Mentoring - 2015 Multi-State Application

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.

The Mid-Atlantic Network of Youth & Family Services, Inc. (MANY) plans to strengthen and expand community-based, one-to-one mentoring activities serving youth and young adults at the highest risk for victimization and/or delinquency. The program will improve positive outcomes for youth at-risk and high-risk for involvement in the juvenile justice system (JJS) through quality mentoring services that increase youth’s resiliency. The two main objectives of this program are: 1) Expand community-based one-to-one mentoring services to 2,520 at-risk and high-risk youth ages 6-17 in 16 states (including children of incarcerated parents (COIP), and 2) strengthen protective factors supporting resiliency by enhancing mentoring services for 2,520 youth with research-based strategies that build protective factors. MANY has developed a key partnership with the Angel Tree program of Prison Fellowship Ministries and all funded programs provide mentoring services to COIP. Through this funding MANY will: 1) Provide ongoing training for mentors (and staff) through an online mentor toolkit, a "training of the trainer" for program staff, and virtual and in-person supports; 2) Provide additional mentor support through training activities and mentor events; and 3) Engage parents and families with quarterly recreational activities and program strategies to communicate, assess, and support family needs. Progress will be measured through monthly data collection and reporting, mentor training evaluations, results of the Strength of Relationship Survey. CA/NCF