Douglas County School System MATCH Mentoring Program

"Putting the Pieces Together" Overview of Training (AGENDA) Program Description and Goals Mentor Commitment and Responsibilities Review Mentor Manual Wrap-up Program Description and Goals Mentor Commitment and Responsibilities Review Mentor Manual Wrap-up

"Putting the Pieces Together" What Is a Mentor? By definition: a trusted guide, counselor, or teacher For MATCH, a caring adult who volunteers one hour each week to meet with a student(s) and establish a nurturing relationship that enhances that student’s success in school MATCH offers one-to-one, group and peer mentoring By definition: a trusted guide, counselor, or teacher For MATCH, a caring adult who volunteers one hour each week to meet with a student(s) and establish a nurturing relationship that enhances that student’s success in school MATCH offers one-to-one, group and peer mentoring

"Putting the Pieces Together" History of Mentoring in DCSS Pilot program in 1995 at Stewart Middle By 1998, mentoring expanded to all schools and grade levels In 2005, received federal grant to enhance mentoring In 2008, combined MATCH and One-2-One into single program serving all students In 2009, coordinate with small group mentoring Pilot program in 1995 at Stewart Middle By 1998, mentoring expanded to all schools and grade levels In 2005, received federal grant to enhance mentoring In 2008, combined MATCH and One-2-One into single program serving all students In 2009, coordinate with small group mentoring

"Putting the Pieces Together" Communities In Schools of Douglas County (CISDC) National dropout prevention program Became operational in 1996 Douglas County programs include: MATCH Mentoring After-School Programs Character Education Performance Learning Center National dropout prevention program Became operational in 1996 Douglas County programs include: MATCH Mentoring After-School Programs Character Education Performance Learning Center

"Putting the Pieces Together" How is mentoring funded? Communities in Schools of Georgia Douglas County School System United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta Fundraising events Local partners Communities in Schools of Georgia Douglas County School System United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta Fundraising events Local partners

"Putting the Pieces Together" Mentoring Goals Improve academic achievement Develop high-quality mentoring relationships Help students develop personal and social responsibility Reduce negative student behaviors Increase high school completion rates Improve academic achievement Develop high-quality mentoring relationships Help students develop personal and social responsibility Reduce negative student behaviors Increase high school completion rates

"Putting the Pieces Together" Who Can Mentor? Any adults (including college students) who are dependable, committed, and caring Must complete screening background Must complete mentor training Must honor commitment to student Any adults (including college students) who are dependable, committed, and caring Must complete screening background Must complete mentor training Must honor commitment to student

"Putting the Pieces Together" Your Mentoring Commitment Training – today and ongoing Spend one hour with your mentee each week at school Write or your mentee Participate in other activities – community service projects or parent- teacher conferences Training – today and ongoing Spend one hour with your mentee each week at school Write or your mentee Participate in other activities – community service projects or parent- teacher conferences

"Putting the Pieces Together" Who Are the Mentees? Have low test scores Have a family history of violence/abuse Lack self-esteem or motivation Are failing in school Have a developmental, physical, or emotional disability Live in a high crime area Work below grade level Are eligible for free/reduced lunch Have low test scores Have a family history of violence/abuse Lack self-esteem or motivation Are failing in school Have a developmental, physical, or emotional disability Live in a high crime area Work below grade level Are eligible for free/reduced lunch Have been retained Have a sibling who was expelled or dropped out Exhibit behavioral/ emotional problems Are home alone after school Have a deceased parent or sibling Have experienced a traumatic event

"Putting the Pieces Together" What’s different about Mentoring Programs that focus on youth development? Asset Building Mentoring … Mentors and families on same team Youth benefit from positive relationships with many caring adults Effective mentoring can happen in both informal and group settings Mentors are recruited to engage in positive relationships Asset Building Mentoring … Mentors and families on same team Youth benefit from positive relationships with many caring adults Effective mentoring can happen in both informal and group settings Mentors are recruited to engage in positive relationships Mentors and mentees jointly select activities based on students needs Families and schools are active partners Researched based methods Use mentoring best practices

What is the role of a mentor? You are… …a friend …a role model …a confidant … a nurturer You are… …a friend …a role model …a confidant … a nurturer Activity….. List what you feel a mentor is or should be. "Putting the Pieces Together"

