Inspire the Dream Program Booklet

Mentors

Mentor Application Link

Safety Application Link

Mentor Coordinators

Data Collection Instructions

OJJDP Performance Measures

Mentor Coordinator Semi-Annual Questions

Fall 23 Inspire the Dream Mentee Survey(Pre-K-5th)

Fall 23 Inspire the Dream Mentee Survey (6th-12th)

Overcoming Obstacles Anti-Bullying Curriculum

For Executive Directors

SAM.gov

IHDF Salesforce Guide

Data Training

Vision

National Office Commitment

Program Preservation

★ Inspire the Dream will become a reusable model for affiliates nationwide

Grant Implementation & Compliance

★ IHDF National will do the heavy lifting of federal grant compliance, supporting Affiliates with detailed reporting schedules and timely reimbursement

Advocacy, Support & Technical Assistance

★ The national office will provide comprehensive training and assistance to Affiliates

★ National will leverage its partner relationships to assist in areas like recruitment and fundraising

Affiliate

Mentor Management & Acknowledgement

★ Actively recruit, train, and support mentors

★ Host regular professional development and peer networking events

Mentoring Program Operations & Family Engagement

★ Deliver anti-bullying curriculum

★ Engage families as partners; support mentees and families in the event of an early mentor change Data Collection & Evaluation

★ Maintain program records and collect feedback surveys

Projected Dreamer Outcomes

Improved Academic Performance

★ Research consistently shows that students who develop longterm, trusted relationships with mentors have better academic outcomes

Expanded Social & Support Network

★ Healthy relationships with mentors, lifelong communication skills

Anti-Bullying Skills

★ True to the grant’s focus, students will finish the program with new language and strategies to stop and prevent bullying and cyberbulling

The "I Have A Dream" Foundation Core Values

Integrity

Power is gained by sharing knowledge, not hoarding it. We continue to earn the trust of our colleagues, our community, our donors, our Network, our Dreamers and their families through open dialogue, impactful results and accessibility.

Community-Centered

Do nothing about me, without me. We are not observers, but active members of our community. We participate, we listen, we learn, we support and we serve. All Dreamers, their families, their neighbors, their homes, their stories guide our work.

High-Impact, High-Quality

The stakes are high. So shall be the quality. The unfair distribution of resources due to socio-economic status has had an overwhelming impact on our society. Our success has the power to shift conversations, bridge communities and make real change.

Adaptability

As change happens, change HAPPENS. We strategically check in with ourselves, coworkers, Dreamers, and all stakeholders to request feedback and assess progress towards our goals.

Partnership

We believe “Nothing of significance was ever achieved by an individual acting alone.” Our partnerships are our greatest strength. We create, work through challenges and celebrate success together.

Social Justice

We stand against racism and all forms of oppression. To increase the strength and power of the communities with which we work, we must recognize and challenge existing systems while pursuing outcomes based on equitable justice.

Program Overview

Glossary and Program Definitions

Cyberbullying/Cyberharrassment: A form of bullying or harassment using electronic means; also known as online bullying DOJ: Department of Justice; OJJDP is housed within this federal department

Family Engagement and Pre-match Orientation: The Pre-Match Orientation is a one-time meeting with families, Mentor Coordinators and staff, designed to engage families and share program expectations so that they can make informed decisions about participation

OJJDP: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. OJJDP sponsors programs to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization and improve the juvenile justice system

Mentor Information Session: A one-time, one-hour orientation session required of all prospective mentors. The time will be used to share information about the program, screening policies, and details on the time and energy commitment required

Mentoring Strategies: The model, or combination of models, chosen by affiliates and Mentor Coordinators to pair students and mentors and deliver an antibullying curriculum. They are: Academic Enrichment (in partnership with schools), Community-Based or peer-to-peer (see page 9 for details)

Pre-match Information Session: Intended for mentors; provides a realistic understanding of potential issues facing the youth, their role/responsibilities in the match, limits of what they can and should do, and the skills of an effective mentor

Post-Match Training: Quarterly, informal discussion sessions with new and experienced mentors, cofacilitated by staff, where issues and concerns can be shared and discussed

Subgrantee: Recipient of funds awarded to the applying entity. For our purposes, ”Affiliate” and ”subgrantee” are synonymous

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Executive/Program Directors:

Support and provide supervision to Mentor Coordinators

Collaborate with Mentor Training and Technical Assistance Manager to meet Affiliate mentoring needs

Work with the Financial Manager to receive reimbursement and fulfill timesheet keeping requirements.

