Resources for New Mentoring Programs & New Staff Members

What is Mentor Michigan?

• A statewide partnership of 300 youth mentoring programs.

• Works to ensure that all youth have ongoing relationships with stable, caring individuals.

• Supports, strengthens and sustains mentoring throughout the state.

MM Programs and Activities

Mentor Recruitment and ReferralThe Mentor Michigan Directory

• Online resource

• Comprehensive list of mentoring programs in Michigan

Public Awareness

• Raises awareness of the value of mentoring

• Michigan Mentoring Month

• Need for mentors – especially male mentors

• Promotes mentoring as a critical solution to issues facing the state

MM Programs and Activities

Training and Technical Assistance

• Quality Standards for Youth Mentoring

• Mentor Michigan provides training and technical assistance for mentoring programs to help them meet these standards

MM Programs and Activities

Annual Conference

• Convenes mentoring professionals from across the state

• Brings in national mentoring leaders

• Training

• Networking

MM Programs and Activities

Research and Evaluation

Mentor Michigan Census• Annual survey

• Identify program needs

• Overall status of mentoring in Michigan

• Understand the scope and nature of mentoring and mentoring organizations in Michigan

MM Programs and Activities

MM Programs and Activities

Three key objectives:

1. Identify, count, describe, and track mentoring organizations, programs, mentors, and mentees.

2. Understand program components, processes, resources, and needs.

3. Encourage and support program evaluation.

Statewide Recognition

Governor’s Service Awards

• Annual volunteer recognition event

• Mentor of the Year

• Outstanding Mentoring Program

MM Programs and Activities

Quality Program Standards

• Developed by the Providers Council

• Not meant to certify or accredit mentoring programs

• Planning and assessment framework

Program Self-Assessment Checklist

• Strengths of program/organization

• Potential Improvement

• Components of quality mentoring

Standard 1: Definition of Youth Mentoring

The program defines mentoring as an ongoing, structured relationship with a trusted individual aimed at developing the competence and potential of the mentee.

Standard 1: Definition of Youth Mentoring

Community-based mentoring programs:

A minimum of one calendar year Meetings must occur several times each

month for a minimum of four (4) hours per month

School-based mentoring programs

Weekly contact between mentors and mentees that lasts for a minimum of one academic year

Standard 1: Definition of Youth Mentoring

A ratio of mentees to mentors of no more than 4:1 for group mentoring, which includes a consistent relationship between the one mentor and the same four mentees.

Standard 2: Recruitment Plan

• Comprehensive recruitment plan for mentors and mentees

• System for timely mentor and mentee follow-up and enrollment

Standard 3: Eligibility Screening

• The program screens mentors and mentees for eligibility

• Mentor and mentee applications and all relevant data are reviewed for eligibility and acceptance

Resources for Background Checks

• References• Criminal History Checks

– ICHAT (www.michigan.gov/ichat)– FBI Fingerprint Checks– SafetyNET (www.mentoring.org/safetynet)

• Sex Offender Registry• Michigan (www.mipsor.state.mi.us) • National (www.nsopr.gov)

• Child Abuse Registry (DHS)• County/Local Law Enforcement Agency • Driving Records

Standard 4: Orientation and Training

• The program provides each mentor, mentee, and parent/guardian of mentee orientation with training and support materials.

• Trained staff or volunteers conduct these sessions, which are held prior to the match.

Standard 5: Matching Strategy

The program has a well-documented matching strategy

Standard 6: Match Monitoring Process

The program maintains a process that monitors and supports mentoring matches

Standard 7: Mentor Support, Recognition, and Retention

The program supports mentoring relationships, recognizes volunteers, and has strategies for volunteer retention

Standard 8: Match Closure

The program has a process for effective match closure

Standard 9: Program Evaluation

The program conducts an evaluation process, which includes both process and outcome evaluations

Standard 10: Organizational Management

• The program has established organizational management practices

• Michigan Nonprofit Association– www.mnaonline.org

Standard 11: Governance

• The program has a governance structure that includes a volunteer (non-compensated) board of directors or advisory council

• Michigan Nonprofit Association– www.mnaonline.org

Mentor Michigan Listserv

Sign up to receive news, information, training opportunities, and funding opportunities

Mentor Michigan Calendar

• Up-to-date listing of Trainings, Workshops and Webinars offered

• Visit www.mentormichigan.org and click on “Training and Technical Assistance”

Mentor Michigan Directory

• Online resource

• Comprehensive list of mentoring programs in Michigan

• www.mentormichigan.org and click on “Directory of Mentoring Programs” on the left hand side of your screen

MentorPRO

• Online data tracking and analysis system

• Manage Programs, monitor mentoring Relationships, and Evaluate Outcomes

Caregiver’s Choice

• Federal funding stream to support matches between caring adults and children of prisoners

• Voucher-based system that provides up to $1,000 in federal funds to support new matches

• Mentoring programs must meet quality standards to be eligible to apply

Other Resources

• MENTOR: National Mentoring Partnership– www.mentoring.org– News, information, research, resources

• NWREL’s National Mentoring Center– http://www.nwrel.org/mentoring/index.php – Training, technical assistance, program

resources

• MSU Extension– http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/ment

or/

Mentor Michigan Staff

Amber TroupeMM Program Coordinatortroupea@michigan.gov (517) 241-3493

Kathie Vasilion Robinson Administrative Assistantvasilionk@michigan.gov(517) 373-4200

Elyse Walter Communication Coordinatorverberkmoese@michigan.gov(517) 241-0063

Ben GulkerMM Special Initiatives Associategulkerb@michigan.gov(517) 241-2716

Katy TimmerMM AmeriCorps*VISTAtimmerk@michigan.gov(517) 241-4784

www.mentormichigan.org

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