Building a Successful Mentoring Program: Matching Strategy and Monitoring Matches
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Building a Successful Mentoring Program
Using the Mentor Michigan Quality Program Standards for
Youth Mentoring
Matching Strategy & Monitoring Matches
Quality Program Standards
1: Definition of Youth Mentoring2: Recruitment Plan3: Eligibility Screening4: Orientation and Training5: Matching Strategy6: Match Monitoring Process7: Mentor Support, Recognition, and Retention8: Match Closure9: Program Evaluation10: Organizational Management11: Governance
Mentor Michigan’s Quality Program Standards
• Developed by the Providers Council
• Not meant to certify or accredit mentoring programs
• Planning and assessment framework to raise the bar for mentoring programs
• Standards based on research, evidence-based practices, and the national Elements of Effective Practice
Self-Assessment Checklist
• Tool for self-assessment• Benchmarks for progress• Determine areas of potential
improvement and strengths of the organization
Quality Program Standards and Checklist are available for download on the Mentor Michigan website– www.mentormichigan.org
Matching Strategy & Monitoring Matches
• Matching Strategy– Matching Criteria and Recommendations– Tips and Considerations for the matching
process
• Monitoring Matches– Ongoing support– Stages of a mentoring relationship– Monitoring Plan – Check-in
Standard 5: Matching Strategy
• The program has a well-documented matching strategy– Consistent with program’s purpose– Requires that mentor and mentee meet
regularly– Criteria for matches– Signed statements regarding the
conditions of the relationship– Group mentoring - matches one trained
mentor with no more than four youth
Possible Matching Criteria
• Gender• Age• Similar background
– Racial, ethnic, cultural, or language
• Compatibility of available meeting times
• Shared interests and preferences
• Youth needs• Life experience• Temperament• Language
requirements• Disabilities
POLL
Does your program have a written plan for making appropriate matches, including the criteria for making a match?
• Yes
• No
• Not sure
Matching Recommendations
Mentor:• Preferences• Location• Skill level• Interests and
hobbies• Overall personality
Mentee:• Parent/Guardian
preferences• Location• Needs of the
mentee• Interests and
hobbies• Overall personality
Matching Recommendations:Match Determination
• Similarities
• Compatible values and attitudes
• Mutual interests
• Geographic proximity
Making the Match
• Involve everyone– Youth, family, mentor all involved
• Select volunteers with the right attitude– Mentor attitude is key ingredient for
success
• Assess personalities– Will this mentor be able to connect with
this youth person?
First Match Meeting
• Structured first meeting between the mentor and mentee– Program staff facilitates meeting– Reduce anxiety and help matches begin their
relationship in a positive way
• Program staff can use this as an opportunity to review policies and address issues– Clear goals and activities– Next steps for the match– Future meeting times– Signed statements of understanding
Match Monitoring
• Monitoring of matches and consistent contact
• Ongoing training for mentors
More positive youth
outcomes
Standard 6: Match Monitoring Process
• The program maintains a process that monitors and supports mentoring matches. This process includes:– Consistent communication– Maintain confidential file– Input from all involved– Issue management– Providing appropriate forms
Importance of Match Monitoring
• Supports relationship development
• Risk management– Assess whether there may be serious
behavioral issues– Early identification and resolution of
potential difficulties in the relationship– Prevent premature relationship ending– Youth safety
Research
• Programs with regular support - matches meet regularly and are more satisfied
• Programs that do not provide regular support have the greatest percentage of failed matches
• Provides the practical and moral support that mentors need to keep meeting with their mentees and to get through the rough spots
Stages of a Mentoring Relationship
Stage 1: Developing Rapport and Building Trust
Stage 2: The Middle – Reaching Goals
Stage 3:
Closure
Stages of a Mentoring Relationship
• Stage 1: Developing Rapport and Building Trust– Predictability and consistency– Testing– Establish Confidentiality– Goal Setting (transitions into stage 2)
Stages of a Mentoring Relationship
• Setting Goals: Stage 1 Stage 2– Goal setting is an important phase
leading to the positive youth outcomes associated with mentoring.
– What does the pair want to get out of the relationship?
– Pair should set at least one achievable goal together
– Transition into step 2
Stages of a Mentoring Relationship
• Stage 2: The Middle – Reaching Goals– Closeness– Affirming the uniqueness of the
relationship– Relationship may be rocky or smooth– Rely on staff support
Stages of a Mentoring Relationship
• Stage 3: Closure– Identify natural emotions, such as grief,
denial, and resentment– Provide opportunities for saying goodbye
in a healthy, respectful and affirming way– Address appropriate situations for staying
in contact
Closure: Staying in Contact
• Programs should have policies in place dealing with matches staying in contact– Mentor and Mentee mutually interested
in staying in contact– School-based programs: Acceptable
forms of communication for staying in contact over summer months?
Monitoring Plan
• Schedule for checking in
• Set of questions that provide insight into the status and progress of the relationship
• Opportunity for mentors and mentees to ask questions, raise concerns, and provide feedback
Match Monitoring: Checking In
• To make sure the mentor and mentee are meeting regularly
• To determine the quality of the relationship
• To address any problems or concerns that may arise
• To manage mentor and mentee expectations
POLL• On average, how often are you checking
in with the mentors in your program?– At least every other week or several times
each month– Once a month– Every other month– A few times per year– Not Sure
Frequency – How often to check-in?
1. Contact the mentor within the first two weeks of the match
2. Over the first few months, continue to check in every two weeks
3. For at least a year, continue to check in monthly
4. Increased based on needs of the match.
Match Support Outline
• Activities
• Child Safety
• Concerns
• Relationship Development
• Youth Outcomes/Development
• Other Comments
• Next Contact/Follow-up
Now What?• Quality Program Standards and Program Self-
Assessment Checklist
• Elements of Effective Practice Toolkit– www.mentoring.org/eep– Match agreements, relationship development checklists,
feedback forms, etc
• Bring this information back to YOUR mentoring program– What does your matching strategy, matching criteria,
match monitoring plan consist of?
• Mentor Michigan Website– www.mentormichigan.org– Handouts, resources, related websites– Webinars on a variety of topics
Questions or Comments?
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