THE ROLE OF RISK Carla Herrera David DuBois Jean Grossman

Study framework The study addressed 4 questions: Can mentoring programs reach “higher-risk” youth? Does match quality differ depending on youth risk? Do the effects of mentoring vary with youth’s risk profile? What practices are needed to ensure effectiveness? Partnership between Washington State Mentors, P/PV & David DuBois

Design 7 agencies 5 BBBS 1 targeting higher-risk youth 1 university-based 2 study components Random assignment (2 agencies) Quasi-experimental (all 7 agencies)

The youth & their mentors 1,310 Youth 53% boys 43% white years old 915 Mentors 48% male 82% white 23% students

Defining “risk” ENVIRONMENTAL RISK Economic Adversity Gangs/drugs in neighborhood; Low income. Family Risk/Stress Child in foster care; Incarcerated parent/relative; Single-parent; Recent homelessness. Peer Difficulties Lack of any close friends; Being bullied. INDIVIDUAL RISK Academic Challenges Failing two or more classes; Frequent school absences. Problem Behavior Drug/alcohol use; Multiple school suspensions; Police contact; Bullies others. Mental Health Concerns Depressive symptoms; Mental health issues.

Who were the youth? ChallengeStudy Youth Youth Nationally BBBSA Live in single-parent household66%34%71% Annual income below $20,00043%22% Free or reduced price lunch77%28%61% “Extreme” poverty (income $10,000 or less)23%10% Homeless in the last five years15%2% Close family member incarcerated or having frequent problems with law 24%4%23% School suspension 2+ times in the last year12%7% Juvenile hall/police contact in the last year6%3% In foster care4%0.5%1% Serious signs of depression22%6%

Who were the volunteers? Many were experienced: 40% past professional experience with youth 26% previously mentored Many had worked with youth facing challenges BUT… 32% had no past experience with at-risk youth 40% had no personal experience with these risk factors

What kind of relationships developed? Fairly high-quality relationships At 13 months: AML= 9.6 mos; 9 mos for first match 32% up to 6 months 26% 6-12 months 42% over 12 months No major differences across risk groups for quality or length

Mentor expectations Expectations and Challenges OverallAssociation with risk Mentor expectations were not correct about… The mentee’s needs24%HH > High Env The mentee’s family’s needs39%High Env > LL The time commitment required to develop a strong relationship 24%LL > High Env

What challenges did mentors experience? ChallengesOverallRisk Differences? Connecting Conversations 44%LL, HH > H env Engaging mentee 41%No Differences in interests/personalities 28%No Bridging differences Bridging racial/cultural differences 15%No Bridging economic differences 21%HH>LL Youth’s family and meetings Getting together (transportation, scheduling) 48%No Mentee’s preparation for meetings, canceling 27%HH, H env > LL Support from mentee’s family 27%HH, H env > LL Mentee’s family asking for too much help 12%HH, H env > LL Mentor’s personal situation 66%No Managing mentee’s behavior 24%HH, H ind > LL

Why did the matches end? Closure ReasonsOverallRisk Differences? Lack of youth interest33%LL > H Env; H Ind Mentor’s schedule28%No Youth didn’t need a mentor17%Low Env > HH Youth’s family unsupportive17%No Difference in interests/personalities14%HH > L ind Youth is moving13%No Youth needs were too severe10%HH > LL Lack of staff support3%-- Difficulty bridging cultural differences<1%--

How is risk linked with training/support needs? Training/Support topics% needing helpRisk differences Strengthening relationship 67%No Interacting with youth’s family 58%HH >LL Youth’s emotional issues 51% H Ind > LL; HH > L Ind Youth’s social issues 50% H Ind > LL; HH > L Ind Youth’s behavioral issues 47%HH > L Ind Interacting with youth of different ages 43%No Working with higher-risk youth 42%HH > LL Comfort with youth’s SES and culture 38%No Navigating social service systems 24%HH > H Env

How did youth benefit? OutcomeRandom Assignment Quasi- experimental Depressive symptoms √√ Parent trust Social acceptance √ Self-perceptions of academic abilities √ Grades √ Skipping school Misconduct Prosocial behavior Number of outcomes: positive change √√ Number of outcomes: negative change

Did youth risk affect program benefits? Not as much as you might expect! Evidence of benefits for all four groups in at least one area Similar benefits across groups But… Youth high in only individual risk seemed to reap the strongest/most consistent benefits

How were practices linked with match success? Supports Links with meeting frequency? Links with 12+ month match? Links with relationship quality? MENTOR: Early-match training √√√ MENTOR: Ongoing training √√ MENTOR: Regular match support √√ YOUTH: Regular match support √ PARENT: Regular match support √

What can we say about the four risk profiles? Higher Individual RiskLower Individual Risk Higher Environ- mental Risk Mentors Most likely to mentor again Expectations Youth needs Training/Support --More consistent support and ongoing training --More training needs in: Interacting with family Social services Youth’s emotional needs Youth’s social needs Youth’s behavior High-risk youth Meetings More youth cancellations More character/behavior change activities More growth/goal focus Challenges Conversations Youth’s prep for meetings Support from family Family asks for too much Managing behavioral problems Bridging economics Closures Youth needs were too severe Differences in interests/personalities Expectations Family’s needs Meetings More cancellations Training/Support --More likely to get ongoing training Challenges Preparation for mtgs Family support Family asks for too much Lower Environ- mental Risk Mentors More mentoring experience Match length Less rematching Training/Support --More frequent support --Longer support calls --More likely to get early training Youth’s emotional needs Youth’s social needs Challenges Managing behavior problems Closures More program instigated Youth didn’t seem to need a mentor Benefits Relatively large benefits Expectations Time commitment Challenges Conversations Closure Lack of youth interest Youth didn’t seem to need a mentor Benefits Relatively small benefits

Implications: Youth Pre-assessment Risk Program interest Depression Family support

Implications: Mentor screening Who do they envision working with? What do they think the program’s/their role is? What do they want to achieve with their mentee?

Implications: Mentor Training and Support Poverty Depression Developing a relationship with youth’s family Specific challenges facing their mentee

THANK YOU!

Environmental Risk Economic Adversity Lives in public housing; Lack of housing stability; Difficulty paying bills; Gangs/drugs in neighborhood; No working parents; Low income. Family Stress Child in the foster care system; A sibling in foster care; An incarcerated parent/relative; Family drug/alcohol problems; Single-parent; Unstable living situation; Recent parent separation; Frequent fights in home; Recent death of someone close to child; Recent homelessness; Parent has less than high school education. Peer Difficulties Lack of any close friends; Being bullied. Individual Risk Academic Challenges Failing two or more classes; Condition interfering with school; Missing school 3+ times a month; ESL. Problem Behavior Drug/alcohol use; School suspensions; Juvenile hall; Ran away from home; Gang involvement; Bullies others. Mental Health Concerns Exhibiting depressive symptoms; Diagnosed with mental health problem.