NCJ Number
201259
Date Published
May 2003
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This video, presented in a lecture format, provides information to guide the planning and implementation of measures that will reduce the incide nce and consequences of harmful deviations from what program managers expect to occur in nonprofit mentoring programs.
Abstract
"Risk" is defined as "possible deviation from what you expect to occur." The deviations that are most often the focus of risk management are lawsuits, harms, injuries, danger, theft, and property loss. Risk management is a discipline for dealing with unplanned events that may impede and undermine a mentoring program's effective and efficient use of its resources to achieve its mission. It also consists of building upon upside risks in achieving the organization's goals through unexpected deviations from program routines. The first step in risk management is to appoint a risk-management committee to "brainstorm" possible scenarios of risk for which the organization should adopt measures to reduce their likelihood and/or consequences should they occur. This committee should include people involved in actual service delivery, since they may be more aware than professional staff of the various risks involved in their work. The video outlines five steps in the risk-management process. The first step is to establish the context. This involves assessing all aspects of the organization's activities, constraints, management structure and style, resources, and personnel capabilities and attitudes. Also included in the context are the broader political, regulatory, legal, and historical background within which the program functions, as well as the context of service delivery. The second risk-management step involves appraising risks, which includes identifying risks associated with the organization's mission and distinguishing minor risks from major risks. The third step is to decide what to do and communicate. This involves the use of such risk-management tools as avoidance, modification, sharing, and retention. The fourth step is to act on the decisions made; and the fifth step is to monitor and adjust the implementation of risk-management decisions. The video identifies some critical risks for mentoring programs -- including child maltreatment, violence among youth, injuries and accidents, inappropriate mentor behavior, mentor safety, and dangerous environments/circumstances -- and recommends practical strategies for reducing and addressing the risks of mentoring programs. The video concludes with information on the selection of insurance for mentoring programs. A viewer guide for viewing the video is provided, along with a computer diskette for viewing the slides used in the video presentation.