Mentor Coordinators:

Mentor coordinators will design and implement the Inspire the Dream Mentorship Program. Mentor coordinators will recruit and train mentors, match mentors with mentees, and provide ongoing supervision and support for mentor pairs. Mentor coordinators will complete all reporting requirements and administer the Annual Survey. Mentor coordinators will work closely with the Mentor Training and Technical Assistance Manager to implement IHDF national materials and best practices.

Mentor Training & Technical Assistance Manager (IHDF National):

•The Mentor Training and Technical Assistance Manager will provide Mentor Coordinators and Affiliates with support and technical assistance. The Manager will develop and implement the Inspire the Dream framework and disseminate program materials to all participating Affiliates.

•The Manager will assess ongoing training needs of Affiliate members and customize training sessions accordingly. The manager will also implement and manage an evaluation process for all facets of mentor training.

•The Manager will conduct regular check-ins with Mentor Coordinators and program staff in order to successfully meet program goals and objectives.

Program Structure

Mentoring Strategies and Framework

Affiliates will choose at least one of these strategies to implement in their mentoring program. The national office will collect a Program Narrative from each Affiliate outlining the mentoring strategy they will be using.

Peer: Inspire the Dream will match elementary and middle-school age Dreamer/Dreamer Scholar to peers (middle or high-schoolers) for mentoring.

Academic: Inspire the Dream will match mentors with Dreamers/Dreamer Scholars to provide tutoring, homework help, and academic enrichment to youth in grades Pre-K - 12.

Community: Inspire the Dream will match Dreamers/Dreamer Scholars with members of the community. Mentors will focus on developing positive relationships with youth in grades Pre-K- 12th.

Key Goals: ANTI-BULLYING CURRICULUM FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

Staff: Inspire the Dream will match Dreamers/Dreamer Scholars with IHDF staff members.

Recruitment

Tips for Finding The Right Mentors:

Distribute materials to faith- and community based organizations, workplaces, and universities

Actively recruit mentors of color by collaborating with fraternities and sororities that target African American and/or Latinx individuals and partnering with university clubs and organizations that serve diverse populations

Connect with local United Way chapters and organizations that serve older adults

Advertise the opportunity to become a mentor in local outlets during National Mentoring Month (January) and National Volunteer Week (April)

Advertise on social media platforms and Volunteer Match

Host ”Bring A Friend” events for current mentors

To recruit peer mentors, conduct outreach to past or current Dreamer Scholars who recently graduated and still live in the Affiliate’s service area

Conducting an Information Session:

All prospective IHDF mentors must complete a volunteer application and attend an Information Session to learn more about the program, the screening policy, specific issues for the youth, and the time and energy commitment required.

Family engagement must be emphasized during all recruitment efforts and the Information Session.

Screening Mentors

Mentor Eligibility | Mentors Must

Be 18 (peer mentors may be younger)

Have 3 months established residency

Be employed, retired, or a student

Commit to one year of mentoring

IHDF Screening Checklist:

❏ Must complete the Basic Application and the Safety Application (applicable to ALL mentors, including peer)

❏ Must complete an in-depth, face-to-face interview with the Affiliate Program Director and/or Mentor Coordinator to assess program interest and suitability

❏ Must consent to a thorough background check and fingerprint search

❏ Must consent to a driving record check if mentor is planning on transporting mentee/s

❏ Must submit proof of car insurance if planning to transport mentee/s

❏ Must provide the Affiliate with at least two references

❏

Mentors are required to consent to three different screening processes: federal, state, and IHDF Screening. Please see the next page for details. 10

Screening Requirements

Please note that these searches must be conducted within 6 months prior to the mentor start date and must be done every five years or when suitability is in question. All search results must be documented and held on file for a period of 3 years after the end of the grant period.

