Amachi Category 2 Multi-State Enhancement Project

The Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative, Category 2 (Multi-State Mentoring Program) provides funding to support mentoring organizations in their efforts to strengthen and/or expand their existing mentoring activities within local chapters or sub-awardees (in at least 5 states but fewer than 45 states) to reduce juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, truancy, and other problem and high-risk behaviors. FY 2015 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. Programs are encouraged to target their mentoring services to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth; children of parents on active military duty; children of incarcerated parents; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth; youth with disabilities; and youth in rural communities. This program is authorized by the FY15(OJJDP Ment. Oppor Yth) Pub. L. No. 113-235; 128 Stat. 2130, 2195.

AMACHI, INC. will enhance the mentoring relationship between 1,000 new and 500 existing matches in five states, among underserved populations - especially two subgroups: children of incarcerated parents and young males of color - with the goal of building protective factors and ultimately bolstering positive outcomes and developmental trajectories for these 1,500 youth ages 9-17. These sub-grantees were selected based on their decade long record of serving at-risk, high-risk and underserved youth, and an interest is advancing evidence-based practices in the mentoring community. The program will implement effective evidence based practices around screening mentors, making matches based on similarities and differences in addition to interests and skills, structuring matches to last at least one year, providing mentor training, providing clear mentor expectations and follow-up monitoring and support, and designing the mentoring relationship for consistency. The program will also implement and evaluate three research-based enhancements--from the initial meeting to the end of the mentoring experience--resulting in higher quality relationships between mentors and mentees with the aim of developing a growth-fostering relationship. Progress will be measured through monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual reports from sub-recipients, and surveys. Sub-grantees will receive training and technical assistance on all the enhancement strategies. CA/NCF