The role of risk

1. The role of risk Carla Herrera David DuBois Jean Grossman

2. Study framework • The study addressed 4 questions: • Can mentoring programs reach “higher-risk” youth? • Does match quality differ depending on youth risk? • Do the effects of mentoring vary with youth’s risk profile? • What practices are needed to ensure effectiveness? • Partnership between Washington State Mentors, P/PV & David DuBois

3. Design • 7 agencies • 5 BBBS • 1 targeting higher-risk youth • 1 university-based • 2 study components • Random assignment (2 agencies) • Quasi-experimental (all 7 agencies)

4. The youth & their mentors • 1,310 Youth • 53% boys • 43% white • 11.39 years old • 915 Mentors • 48% male • 82% white • 23% students

5. Defining “risk” ENVIRONMENTAL RISK • Economic Adversity • Gangs/drugs in neighborhood; • Low income. • Family Risk/Stress • Child in foster care; • Incarcerated parent/relative; • Single-parent; • Recent homelessness. • Peer Difficulties • Lack of any close friends; • Being bullied. INDIVIDUAL RISK • Academic Challenges • Failing two or more classes; • Frequent school absences. • Problem Behavior • Drug/alcohol use; • Multiple school suspensions; • Police contact; • Bullies others. • Mental Health Concerns • Depressive symptoms; • Mental health issues.

6. Who were the youth?

8. Who were the volunteers? Many were experienced: • 40% past professional experience with youth • 26% previously mentored • Many had worked with youth facing challenges BUT… • 32% had no past experience with at-risk youth • 40% had no personal experience with these risk factors

9. What kind of relationships developed? • Fairly high-quality relationships • At 13 months: AML= 9.6 mos; 9 mos for first match • 32% up to 6 months • 26% 6-12 months • 42% over 12 months • No major differences across risk groups for quality or length

10. Mentor expectations

11. What challenges did mentors experience?

12. Why did the matches end?

13. How is risk linked with training/support needs?

14. How did youth benefit?

15. Did youth risk affect program benefits? Not as much as you might expect! • Evidence of benefits for all four groups in at least one area • Similar benefits across groups But… • Youth high in only individual risk seemed to reap the strongest/most consistent benefits

16. How were practices linked with match success?

17. What can we say about the four risk profiles?

18. Implications: Youth Pre-assessment • Risk • Program interest • Depression • Family support

19. Implications: Mentor screening • Who do they envision working with? • What do they think the program’s/their role is? • What do they want to achieve with their mentee?

20. Implications: Mentor Training and Support • Poverty • Depression • Developing a relationship with youth’s family • Specific challenges facing their mentee

21. Thank you!

22. Environmental Risk • Economic Adversity • Lives in public housing; • Lack of housing stability; • Difficulty paying bills; • Gangs/drugs in neighborhood; • No working parents; • Low income. • Family Stress • Child in the foster care system; • A sibling in foster care; • An incarcerated parent/relative; • Family drug/alcohol problems; • Single-parent; • Unstable living situation; • Recent parent separation; • Frequent fights in home; • Recent death of someone close to child; • Recent homelessness; • Parent has less than high school education. • Peer Difficulties • Lack of any close friends; • Being bullied. Individual Risk • Academic Challenges • Failing two or more classes; • Condition interfering with school; • Missing school 3+ times a month; • ESL. • Problem Behavior • Drug/alcohol use; • School suspensions; • Juvenile hall; • Ran away from home; • Gang involvement; • Bullies others. • Mental Health Concerns • Exhibiting depressive symptoms; • Diagnosed with mental health problem.