4-H Tribal Youth National Mentoring Program

The Tribal Youth National Mentoring Program was established to support national initiatives that support the development, maturation, and expansion of community programs that provide mentoring services to tribal youth populations on tribal reservations of federally-recognized tribes across the nation that are underserved due to location, shortage of mentors, emotional or behavioral challenges of the targeted population, or other situations identified by the federally-recognized tribes. This program is authorized by the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011, Pub. L. 112-110.

National 4-H Council has a rich history of serving youth from varying cultures and circumstances. They proposes to adapt the Program of Distinction titled 4-H Mentoring: Youth and Families with Promise (4-H YFP) for replication in up to 29 tribal communities serving 1110 youth ages 10-17 within 18 months at a cost of $909 per child per year to operate. The goals are based on the primary problems for tribal youth corresponding to unemployment, dropout and gang involvement. Mentors will meet weekly with their mentees, for 1-2 hours. Mentors will engage in a variety of activities from homework completion to attending community events, sport events and other culture activities. Each program will be adapted to local customs. The 4-H YFP will encompass three key strategies designed to engage children, families and community mentors: one-to-one or group mentoring; 4-H Club activities and Family Night Out. This will be a year round project which will take place primarily on Indian Reservations in facilities such as schools or community buildings. The tribal communities to be targeted will depend on critical need and desire to collaborate. 4-H Council will use an online data management tool to provide a data collection and monitoring process for the Tribal Youth National Mentoring program. This tool is a part of a comprehensive data management process specifically designed with the understanding and knowledge that all grants require performance measures and reporting expectations.
CA/NCF