1996 and 1997
Juvenile Mentoring Program
The Juvenile Mentoring Program (JUMP) encompasses 93 programs across the country that provide adult mentors to thousands of young people. Mentors work one-on-one with youth who are at risk of educational failure, school dropout, and involvement in delinquent activities, including gangs and drugs. Mentors in JUMP come from all walks of life. They include law enforcement officers, college students, senior citizens, military personnel, business people, doctors, lawyers, government employees, and teachers. OJJDP originally funded 41 sites in 1995 using 1994 and 1995 funds totaling $6.8 million. Because of the high interest in JUMP and the quality of applications, OJJDP again combined funds (from 1996 and 1997) and awarded an additional 52 sites a total of $9.8 million. The awards are for a 3-year period.
OJJDP released a Bulletin in 1997 that examined the impact of mentoring programs run by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The evaluation found that youth involved in mentoring programs were less likely to experiment with alcohol and drugs, less likely to hit someone, and less likely to skip school than youth not participating in such programs. Mentoring -- A Proven Delinquency Prevention Strategy is available from JJC.
The Office awarded a grant in 1997 to Information Technology International of Bethesda, MD, to conduct an evaluation of the JUMP program.
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| OJJDP Annual Report | August 1998 |