Mentoring Guidebook: A Practical Manual for Designing and Managing a Mentoring Program

Mentoring at-risk students has become one of the fastest growing and frequently used strategies across the nation to help young people. This document examines the structure and implementation of mentoring programs. Chapter 1 discusses mentoring as an appropriate and effective strategy. The mentoring relationship is examined, natural versus planned mentoring is discussed, and program types and examples are provided. Chapter 2 considers needs assessment issues. Analysis of data, program costs, liability, and support are discussed. Chapter 3 looks at program management; goal setting, clarifying objectives, evaluating a program, goals and rationales, setting timelines, and a timetable for a mentoring program are addressed. Chapter 4 discusses the identification, selection, and recruitment of protAAEAA(C)gAAEAA(C)s, training, and orienting. Chapter 5 deals with finding and selecting mentors and publicizing the program. Also discussed are matching mentors and protAAEAA(C)gAAEAA(C)s, mentor orientation and training, and the first meeting. Chapter 6 contains information about managing the program; mentor contact, protAAEAA(C)gAAEAA(C) contact, and supervising the match are discussed. Also included is information about group activities, recognizing mentors and protAAEAA(C)gAAEAA(C)s, expanding and refining the program, and terminating mentors and protAAEAA(C)gAAEAA(C)s. Sample forms which can be used by program planners are included and discussed in the appendices. (ERIC)