Applicants are disqualified if:

● they have a record of committing a violent crime or criminal act involving a child or dependent adult have more than one DUI

● falsify information

● and/or fail to provide requested information.

No match is made until all background information is received and reviewed by the Executive Director and/or Mentor Coordinator.

Federal

Search (by current name, and any previous name(s) or aliases) on the:

Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website

Fingerprint Search

For individuals at least 18 years of age, a fingerprint search must be conducted encompassing at least the previous 5 years. The search must be done for each state in which the individual lives, works, goes to school, or has lived, worked, or gone to school for any length of time during the previous five years. The search must also be for the state in which the individual is expected to interact with a participating minor under this program

State

Public sex offender and child abuse websites/registries

Search (by current name, and, if applicable, by previous name(s) or aliases) on public sex offender and child abuse websites/registries for each state in which the individual lives, works, or goes to school, or has lived, worked, or gone to school at any time during the past five years. This search must also be for the state in which the individual is expected to interact with a participating minor under this program

Criminal history registries

(background checks) and similar repositories

Search the criminal history registry for each state in which the individual lives, works, or goes to school, or has lived, worked, or gone to school at any time during the past five years. This search must also be for the state in which the individual is expected to interact with a participating minor under this program

Mentors agree to meet with mentees based on the following guidelines:

Elementary School Students: Weekly 1 Hour Meetings (In-Person)

Middle School Students: 1 Hour meetings 2x a month 1 Hour Meetings

(One meeting can be virtual if permitted)

High School Students: Monthly 1 Hour Meetings

Mentors will also:

Document their match meetings in Salesforce each month. This documentation will be reviewed during supervision meetings.

Agree to monthly supervision meetings during the first year.

Agree to quarterly mentor meetings with other mentors and mentor coordinators (can be virtual).

Agree to pre-match training and ongoing training.

Mentors should engage with families consistently.

Step 1

Pre-Match Training (2 hours)

Can be offered in person or online. This training is intended to decrease unnecessary and early termination that stems from factors such as unrealistic expectations or poor communication skills. Topics should include culturally responsive mentoring (awareness, knowledge, skills and attitude), role modeling, active listening/communication, building supportive relationships, legal issues, tutoring skills, understanding key growth and development issues, building a positive working relationship with program staff, handling difficult questions, setting appropriate limits and boundaries with mentees and their caregivers, and suggestions for match activities

IHDF will inform families of the opportunity for their child to be paired with a mentor at least 1-2 months before a match is made to give the family time to understand program expectations and determine whether they can meet them.

Step 2

Match Review

Affiliate sites are encouraged to develop their own matching process, develop relevant forms, and implement effective matchmaking practices. Interest forms and interviews with mentees and their parent(s)/caregiver(s) can be helpful.

Step 3

Pre-Match Briefing

When a potential match is identified, Affiliate staff will provide both parties with information on the other. Objections should be addressed at this stage.

Step 4

Initial Meeting

When a parent, youth, mentor and staff all approve of a match, a facilitated first match meeting occurs at the youth’s home, school or Affiliate site. The meeting should be attended by the mentor coordinator, the mentor, the youth and their parent or guardian. During this time, the mentor and youth have an opportunity to spend a short period of time together to get acquainted in a place where the youth feels comfortable. Program expectations and commitments should also be reviewed and agreed to in writing, as well as the rules and guidelines for the match. This will considered the first supervision meeting.

Mentor Supervision

Month One

Mentor coordinators will have an initial match meeting with the mentee, parent/guardian, and mentor. At the end of the month, the mentor coordinator will check back in with the mentee, parent/guardian, and mentor to ensure that the match is going well.

Year One

Mentor coordinators will check-in with families on a monthly basis to provide updates.

Mentor coordinators will hold monthly supervision meetings with mentors. This can either be in a group setting or on an individual basis.

One Year +

After the mentor matches have been established for one year, monitoring and support can be offered on a quarterly basis, or more often as needed.

