4-H Mentoring for Youth Affected by Opioid and Other Substance Misuse

Utah State University will administer the Utah 4-H Mentoring program, aimed at supporting youth and their families who are impacted by opioid and other substance misuse. The project will provide both one-on-one and group mentoring in an afterschool setting, directly serving approximately 350 youth annually who are affected by opioid misuse. The youth will range from fourth to eighth grade at the onset and can continue in the program until their high school graduation or until they reach age 17. The purpose of the Utah 4-H Mentoring program is to reduce delinquent behaviors and prevent the misuse of substances, with a broader goal of promoting positive outcomes for the youth involved. This will be achieved through the evidence-based 4-H Mentoring Youth & Families with Promise Model Program, which includes structured mentoring, enrichment activities such as 4-H club projects and camps, strong family engagement through workshops and family camps, and the establishment of a statewide youth and parent advisory council to involve families in the program's direction. These components are designed to strengthen family bonds and support the participants consistently throughout their involvement with the program. Expected outcomes of the project include a decrease in delinquent behavior and an increase in positive developmental outcomes for the youth and families served. These goals will be measured through the collection of OJJDP performance measures, an end-of-the-year statewide Utah 4-H impact survey, mentor reports, and attendance records at program activities.