Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2018, $500,000)
The Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative, Category 4 (Project Sites and Mentoring Strategies for Youth Impacted by Opioids)supports youth mentoring organizations that have a demonstrated partnership with a public or private substance abuse treatment agency. The focus of this category is to provide mentoring services as a part of a prevention, treatment and supportive approach for those youth impacted by opioids. This program is authorized and funded pursuant to Pub. L. No. 115-141, 132 Stat. 348, 423.
The primary goal of Connection Training Services (CTS) is to reduce the use of opioids by female and male youth ages 1417 in Philadelphia, PA. CTS plans to use mentoring and referral to treatment providers to reduce or eliminate youths opioid abuse and the impact on their lives from parents and caregivers opioid abuse. The program will (1) provide quality mentoring services tailored to the needs of youth in the target population; (2) align the mentoring program with research and evidence on effective mentoring practices; and (3) provide workforce development, job training, and skills building leading to employment and/or college or trade school. CTS will recruit 40 mentors and 100 eligible youth to be mentored for at least 1 year.
Anticipated program outcomes will include, but are not limited to, school attendance and performance, substance abuse treatment records of the youth and family members impacted by opioid abuse, job training, GED preparation, life skills training, cognitive-behavioral therapy and job preparation courses completed, jobs attained, colleges explored and applications submitted, trade school applications submitted, high school graduation, and changes in youth behavior. rimary partners for the proposed program will include Fairmount Behavioral Health for Cross-Referrals, Substance Abuse Treatment Cognitive, Merakey Treatment Centers, Gaudenzia House Treatment Centers and Sobriety Through Outpatient Treatment, VISIEN Ministries Parenting Programs, Community Legal Services, and other youth services providers.
CA/NCF