Ongoing

When successful matches complete, Mentor coordinators will conduct an exit interview and closure process to assess the program’s strengths and opportunities for improvement.

Every effort will be made to ensure that families are aware of the match progress and mentor coordinators/mentors will engage with family virtually/via phone if need be.

Mentor Support

All mentors will document match meetings on Salesforce.

Mentor coordinators will review documentation about match meetings (topics discussed, activities) and use them to determine whether or not the mentor needs additional support or resources. Mentor Coordinators are encouraged to work closely with Affiliate staff to host at least one group activity every quarter for mentors and their mentees, and/or provide information about activities that mentors and mentees can participate in together.

Affiliates are encouraged to host an annual gathering to recognize mentors and acknowledge their service.

As part of the family engagement requirement, mentor coordinators must update parent(s)/caregiver(s) on a monthly basis.

Affiliates can engage parents in their child’s success by conducting annual home visits, encouraging family members to attend social events and interact with their child’s mentor, and encouraging parent volunteerism at the child’s school.

In addition, affiliates can enhance the parent experience by holding workshops on popular topics like preventing youth substance use, financial health, the benefits of mentoring, and preparing students for college. These workshops can be held prior to matching with a mentor and during the match.

Ongoing Training

Mentor Coordinators

IHDF National will provide Affiliates with a comprehensive Mentor Toolkit that includes mentor manuals, policies and procedures, training decks, and other resources.

IHDF National hosts monthly Mentoring Collab meetings where training on data collection, surveying, and mentoring best practices are covered. Mentor Coordinators are required to attend the collabs as a OJJDP requirement.

As part of the OJJDP requirements, Inspire the Dream includes an anti-bullying curriculum for all Dreamers/Dreamer Scholar. Mentor Coordinators receive professional development and training on Overcoming Obstacles.

Mentors

Mentors will continue to receive post-match training on topics identified as relevant by each Affiliate to better serve Dreamers/Dreamer Scholars.

Anti-bullying Curriculum:

Overcoming Obstacles is a free, research-based, and award-winning K-12 life skills curricula that provides educators with hundreds of lessons to teach elementary, middle, and high school students the skills necessary for success.

Early Termination

In the rare event a mentorship ends early, Affiliates should provide counseling and rematching support to the displaced mentee, regardless of the reason for the termination. Affiliates will be asked to schedule a private exit interview with the mentor and mentee to determine why the match ended and what early interventions might have helped. This information should be used for rematching as well as for overall learning by the staff to improve effectiveness. In rare situations, a rematch may not be possible (e.g., the youth is struggling with severe mental health or emotional problems, the mentee family has relocated to a city without an IHDF affiliate, or the child’s guardian(s) decide they no longer want their child to participate). Where applicable, Affiliates may encourage former mentees to remain engaged in other aspects of IHDF programming.

Data Collection

IHDF National collects information through different methods. Mentor Coordinators are required to administer and collect all OJJDP Performance Measures.

There are three main components to the IHDF National Data Collection Plan:

Salesforce

Mentor Coordinator Semi-Annual Report

Inspire the Dream Mentee Survey

The Mentee Survey and the Semi-Annual Report are administered twice a year, once in the summer and once at the end of the year.

Salesforce data must be updated on a monthly basis.

Compliance Tips

Tips

Submit Subgrantee Performance Report Form by due date or there will be a hold on reimbursements

Attend trainings on Salesforce and the Annual Survey

Create systems to ensure mentors are recording meeting hours

Request additional assistance if unclear about what needs to be captured

Attend OJJDP webinars

Submit timesheets every week

Our Guiding Principles Inspire The Dream is...

Strengths-based. We will leverage the talents and resources of our youth.

Highly engaging. Giving youth a voice in choosing the activities they do with their mentor helps cultivate a positive relationship with a caring adult.

Culturally responsive. In addition, mentors represent the demographic diversity of the youth we serve.

Inclusive. Program participation is open to all youth, with no restrictions on who can become a mentee. Highly collaborative. Staff, parents, mentees and mentors support one another.

Focused on family involvement and commitment. Families are our priority; Inspire the Dream is designed to be sustainable.