Youth Collaboratory Mentoring Program

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 (specifically opioid abuse), truancy, and other problem and high-risk behaviors. FY 2019 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; youth with disabilities; youth with opioid/substance abuse problems; and youth in rural communities. This program is authorized and funded pursuant to Pub L. No. 116-6, 133 Stat. 13, 115.

Youth Collaboratory (formerly MANY) will partner with 14 competitively selected Mentoring+ (M+) chapters, offering services through 77 sites in 14 states to improve positive outcomes for youth who are at risk for delinquency or victimization and/or are involved in the juvenile justice system through quality mentoring services that increase youths’ resilience to individual, social, and environmental risk factors that can lead to juvenile delinquency or victimization. The target population also includes youth impacted by homelessness, parental incarceration, opioids and other drugs, human trafficking and exploitation, the child welfare system, and living in rural communities. The objectives of the program are to (1) expand direct one-on-one community-based mentoring services to the target population of youth at risk and at high risk in 14 states; and (2) strengthen protective factors that support resilience by enhancing mentoring services for youth using research-based strategies. The Mentoring+ model is based on a Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach, and requires rigorous standards that align with or exceed the standards described in the fourth edition of the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring. The activities planned for achieving the goals and objectives include: (1) incorporating enhancements into the six core areas of mentoring practice, (2) providing ongoing one-on-one community-based mentoring, (3) providing ongoing training for staff, (4) offering enhanced development opportunities for mentors, (5) providing enhanced monitoring and support through structured activities, and (6) improving engagement with parents and caregivers. To measure progress, the 14 M+ chapters will collect data responsive to OJJDP performance measures, outcomes, and program objectives using various tools. No portion of the budget will be used to conduct research. CA/NCF