|
The Howard Center for Human Services First Call for Children and Families |
To contact
First Call |
|---|
|
The Howard Center for Human Services First Call for Children and Families |
To contact
First Call |
|---|
THE TWENTIETH PRINCIPLE ADULT-TO-YOUTH AND PEER MENTORING Big Brother Big Sister Of America (BBBS) studied the effects of adult mentoring on adolescent behaviors. Public/Private Ventures of Philadelphia completed research on 959 boys and girls ages 10 to 16; these youth met with an adult mentor three times each month for a one year period in eight urban areas. After 18 months youth with BBBS mentors showed the following outcomes. 1. They were 46% less likely to initiate drug use. 2. They were 27% less likely to initiate alcohol use. 3. They were 32% less likely to hit another person. 4. They cut/skipped 50% less school days. 5. They cut less classes. 6. They showed modest improvements in grade point averages. You may also wish to have your child involved in a peer prevention program. Drug-free peer programs represent a viable alternative to normative American substance abuse. Project Northland programs enhanced youth participation in planning and power sharing for alcohol-free social activities. Planners (youth who participated in actual event planning and power sharing) showed positive correlation with reduced alcohol use. Alcohol and other drug-free events and the correction of misperception about peer use norms may have played important roles in reducing drug use.
HELPFUL HINTS IN ADULT-TO-CHILD MENTORING 1. If you are concerned about your child's development, seek out adult mentors from established service programs. 2. If necessary, utilize a well-adjusted youth from your friends' families. Be sure the youth you select is not a substance abuser. 3. Before you utilize a mentor inquire about whether or not the mentor has been screened for substance abuse, legal and sexual perpetration problems. 4. Have your child participate in peer-led, adult-supervised alcohol and other drug-free social activities. Contact your child's school or community prevention services for information.
HELPFUL SOURCES OF INFORMATION Big Brother Big Sister of America (1995). Making a Difference.; and, Komro, K.A. et.al. (1996). Peer planned social activities for preventing alcohol use...Journal of School Health,66(9), 328-334. Community Friends, The Howard Center's Mentoring program. For more information, click here. |
