transformative mentoring for youth facing barriers … · transformative mentoring for youth facing...

TRANSFORMATIVEMENTORINGFORYOUTHFACINGBARRIERSTOSUCCESS

AprojectoftheOntario MentoringCoalition

Presentedby:Dr.MelanieBania

Withfundingprovidedby:OntarioMinistryofChildrenandYouthServices(MCYS)

WorkshopObjectives

1. Sharekeyinformationandresourcesfordevelopingandimplementingeffectivementoringinitiativesforyouthwhofacemultiplebarrierstosuccess

2. Quicklyreviewinformationonevaluatingandsustainingmentoringprograms

3. Shareonline& PDFtoolkit:www.ontariomentoringcoalition.ca

Howthisinformationwasgathered• ProjectdevelopedandleadbytheOntarioMentoringCoalition

• FundingfromtheMinistryofChildren&YouthServices (Prov.ofOntario)

• ContentpreparedbyMelanieBania,PhDandVanessaChase,MCA

• EnhancedbytheguidanceofanAdvisoryCommittee

• Inputfromyouthfacingbarrierstosuccess• 28youthreacheddirectlythroughFocusGroups(inGTA)• Incorporatedfeedbackfromyouthwhoparticipatedinotherrecentyouthadvisoryexercisesfacilitatedbyotheragencies• BigBrothersBigSistersofCanadaYouthinCare:YouthFocusGroups• ProvincialAdvocateforChildrenandYouth:ReportfromYouthLeavingCareHearings

Icebreaker!

HandshakeMingleActivity

Whatdowemeanby“mentoringforyouth

facingbarrierstosuccess”?

ManyTypesof‘Mentoring’

TypesofMentoring

*FormalMentoring

• Occursinaformalizedmentoringprogramwherementeesareintentionallymatchedtomentors

²variousmodels:1-1,group,team,peer,online

²varioussettings:community,school,faith-based,agency,workplace

InformalMentoring

• Occursoutsideofaformalizedmentoringprogram²Naturalmentors(ex:schoolbusdriver,communityleader)

²Contentmentors(ex:guestspeaker,jobshadowing)

²Programmentors(ex:homeworkcluborsummercamp)

Definition:YouthFacingBarrierstoSuccess

• Youthwhoexperienceobstaclestofullparticipationintheircommunitiesandmaybenefitfromtargetedsupportandopportunities (ONMinistryofChildren&YouthServices).

• Youthwithacademicchallenges• Indigenousyouth• Racializedyouth• Newcomeryouth• Youthwithdevelopmental/otherdisabilities• Youthwithmentalhealthneeds• LGBTTQQIP2SAyouth• Youthinorleavingcare• Homelessyouth• Youthinvolvedwiththecriminaljusticesystem• Girls

QuickPoll!Question1:Areyoucurrently involvedinprovidingformalmentoringforyouthfacingbarrierstosuccess?

Question2:Areyoucurrentlyinvolvedinplanning aformalmentoringprogramforyouthfacingbarrierstosuccess?

Question3:Areyouinterestedinstartingaformalmentoringprogramforyouthfacingbarrierstosuccessinthefuture?

Howeffectiveismentoringforyouthwhofacebarrierstosuccess?

Researchtellus…

• Foryoungpeopleingeneral,formalmentoringcanhavepositiveeffectsformentees

• smalltomodestpositiveoutcomesonacademicperformance,emotionaldevelopment,mentalhealth,behaviours andsocialdevelopment

• Evidenceislesscommon,conclusiveordefinitivefortheoveralleffectivenessofmentoringforyouthdeemedathigher-riskofnegativelifeoutcomes

Researchtellus…• Mentoringrelationshipsthataresimilarinstrengthanddurationcanbenefityouthwithvarious‘riskprofiles’(low-risk,medium-risk,high-risk)

• Largestandmostuniversalimpact:decreasingdepression

• Othernoteworthyimpacts:positiveeffectsonsocialacceptance,academicattitudes,grades

• Nosignificantimprovementsonbehaviours

Herrera,DuBoisandGrossman(2013)

Researchtellsus…• Somewhatstrongerandmoreconsistentbenefitsforyouthwhoscorerelativelyhighonindividual riskfactorsbutnotashighonenvironmental riskfactors

Ex:IndividualFactors Ex:EnvironmentalFactors

academicstruggles poverty

mental /physicalhealthneeds unsafe /unstablehousing

involvementinchild protectionand/orjusticesystems

lowparentalsupport

Herrera,DuBoisandGrossman(2013)

Researchtellus…

• Challengesreportedbymentorsandreasonsmatchesendearlydifferinrelationtotheyouth’sriskprofileandlifecircumstances(e.g.,fearofattachmentvs.transiencyvs.parentalinterference)

• Mentoringmaybemoreeffectiveforyouthfacingbarrierstosuccesswhenitiscombinedwithotherservicesandsupports

• Importantfactor:theyoungpersonmustbeopentomakingalong-termcommitmenttoformarelationshipwithamentor

Researchtellsus…

Thereareeffectivenessfindingsspecifictodifferentpopulationsofyouthinthetoolkit:

EffectivenessofMentoring:Gaps

• Youthwithmentalhealthneeds

• Indigenousyouth

• LGBTTQQIP2SA

• Homelessyouth

Howcanwemakeourmentoringprogramthemosteffectiveandsafe

aspossiblefortheseyouth?

