Community Outreach Mentoring Program (COMP)

This program supports the enhancement or expansion of initiatives that will help communities develop or improve mentoring programs for at-risk or 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 that the community identifies. This program is authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2012; Pub. L. 112-55, 125 Stat. 552, 617.

Community Outreach Mentoring Program (COMP) is proposing a multi-state comprehensive, coordinated, and integrated positive role modeling initiative that will build strong healthy mentoring relationships. Evidence-based models that promote character development, reduce juvenile delinquency, crime, school dropout and related risk factors will be adapted. The project will target 300 at-risk underserved youth under 18 years of age. Each site will serve a minimum of 50 youth after-school and during the summer months in a five-state area of: Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, and Florida. COMP's goals are to: 1) to deliver structured mentoring activities; 2) to reduce juvenile delinquency; 3) to improve academic performance; 4) to reduce school drop-out rates; 5) recruit, train and retain mentors for at-risk youth; and 6) enhance the capacity of local efforts by expanding community collaborations. All COMP activities will be delivered in a learning environment that supports students ability to accomplish their academic goals and reduce juvenile delinquency, gang participation, and school dropout rates. Performance measures include engaging 100% of selected youth; 70% of enrolled K-12 youth will not be involved in delinquent activities while participating in the program; 75% of the enrolled students' grades will improve as evidenced by their school progress reports; 70% of the enrolled students will remain in school; 70% of recruited and trained mentors will remain involved in the program; and 90% of the community partners will continue collaborative efforts throughout the duration of the grant.

CA/NCF