Volunteers must also meet agency criteria and successfully complete a screening process. This screening includes a criminal background check, a driving record check, personal references and an interview. The screening, matching and monthly monitoring and supervision is done by professional Case Managers. In 1997, our first site-based program, School Based Mentoring, was developed and implemented in a local elementary school. In this program, an adult mentor is matched to an elementary aged student, who is considered by the school to be in need of a mentor for either academic or social reasons.
All contacts take place during school hours.
Screening for volunteers in this program is handled in much the same way as in our Traditional program, however, a driving check and home visit is not required. Student eligibility and the matching process is also done using similar procedures. Case Managers supervise and monitor these matches in the same manner as they do for Traditional matches. In 1999, this program expanded to a second school in the County. It is our hope to continue to expand this program to other schools in the future.