Foster Youth Independence Mentoring Program

One of the major challenges that foster care children often face in their personal development is the lack of the involvement of a consistent, caring adult in their lives. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) will assist communities in establishing or expanding mentoring and support services for youth in foster care and foster care youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The legislative authority for this initiative can be found in the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2009, Pub. L. 111-8.

The Fostering Youth Independence (FYI) Mentoring Program will serve at least
100 youth in foster care. Program goals include: engage foster youth in mentoring; reduce juvenile delinquency; improve school attendance and performance; reduce placement disruptions; and develop skills and resiliencies to support successful transition. Goals and objectives will be met via a comprehensive youth mentoring program that combines the following best practices: mentors with experience and interest with target population; intensive mentor training, ongoing mentor supervision and support; bi-monthly one-on-one mentor sessions; strong personal mentor-youth relationship; long term commitment by both mentor/youth; and focus on goal setting, positive choices and connection to resources related to employment, education, and positive recreation. CA/NCF