NCJ Number
182603
Date Published
September 1999
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This report examines the potential of school-based mentoring to prevent initiation of drug and alcohol use among youth.
Abstract
Advocates of school-based mentoring claim that it is a strong complement to the traditional community-based approach because: (1) it may attract volunteers who, because of their jobs, families, age or other life circumstances, would not volunteer in community-based programs that usually require at least 3 to 5 hours per week; (2) youth are referred by teachers instead of parents, which has the potential to reach youth whose parents lack the time, energy or inclination to involve their child in more intensive mentoring; (3) it may enable Big Brothers/Big Sisters staff to supervise matches more easily, effectively and inexpensively; and (4) it links the mentor to the school environment, making education a salient part of the mentoring relationship. The report discusses volunteers in school-based mentoring programs; youth served by the programs; recruitment, screening, training and supervision of volunteers; what the school setting offers that youth or mentors could not get from community-based programs; and whether 1 hour a week can provide strong relationships with children. References, notes