Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest Mentoring Expansion Project

This grant program is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) (the 'Recovery Act'). Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention made awards to support local organizations that develop, implement, or expand local mentoring programs leading to measurable, positive outcomes for at-risk youth. This program furthers the Department's mission by enhancing the capacity of local mentoring programs to develop and implement mentoring strategies to reduce juvenile delinquency and prevent violence.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest's 4 year Mentoring Expansion Project will provide jobs and expand mentor matches in Multnomah County, Oregon and Cowlitz County, Washington. This project will target at-risk youth and high-risk youth ages 6-17. Project will include the following services and activities: community outreach, volunteer and youth recruitment, selection and training; match monitoring; match evaluation; project data collection, entry and analysis; fiscal management and reporting. Goals: 1. Increase/stabilize agency jobs 2. Children will reach their potential through a meaningful relationship with an adult. Objectives: 1. Reinstate 2.0 FTE and prevent 1.0 FTE from being eliminated; 2. 125 mentees will be served annually for 4 years; 3. Involve at least 6 community partners. Short-term Outcomes: 1. Expand mentor services in 3 high need areas; 2. Provide essential services through collaborations; 3. Provide cost effective services. Intermediate outcomes: Retain 3.0 FTE jobs; 90% of mentees will avoid juvenile delinquency; 85% of mentees will report an improved attitude towards school; 100% of mentees will be served using an evidence-based program model. Measurement tools: 1.Agency Information Management System. 2.Program Outcome Evaluations. 3.Strength of Relationship Surveys. 4.Satisfaction surveys at key participant engagement points. CA/NCF