3-197 - Implementing Effective Mentoring Interventions: A Conversation About Challenges, Strategies, Successes, and Future Directions

Session Type: Conversation Roundtable

Integrative Statement

There are approximately 7 million youth enrolled in structured mentoring relationships (MENTOR, 2014) and even more youth involved in unstructured or natural mentoring relationships (Beam, Chen, & Greenberger, 2002). The popularity of mentoring initiatives can be attributed to positive impacts found on youth academic, behavioral, and psychological outcomes (DuBois et al., 2010; Tolan et al., 2014). However, several evaluations have produced an inconsistent picture of the effectiveness of mentoring (DuBois, Holloway, Valentine, & Cooper, 2002; Wheeler, Keller & DuBois, 2010). This is because the impact of mentoring programs is tied to the quality of those programs. The quality of programs subsequently depends on the implementation of structures meant to engender safe and supportive relationships between mentors and mentees (Deutsch & Spencer, 2009). Given the complexity and popularity of mentoring interventions, this Conversation Roundtable brings together experts in mentoring interventions to discuss challenges faced, strategies used, successes achieved, and future directions for the field. Panelists have implemented both studied both structured and natural mentoring relationships with a variety of youth populations. Examples of challenges to be discussed are insufficient resources (e.g., human, financial), inadequate infrastructure (e.g., not strong or clear leadership), and limited knowledge, understanding, and expectations from stakeholders, volunteers, or community members. Moderator: Dr. Jonathan Zaff. Panelists: Dr. Renee Spencer, Dr. Sarah Schwartz, Dr. Shannon Varga, and Dr. Tim Cavell.

Sub Unit

• Social Relationships

Moderator

• Jon Zaff, Center for Promise

Panelists

• Sarah E.O. Schwartz, Suffolk University

• Renee Spencer, Boston University School of Social Work

• TIM CAVELL, University of Arkansas

• Shannon M. Varga, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Center for Promise Boston University, Wheelock College of Education and Human Development