Violence Free Zone Multi-state Mentoring Initiative

This solicitation invites eligible applicants to propose the enhancement or expansion of initiatives that will assist in the development and maturity of community programs to provide mentoring services to high-risk populations that are underserved due to location, shortage of mentors, special physical or mental challenges of the targeted population, or other analogous situations identified by the community in need of mentoring services. This program is authorized under the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117).

The goal of the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise Multi-State Mentoring Initiative Project is to expand and enhance the capacity of the Violence-Free Zone mentoring program to provide effective evidence-based mentoring services to high-risk underserved youth. CNE's objectives are (1) enhance the capacity of five local mentoring sites to better serve 1200 youth through additional training of more than 100 mentors and supervisory staff; and (2) increase mentoring program effectiveness by expanding program activities and supportive services to better serve 1200 youths at five sites. Activities to address these objectives include (a) local and national training of mentors, youth mentors, and VFZ supervisory staff; (b) expansion of full-time mentor staff to provide additional services; and (c) creation of new local activities and support services. Progress will be assessed using a series of output measures (e.g., program mentor retention rate, and percent of program mentors who successfully complete training) and outcome measures (e.g., percent of program youth who offend/reoffend; percent of program youth with improved prospects for further education and/or gainful employment; and reduced community crime. Progress data collected includes program, school and other records, and valid, reliable measures of key behavior outcomes used in the schools.
CA/NCF