Therapeutic Mentoring Plus is a mentoring program that uses a combination of an evidence based group curriculum along with 1:1 mentoring for children and youth with Serious Emotional Disturbances.

While research indicates that quality mentoring is a promising delinquency prevention technique, certain program characteristics and elements are moderators of its effectiveness. This solicitation invites eligible applicants to propose evidence-based enhancements that are among these moderators of program effectiveness. The three strategies include: (1) involving the parents in activities or services, (2) providing structured activities and programs for the mentoring matches, and (3) developing and implementing on-going training and support for mentors. This initiative is authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010, P.L. 111-117.

Metropolitan Family Services proposes Therapeutic Mentoring Plus, an enhancement to their 1:1 mentoring program, which will provide strategy 2 (enhancement) the delivery of structured activities and programs for mentoring matches.The project will integrate evidence based group curricula, "Anger Coping" for youth ages 9-13 and "Think First" for youth ages 13-16, with 1:1 mentoring to address anger management and increased problem solving with the goal of reducing juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, truancy and high-risk behaviors. Therapeutic Mentoring Plus will be provided to children and youth with Serious Emotional Disturbances. The series will engage youth in goal setting, role plays, videotapes, and cognitive remediation strategies so they can better manage their anger and develop problem-solving skills. Performance data will be gathered and reported to OJJDP on a quarterly basis.
CA/NCF