Juvenile Courts, Probation Officers, Attorneys, School Systems, Community-Based and Faith-Based Organizations.

The proposed project will serve at-risk underserved youth under the age of 17. Services will be provided in schools, afterschool programs, some Saturdays, and holidays throughout the year for a period of three years, or throughout the duration of the grant period. All activities will be delivered in a youth-centered approach in an enriching and nurturing learning environment so students will be able to accomplish their academic goals. The project expects to meet and exceed program short-term and intermediate outcomes to increase knowledge, skills, and attitudes of participants, thereby reducing juvenile delinquency/crime, gang participation, and school dropout and improve academic performance.