Universal FactorsforGreaterImpacts

• Closeness

• Consistency

• Youth-centredness

• Structure

• Duration(atleast1year)

Recruitingthe‘right’participantsandtrainingthemproperlyhavebeenshowntodirectlyincreasethesefactors

• Evidenceisverystrongforrecruitingmentorsthatareagoodfitandforprovidingthemwithadequatetraining

• Evidenceisgrowingforrecruitingmenteesthatareagoodfitandforprovidingthemwithadequatetraining

MentoringRelationshipStyles① Developmental – focusonrelationalactivitiesfirst② Instrumental – focusongoaldirectedandskill-building

activitiesfirst

“Researchsuggeststhattheprovisionofstructureintherelationshipshouldnotbeattheexpenseofaprimaryfocusonhavingfunanddevelopingtherelationship”

(MENTOR,2015,p.42)

① AssistanceMentoring• ForyouthwhoHAVENOTbeendeeplyaffectedbyindividual,family,community,and/orsocietalriskfactors

• Providesupportinacademics,jobcounseling,leadershipskills,conflictresolutionskills,socialrecreation,minorself-esteemdvt

② TransformationalMentoring• ForyouthwhoHAVEbeendeeplyaffectedbyindividual,family,community,and/orsocietalriskfactors

• Providenon-punitivesupporttoaffectchangeinnegativeself-esteem,self-concept/identity,attitudes,behaviours,lackofhope

• Mustofferanexpressionofprofoundempathy,sensitivity,compassion,andcare

MentoringRelationshipStyles

GeneralMentoringStandards

Evidence-basedandpractitioner-informedstandardsandbenchmarksforplanningandimplementinganeffectivementoringprogram

ElementsofEffectivePracticeforMentoringTM

http://www.mentoring.org/program-resources/elements-of-effective-practice-for-mentoring/

TailoringYourProgramforSpecificYouth

• Itisequallyimportantthatyourprogrambespecificallydesignedfortheindividualneedsofeachyouthpopulation

• Toolkittableswithspecialconsiderationsandresourcesforeachyouthpopulation

GroupActivity!TailoringYourProgram

1. Whatarekeypracticestokeepinmindforthoseyouth?

2. Basedonyourexperience,whatotherfactorsareimportant?

3. Aretheregapsinourknowledge?Whatelsewouldyouliketoknowaboutmentoringthisyouthpopulation?

Overview:BestPracticesforMentoringYouthFacingBarrierstoSuccess

BestPracticesProgramPlanning&Implementation• Partnerwithrelevantagencies• Hirestafffromthecommunity• Providestafftrainingonspecialconsiderations• Useaccommodations• Usecommunitywisdomtoupdatepractice• Openlyexplore&celebratethediversityofmenteesandmentors

BestPractices

MenteeReferral,Screening&Selection• Ensurerecruitmentmaterialsareinmultipleformatsandlanguages• Wherepossibleacceptmenteesbeforemajortransitions

MentorRecruitment,Screening&Selection• Considermentorswhohavehadmore“troubledpasts”• Mentorsmayneedtobemoreexperiencedinthatrole

BestPracticesMentorTraining• Trainingshouldinclude:

• Culturalcompetency• Inclusivelanguage• Therolesofmentors• Disclosures/confidentiality• Higherriskofearlymatchtermination

MatchingProcess• Allowmenteestosharepreferencesformatching• Supportcross-race/gender/experiencematchingthrough:

• Ongoingmentortraining(unpackingbiases,providingpositivefeedback)

• Activitiestolearnaboutandcelebrateethnicidentities

BestPracticesRelationshipDevelopment• Fosterreciprocalrelationships(menteechoice,opportunitiesformatchestolearnfromoneanother)• Morevulnerableyouthmayrequiregreatercommitmentandconsistency

MatchSupervision&Support• Consistentandcomprehensivestaffcheckinsaremoreimportant• Compensationmayincreasementorcommitment

BestPracticesParent/Caregiver/FamilyInvolvement• Beawareoffamilychallengesincommunicating(language,differentabilities,literacy)

MatchClosure&Re-Matching• Closuresmustbehandleddelicatelyduetodifficultpasts• Ensurementorshavetheskillstoendtherelationshipinahealthyway

YouthPerspectives

Whatelsedoweneedtoconsiderwhenprovidingmentoring

opportunitiesforyouthwhofacebarrierstosuccess?

