Ready to Go: Mentor Training Toolkit

Description of Resource:

This toolkit is designed to assist youth mentoring programs in the training of new and existing mentors and other volunteers working with youth. The curriculum contains a customizable menu of training activities that can be used to tailor trainings to specific program needs. Specific activities are broken into five modules: Building Mentoring Relationships; Setting Boundaries; Communication; Youth Development and Cultural Competency.

All modules include a background section that briefs trainers on the basics of the subject covered in that module and also provides details about the activities in the module. After reading through the background section for a module, facilitators will want to select the activities from that module that best serve the needs of their training group.

Goals:

This resource is intended to give mentors across a diverse array of programs the skills they need to build successful relationships with mentees. The flexibility and adaptability of the curriculum is intended to make it applicable to a variety of program settings.

Target Population/Eligibility of Target Sites:

Activities are designed to be applicable to all age ranges. The curriculum was field tested at several 4H Extension sites, as well as with schools, faith-based programs, foster care programs, college-based programs, and selected Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies. The material is intended to be suitable for use in most youth mentoring programs provided the program selects the activities that are most applicable to its model, youth served, outcome goals, and so forth.

Corresponding Elements of Effective Practice:

Training

Key Personnel:

Training staff at mentoring programs.

Additional Information:

None.

Resource Name:

Ready to Go: Mentor Training Toolkit

Publisher/Source:

Michigan State University Extension 4H Youth Development

Author:

Project Director:

• Lisa Bottomly, MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development

Project Managers:

• Molly Frendo, Associate Program Leader, MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development
• Anna EldenBrady, Extension Program Worker, MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development
• Christine Sisung, Eaton County 4-H Program Coordinator, MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development
• Jillian Tremonti, Extension Program Worker, MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development

Lead authors:

• Kea Boyd, Wayne County 4-H Extension Educator, MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development
• Susan Fenton, Ottawa County 4-H Program Coordinator, MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development
• Missy Olgine, AmeriCorps Member, Midland/Isabella Department of Human Services
• Kristy Oosterhouse, Extension Program Worker, MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development
• Laura Schleede, Ottawa County 4-H Extension Educator, MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development
• Ed Scott, Wayne County 4-H Extension Educator, MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development
• Lisa Snider, AmeriCorps Member, ACCESS Mentoring at Alma College

Date of Publication:

2012

Resource Type:

Mentor Training Resources

Evaluation Methodology:

Resource has not been evaluated for effectiveness

Evaluation Outcomes:

Resource has not been evaluated for effectiveness

Evaluation Validity:

Resource has not been evaluated for effectiveness

Accessing and Using this Resource:

The toolkit is available through the Michigan State University Bookstore. Cost is $90 for the full curriculum (438 pages) on USB or PDF. The introduction with sample training menus and tips can be downloaded for free here.

References:

None