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AZ STARS Mentoring Enhancement Project

Award Information

Award #
2012-JU-FX-0032
Location
Congressional District
Status
Closed
Funding First Awarded
2012
Total funding (to date)
$1,200,000

Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2012, $400,000)

This demonstration program supports collaborations of qualified, established mentoring program sites that enhance (1) the matching of youth and mentors based on needs, skills, experiences, and interests; (2) initial and ongoing training for mentors, and (3) ongoing mentor support. The program aims to improve the effectiveness of mentoring through the systematic implementation of advocacy or teaching functions into mentors' roles. This program is authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2012, Pub. L. No. 112-55, 125 Stat. 552,617.

The Pima Prevention Partnership (PPP) will lead AZ STARS Collaboration in implementing enhanced mentoring services at three well-established Arizona Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) sites. Enhancements will augment existing evidence-based BBBS services for youth ages 11-15 using a research design yielding data from 40 intervention and 40 comparison matches at each site/year for three years (80 matches/site/year). AZ STARS will integrate teaching and advocacy functions into the roles of randomly assigned mentors in the three intervention groups. Enhancements will include initial in-person and ongoing online mentor training using a youth resilience framework; augmented one-to-one, group and social networking mentor support for the match duration; support in undertaking at least 4 mentee service learning activities throughout the year; and an enhanced matching process to reveal deeper compatibility by assessing areas of interest. Proposed enhancements will give mentors tools to help youth develop healthy bonding, relationships and beliefs, and clear standards. The project will participate in the OJJDP evaluation.
CA/NCF

Date Created: September 5, 2012