DOI: 10.3886/icpsr38272.v1
title: Assessing for Impact: Key Elements to Successful Group Mentoring at the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, Georgia, 2018-2019
title: Version 1

description: This project, a research partnership between Georgia Health Policy Center (GHPC) at Georgia State University and the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA), sought to advance understanding of the effectiveness of an enhanced youth mentoring program implemented by a network of Boys and Girls Clubs in the Atlanta area. This study aims to build evidence for group mentoring models for youth that may have a positive impact on delinquency, academics and social-emotional well-being. The study includes a retrospective analysis of secondary data from Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, as well as qualitative research components that involved individual interviews with staff and focus groups with youth. Quantitative data sets include de-identified youth level data on club attendance, enhanced mentoring participation, and National Youth Outcomes Initiative (NYOI) survey responses. Qualitative data includes key informant interviews with a selected group of club level staff to provide a deeper understanding of structure, programming and delivery of mentoring. Youth focus group interviews were also conducted to gather youth perspectives.
description: The purpose of this study is to reveal the associations between group mentoring and youth outcomes. This project will inform the design and delivery of group mentoring programs within the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA), as well as at-large across juvenile justice and other child-serving systems where youth mentoring is provided.
description: The quantitative data files contain National Youth Outcomes Initiative (NYOI) data disseminated in the spring of 2018 and 2019. This survey is conducted within the club on a provided computer and is completely voluntary with the ability to skip questions. For the Key Informant (Staff) interviews, the Boys and Girls Club main office was the liaison for scheduling interviews at the main office and with clubs. One point person from the main office facilitated communication between the research staff and club and central office staff. Scheduling was based on club operational schedules and availability of staff for interviews. Interviews were conducted in-person at club locations. For the Youth Focus Group interviews, the Boys and Girls Club main office and club directors were the points of contact for scheduling virtual focus groups at club locations. Scheduling was based on club operational schedules and availability of youth for interviews. Focus groups were conducted via a secure virtual platform.
description: Demographic variables included member unique identifier, school year, age group (child or teen), gender, race/ethnicity, whether the member was from a single parent household, and whether the member was from a household living below the federal poverty level. Variables from the National Youth Outcomes Initiative (NYOI) cover different dimensions of the club experience, youth self-reported grades, truancy, and fighting behaviors.
description: Response Rates: Not applicable.
description: Presence of Common Scales: National Youth Outcomes Instrument (NYOI)
description: For the Key Informant (Staff) interviews, clubs were selected by the research team in partnership with BGCMA leadership to reflect a range of club size, location, and program outcomes. For the Youth Focus Group interviews, club directors invited youth to participate based on mentoring v. non-mentoring status of the youth and age of the youth (adolescents).
description: Datasets: DS0: Study-Level Files DS1: 2018 Member Survey Data DS2: 2019 Member Survey Data DS3: Boys and Girls Club Mentoring Analysis Data DS4: Demographics Data DS5: Cleaned Survey Data DS6: Demographics and Survey Combined Data DS7: Qualitative Focus Group Interview Data DS8: Qualitative Key Informant Interview Data
description: Youth under 18 years old in Atlanta, Georgia. Smallest Geographic Unit: None
description: mixed mode