Transcript Individualized Alternative Programs

Developing Community Based
Mentoring Programs for At Risk Youth
Jason Beard, MS – Mentoring Services Manager
Jonathan LaGrone, MA – Mentoring Program Coordinator
Mark Grzeskowiak, MAT, CRJ – Mentoring Program Coordinator
Cassandra Grant, MA – Mentoring Program Coordinator
www.care4kids.org
Children’s Foundation of Mid-America
1914
2012
HISTORY OF AGENCY:
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Began as an orphanage for underprivileged youth in 1914 – Farmington, MO.
Current services include residential facilities, in-home counseling, foster care
case management, independent living program, intensive in-home services,
individualized alternative programs, senior solutions, and IT services.
2002 – Therapeutic Mentoring Program was developed.
To date, the mentoring program has served over 2,000 youth throughout the
state of Missouri.
Understanding the need of the surrounding
community and identifying the target population
Targeted factors:
• Delinquency issues (i.e., truancy, drug abuse, gang involvement, etc.)
• Mental health
• Education (i.e., school drop-out, alternative school, multiple suspensions,
bullying, etc.)
• Economic issues (i.e., unemployment, single parent income, housing, etc.)
• Health factors (i.e., teen pregnancy, STD’s, hygiene, dental, obesity, etc.)
Understanding the need of the surrounding community
and identifying the target population, cont’d.
Certain zip codes experience a higher rate of risk factors than others:
Developing Professional Collaborations
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School Districts
Child Welfare Agencies
Juvenile Court Systems
Drug Treatment Programs
Therapist
Counselors
Department of Mental Health
Each collaborative partner connects our program with youth that have one or more
risk factors.
Tracking Program Outcomes
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C-GAS (Children’s Global Assessment Scale) – Pre & Post Test
Family Outcome Survey – Pre & Post Test
Child Outcome Survey – Pre & Post Test
Client Satisfaction Survey
Intake Assessment (Gives us geographic info. such as race, age, sex, geographic
location needs, mental health needs, other current services, and religion).
• Productivity Report (Tracks number of youth served per week, month and year
by mentor).
• Client Case Note
• Discharge Summary (Tracks successful or unsuccessful completion of program).
C-GAS
Recruitment, Training and Development
Mentoring staff typically recruited through the following methods:
• Human Resources – via agency website www.care4kids.org
• Social Media - (Facebook and Twitter)
• Traditional Print Media - (Newspaper)
• Missouri Career Center
• Staff/Agency Referrals
• Local Colleges and Universities
The ideal mentor candidate will have more than 2 years experience in the
following areas:
• Education, Human Services or Social Science Field
• Each candidate undergoes an extensive background screen.
Recruitment, Training and Development cont’d.
Each mentor goes through orientation, and on-going development
training, which includes:
• Forms and computer training
• SAMA (Saltori Alternatives to Managing Aggression)– Sections I & II (Verbal
De-escalation)
• Cultural Diversity Training
• Mental Health First Aid
• Traditional CPR
• Mentoring Central (Online Interactive Training)
• External Agency Training
• Monthly Staff Trainings (Guest Speakers, Mentor Presentations, Staffing
Cases)
• One on One Consultations/Supervision with Mentor Coordinator (retention)
Mentor Orientation Training
• Welcome and introduction - (Includes purpose, history, philosophy and
vision of the organization)
• Mentor guidelines and code of conduct:
– Responsibilities to the client, agency, referring agent and family
– Role as a mentor (Redirection, Health and Safety, Activities and Program Rules)
– Stages of a Mentoring Relationship:
• Stage 1 – Developing Rapport and Building Trust
• Stage 2 – Reaching Goals
• Stage 3 – Closure
• Mentor/Mentee Termination Ritual:
– Reasons for termination
– Provide closure and opportunities for learning
www.Care4Kids.org
Mentor Orientation Training cont.’d
• Terminating Relationships:
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Closure
Celebrating successes
Setting new goals
Connecting to community resources
• FAMCare:
– Database system training
• Paperwork:
– Family Support Outcome Survey
– Mentor/Mentee Agreement
– Client Satisfaction Survey
www.Care4Kids.org
Effective Mentor/Mentee Matches
Mentors are matched with potential mentees using various factors:
• Geographical proximity (To promote more consistent mentor/mentee
contact)
• Mentor background and strengths (Educational Background, Teachers,
Lawyers, Law Enforcement, Licensed Therapist, Licensed Foster Parents,
Coaches, Grandparents, Community Leaders, Clergy, etc.)
• Ability to meet Mentee needs
Mentor/Mentee matches are regularly evaluated for effectiveness; matches
deemed ineffective will result in a Mentee rematch.
Data Storage
Our agency utilizes an online database system called
“FAMCare.” This database allows the mentor and program
coordinators to:
• Enter client contact information
• Track on-going outcome measures (C-GAS, Family Support Outcome
Study, Client Case Note, etc.)
• Produce electronic client files
• Produce various relevant monthly reports to collaborative
partners and funding sources
Quality Assurance
CFMA (Children’s Foundation of Mid-America) views quality
assurance as a vital component to the community-based
mentoring program. In addition to the various outcome
measures tracked by the program, we follow documented
standards established by two national accrediting bodies, and
one local government funding agency. COA (Council of
Accreditation), CARF (Commission on Accreditation of
Rehabilitation Facilities), and the St. Louis County Children’s
Service Fund.
Client Gender
34%
Male
66%
www.Care4Kids.org
Female
Race/Ethnicity
23%
African American
Bi-Racial
Caucasian
57%
18%
2%
www.Care4Kids.org
Unknown
Client Age
1%
1%
16%
3 to 5
38%
6 to 9
10 to 14
15 to 19
20 to 25
44%
www.Care4Kids.org
Outcome #1
85% of clients will have improved school engagement and performance
Unsuccessful 8%
Success
92%
www.Care4Kids.org
Outcome #2
90% of clients will have improved relationships with family members/caregivers
Unsuccessful
8%
Success
Unsuccessful
Success
92%
www.Care4Kids.org
Outcome #3
90% of clients will be free of substantiated incidents of child abuse or neglect
Success
Unsuccessful
100%
www.Care4Kids.org
Outcome #4
90% of clients will have no out-of-home placements (Alternative Care)
Unsuccessful
3%
Success
Unsuccessful
Success
97%
www.Care4Kids.org
Outcome #5
85% of clients will develop self-management skills
Unsuccessful
9%
Success
Unsuccessful
Success
91%
www.Care4Kids.org
Funding Sources
• St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund
• Lincoln County Resource Board
• Fee for Service Contracts
MACF, CPP, St. Louis Partners (Privatized
Foster Care Case Management); Family
Court of St. Louis City, Bridgeway Behavioral
Health
QUESTIONS
AND
COMMENTS