Youth Collaboratory Mentoring+ Initiative

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 2020 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 children of parents on active military duty; children of incarcerated parents; youth with opioid/substance abuse problems; youth that experience bullying (including cyberbullying); and youth in rural communities. This program is authorized and funded pursuant to Pub. L. No. 116-93, 133 Stat. 2317, 2410. Youth Collaboratory will partner with 10 competitively selected Mentoring+ (M+) chapters offering services through 176 sites in 9 states. The purpose/goal of the program is 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. The target population also includes youth impacted by bullying, 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 our target population of 836 at-risk and high-risk youth in 9 states, (2) strengthen protective factors supporting resiliency by enhancing mentoring services with evidence-based strategies for 836 youth, and (3) promote family engagement in the mentoring program and match. The M+ model is based on a Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach, and requires a set of rigorous standards that align with or exceed the standards described in the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring. The activities to achieve the goals and objectives include incorporating enhancements into the six core areas of mentoring practice, providing ongoing one-on-one community-based mentoring (including e-mentoring), providing ongoing training for staff on enhancements, offering enhanced development opportunities to mentors, providing enhanced monitoring and supports through structured activities, and improving engagement with parents/caregivers. No portion of the budget will be used to conduct research.