Partners in Routt County

Program Overview and Background

Mentoring is an increasingly well documented prevention strategy in the field of youth development for youth who are identified as “at–risk”. The Partners mentoring model implements best practices documented in several published studies, including D. L. DuBois’ meta–analysis of youth mentoring programs in the American Journal of Community Psychology and J.B. Grossman and A. Johnson’s “Assessing the Effectiveness of Mentoring Programs” published in The Prevention Researcher.

The best practices articulated in these studies and employed by the Partners model are: Frequent meetings between mentors and youth (3 hrs./week in the Partners model); Duration of at least 6 months (12 months in the Partners model); Intensive training for mentors (Developmental Assets training and ongoing case management in Partners model); Structured activities for mentors and youth (12 social activities annually, 6 life skills activities, and 4 community service activities for mentoring pairs and youth on waiting list in Partners model).

When these best practices are observed, mentoring is shown to be an effective prevention strategy for positive youth development for at–risk and high–risk youth, including addressing juvenile delinquency, low school commitment, and increased alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use/abuse. While CPYM agencies share a Community Based Mentoring model, they do not share youth. Each affiliate serves only those youth referred within their service area to avoid duplication of services.

Program Services

The CPYM CBM statewide program consists of 1:1 mentoring partnerships between a mentor and mentee. Youth first enter waiting programs and participate in life skill activities. Volunteer mentors are screened and trained, then matched with waiting youth, which opens space for new youth. Partnerships require a commitment of 1 calendar year and time is spent in 1:1 activities out in the community for an average of 3 hours/week. Partnerships have intensive, consistent support from program staff and commit to regular contact and attending life skill activities. Program staff are responsible for the youth referral process, matching and maintaining communication with youth and their families, and mentors. A multi-step screening and training process is tied to the success and duration of matches.

Included in the CBM program is Family Engagement Services enhancements, based on The Center for the Advancement of Mentoring guidelines. Mentors receive substance abuse prevention training utilizing MEI to increase prevention education and promote healthy choices for their mentees. CPYM agencies provide family centered activities and collaborate with community agencies for other family engagement options. The CBM program provides youth with positive mentoring relationships that build personal assets and protective factors; sharing the common goal of fostering long-term supportive and pro-social relationships between mentee/mentor.

Target Population

PRC serves youth from at–risk/high–risk environments through the one–to–one CBM mentoring model with an emphasis on enhancing mentor support through increased family engagement. From October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2023 this project will serve approximately 2,121 youth ages 6–17, who are dealing with social, emotional, and academic challenges. Several issues including Opioid and substance use/abuse, delinquency, and poverty, affect Colorado youth and negatively impact their physical well–being, attachment to adults, and academic success.