Strategic Enhancement and Expansion of FLOW Mentoring Program in St. Mary's County Public Schools

This solicitation invites eligible applicants to propose research and evidence-based enhancements to mentoring programs based on three strategies: (1) involving the parents and family in activities and services, (2) delivering structured activities and programs for the mentoring matches, and (3) developing training and support for mentors. Research studies and evaluations of best practices have indicated that mentoring programs that provide multiple modes of treatment addressing both individual and environmental characteristics tend to be the most effective. This initiative is authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2009, Pub. L. No. 111-8.

St. Mary's County Public Schools will enhance their current mentoring program in this initiative's Focus Area 2 - adding or enhancing the structured activities or opportunities for the mentor and mentoring participants. St. Mary's County Public Schools, in partnership with St. Mary's County Department of Juvenile Services, Tri-County Youth Services, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maryland, St. Mary's County Business, Education and Community Alliance, Southern Maryland College Access Network, St. Mary's College of Maryland, and Big Brothers Big Sisters, propose enhancement and expansion of their Future Leaders of the World (FLOW) Mentoring Program. Their existing program matches caring community members with students who are already involved in the juvenile justice system or most at-risk of becoming involved in juvenile crime, dropping out of school, and/or abusing drugs and alcohol. Mary's County Public Schools proposes an expansion of their middle and high school programs to serve more of the disadvantaged and underserved youth in their community. They also propose a strategic enhancement of their existing program to include structured activities focused on the topics of social and emotional skills development, community involvement, leadership training, job readiness, career possibilities, and exposure to new opportunities and experiences. The evaluation strategy will determine if objectives for the expansion and enhancement of the middle and high school programs are being achieved and to what degree the population served is benefitting from being in the program. Both quantitative and qualitative data will be collected on each mentee. CA/NCF