Common Phases of a Mentoring Relationship 1. Beginning and introduction 2. Building trust 3. Testing the relationship 4. Increasing independence 1. Beginning and introduction 2. Building trust 3. Testing the relationship 4. Increasing independence "Putting the Pieces Together"

Engaging in Good Conversation Keep it going Conversation doesn’t have to be heavy Be prepared for the unexpected answer Keep it going Conversation doesn’t have to be heavy Be prepared for the unexpected answer Listening is most important Timing can be everything Be prepared to give your own answer "Putting the Pieces Together"

Confidentiality Always remember to Discuss the child only with appropriate school personnel Discuss only when students are not present Communicate directly with the mentor contact if you have concerns Respect dignity, privacy, and individuality of all students and staff Always remember to Discuss the child only with appropriate school personnel Discuss only when students are not present Communicate directly with the mentor contact if you have concerns Respect dignity, privacy, and individuality of all students and staff

"Putting the Pieces Together" Child Abuse and the Law Mentors are required to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect What is abuse? Any form of sexual, physical, or emotional maltreatment or neglect, including verbal abuse, medical or educational neglect, and bullying Remember to Believe the child Listen openly and calmly Reassure the child but be honest about your responsibility to report Report the information immediately Mentors are required to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect What is abuse? Any form of sexual, physical, or emotional maltreatment or neglect, including verbal abuse, medical or educational neglect, and bullying Remember to Believe the child Listen openly and calmly Reassure the child but be honest about your responsibility to report Report the information immediately

"Putting the Pieces Together" Emergency Procedures In the event of a school drill, inclement weather, accident, illness or other situation: Stay calm Follow instructions of school staff Follow emergency procedures as outlined in training manual Remember, safety first In the event of a school drill, inclement weather, accident, illness or other situation: Stay calm Follow instructions of school staff Follow emergency procedures as outlined in training manual Remember, safety first

"Putting the Pieces Together" Do’s and Don’ts DO take time to establish rapport DO set boundaries DO be aware of your own limitations DO remember to listen DO keep information confidential DO be yourself DO take time to establish rapport DO set boundaries DO be aware of your own limitations DO remember to listen DO keep information confidential DO be yourself DON’T get discouraged DON’T be manipulated DON’T expect quick changes DON’T feel like you need to have all the answers DON’T feel like you are in this by yourself

"Putting the Pieces Together" Mentor Checklist Honor your commitment Call before you go Sign-in as a mentor Follow school rules Ask questions Relay concerns Remember – school- based program Honor your commitment Call before you go Sign-in as a mentor Follow school rules Ask questions Relay concerns Remember – school- based program Complete MATCH Weekly Log Don’t be a parent Try not to be Santa Remember – change takes time Be mindful of classroom time Let mentor contact know of changes

Questions "Putting the Pieces Together"

Mentor Manual 1. Orientation and Training 2. Building Relationships 3. Youth Development 4. Problem-Solving Skills 5. Character Education 6. GPS and Academics 7. Special Education 8. At-Home Training – Not Applicable 9. Resources 10. Notes and Miscellaneous 1. Orientation and Training 2. Building Relationships 3. Youth Development 4. Problem-Solving Skills 5. Character Education 6. GPS and Academics 7. Special Education 8. At-Home Training – Not Applicable 9. Resources 10. Notes and Miscellaneous

What’s next? Mentor interview School orientation MATCH! Mentor interview School orientation MATCH! "Putting the Pieces Together"

Puzzle Pieces (an excerpt from an adaptation of a work by Karen Hegeman) Student lives can be compared to jigsaw puzzles. Each area of his or her life has a unique design & many students lack the ability to put the pieces together & form the puzzle’s big picture. MATCH mentors can help students sort the puzzle of their life by helping them consider each fragmented piece & determine its relationship to their future success. Student lives can be compared to jigsaw puzzles. Each area of his or her life has a unique design & many students lack the ability to put the pieces together & form the puzzle’s big picture. MATCH mentors can help students sort the puzzle of their life by helping them consider each fragmented piece & determine its relationship to their future success.

"Putting the Pieces Together" Thank You! Thanks for being here today! Please contact us if you have any additional questions: Mitzi Teal MATCH Thanks for being here today! Please contact us if you have any additional questions: Mitzi Teal MATCH