Peer Group Connection: Expanding and Enhancing a Peer Group Mentoring and High School Transition Program to Serve At-Risk Youth

The Multi-State Mentoring Program provides funding to support established mentoring organizations in their efforts to strengthen and/or expand their existing mentoring activities within local chapters or sub-awardees in five or more states to reduce juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, truancy, and other problem and high-risk behaviors. FY 2014 funding will address the factors that can lead to or serve as a catalyst for delinquency or other problem behaviors in underserved youth, including youth in high-risk environments, children of incarcerated parents and tribal youth. The program is comprised of three categories: Category 1 for organizations implementing one-on-one mentoring programs, Category 2 for Group mentoring programs and Category 3 for a combination of both one-on-one and group mentoring.

The Center for Supportive Schools will combine one-on-one mentoring with a group mentoring component. The proposed project will expand and enhance an evidence-based high school transition and peer group mentoring program, known as Peer Group Connection (PGC). PGC immerses freshmen in safe and supportive groups led by older peer mentors, thereby contributing to a school environment that enables and inspires students to come to school ready to learn, achieve, and graduate, prepared for the rigors of college and employment. CA/NCF