WorkFromStrengths• Bemindfulthatlanguagecanalterpeople’sperceptionsofsituationsandcreaterealities

• Viewyoungpeopleascapable,withthepotentialtolearnnewskillstomanagetheirownwellbeing

• Focusonidentifyingandbuildinguponayouth’sstrengths(skills,talents,relationships,etc.)vs.commonapproachofviewingyoungpeopleashavingdeficitsandproblemsthatneedtobesolved

• Positionsupportersaspartnersratherthanprofessionals;usegenuinecaringtoactas“facilitatorsofchange”inpartnershipwithyouth

• Promotethebeliefthatchallengesareinevitableandbuildresiliency

AddressPowerDynamics• Youthfacingbarrierstosuccessmayfeelespeciallydisempoweredgiventheirpastlifeexperiences

• 🚫 glossoverorignoreissuesofpowerandprivilege• ✅ addresspowerdynamicsandstrugglesheadoninaconstructiveway• ✅ Providestaff,mentorsandmenteestrainingandskillsdevelopmentopportunitiesin:

• positivecommunication• conflictresolution• restorativepractices• collaborativedecision-making

AddressPowerDynamics

• Raiseawarenessandfacilitatediscussionwithmentorsaboutdynamics ofpowerandprivilege

ex:CrossingtheLineActivity

ProvideTrauma-InformedServices• Youthwhofacemultiplebarrierstosuccessaremorelikelytohaveexperiencedtrauma

• Importantforprogramstaffandmentorstoworkfromatrauma-informedframework,sotheycanbestservementees

• RefertoTrauma-InformedPracticeGuideinToolkit:http://bccewh.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2013_TIP-Guide.pdf

EnsureCulturalCompetency• Createsafespacesfordiversityinculture,gender,race,religion,ability,socioeconomicstatus,andothercharacteristicsinyour:

✅ space&environment✅ policies&practices✅ relationships

• Prioritizeempathy,respect,curiosity

http://www.mentoring.org/new-site/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Diversity-Discussion-Starters.pdf

Howcanwebuildourcapacityforprogramevaluation?

ProgramEvaluation• Definition:

“Thesystematicdeterminationof thequality and/orvalueofsomething”(MichaelScriven,1991)

• Evaluationcanhelpprogramsandorganizationsin:²meetingfundingrequirements²assessinghowtheirprogramsareworking²developingbestpractices²measuringtheirimpact²improvingexistingprograms²testingnewideas²supportingdecision-making²engagingotherpartners

PerformanceMonitoringCriteria

Purpose Questions Indicators

Capturing:

v Activitiesv Inputsv Outputs

Who?What?When?Where?Howmany?Howoften?How long?

- #staff,partners,space- costsandin-kindcontributions- #mentee/ mentorapplications- #participants accepted- #participantstrained- #matches- # andtypeof activities- attendance/retention- durationofmatches- #matchcompletions(rate)

MentoringProgramEvaluation

ProcessEvaluationCriteria


Assessing:

v Processesv Proceduresv Implementation

Didwedowhatwesaidwewould do?Why/whynot?

Towhatextentdo ourmentoringrelationshipsmeetthecriticalbenchmarksofqualitymentoringrelationships?

Whatisworkingwell,whatisnotworkingwell,whatshouldbeimproved?

- fidelitytopoliciesandprocedures

- staffperspectives- mentee’sviewoftherelationship

- mentor’sviewoftherelationship

- participantsatisfactionwiththeprogram

- parentsatisfaction- partnersatisfaction- evaluatorobservation- strengths&challenges- lessonslearned


ImpactEvaluationCriteria


Examining:

v Outcomes

v Impacts/Effects

- short-term- medium-term- longer-term

Towhatextentdid oureffortschangeparticipants’knowledge/attitudes/behaviours?

Haveparticipantsandothersbenefittedfromtheirexperienceintheprogram?How?

Increased:- knowledge- positiveattitudes- self-concept- social &emotionalwellbeing

- skills for…- schoolengagement- communityengagement

- employmentparticipation

- decreasedjusticeinvolvement


ProgramEvaluationCycleEngage

Stakeholders&Participants

EstablishObjectives&ExpectedOutcomes

DetermineSuccessMeasures

&KeyIndicators

DevelopDataCollectionStrategies

&CollectData

AnalyzeData&ReachConclusions

IdentifyImprovements&ShareLearnings

ProgramEvaluationResources• ProgramEvaluationToolkit bytheOntarioCentreofExcellenceforChild&YouthMentalHealth

• ProjectEvaluationGuideForNon-ProfitOrganizations:FundamentalMethods&StepsbyImagineCanada

• ToolsforEvaluatingYourMentoringProgram bytheSearchInstitute

• ToolstoEstablishEvaluationCriteria&Methods byMENTOR,2015

• DataCollectionMethodsToolkit byNorthwestCenterforPublicHealthPractice

AssessingYouth,Tailoring&EvaluatingYourProgram

• Useparticipatoryapproaches

• ex:BodyMappingActivity

video:https://youtu.be/V58j-9ze3dg

Sources

• AdetailedlistofReferencescanbefoundintheLiteratureReviewandwithintheToolkitonlineat:

www.ontariomentoringcoalition.ca/mentoringyouthfacingbarriers

Questions&Discussion

ContactInformation• OntarioMentoringCoalition

• BethMalcolm,CanadianWomen’[email protected]

• CathyDenyer,[email protected]

• ResourceDeveloper

• [email protected] withfundingprovidedby:

transformative mentoring for youth facing barriers … · transformative mentoring for youth facing...

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