Strategy. Focused Approaches to Youth Mentoring
Approach. Offer focused approaches to youth mentoring to better meet the needs of specific youth.
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Overview. Focused approaches to youth mentoring emphasize the importance of combining the relational component of mentoring with evidence-based, problem-specific interventions to better meet the individual needs of mentees. By addressing specific skills development and addressing specific concerns, focused mentoring programs have the potential to enhance the effectiveness and impact of youth mentoring interventions.[1]
Evidence. Scientifically Rigorous Evidence.
Strategies with this rating are most likely to be effective...
Access the peer-reviewed evidence through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source.
Outcome Components.
This strategy has shown to have impact on the following outcomes
(Read more about these categories):
- Quality of Care. This strategy promotes the degree to which healthcare services meet established standards aimed at achieving optimal health outcomes.
- Utilization. This strategy improves the extent to which individuals and communities use available healthcare services.
Detailed Outcomes.
For specific outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy,
access the peer-reviewed evidence
and read the Intervention Results for each study.
Intervention Type.
Community Organizing (Read more about intervention types and levels as defined by the
Public Health Intervention Wheel).
Intervention Level.
Individual/Family-Focused
Examples from the Field.
There are currently no ESMs that use this strategy. Search similar intervention components in the
ESM database.
Sample ESMs.
Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the RBA framework
(see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).
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Quadrant 1:
Measuring Quantity of Effort (“What/how much did we do?”)
- Number of youth from tailored populations who are matched with mentors through focused mentoring programs. (Assesses reach and engagement of specific youth populations)
Number of mentors recruited, trained, and supported to provide responsive and population-specific mentoring to youth from specific communities. (Shows mentor capacity and preparedness for focused approaches)
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Quadrant 2:
Measuring Quality of Effort (“How well did we do it?”)
- Percent of focused mentoring programs that are designed and implemented in close partnership with youth, families, and communities from the tailored populations. (Measures authentic community engagement and co-creation in program design)
Percent of focused mentoring programs that utilize evidence-based practices and approaches specific to the needs and strengths of the tailored youth populations. (Shows use of population-specific and contextualized best practices)
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Quadrant 3:
Measuring Quantity of Effect (“Is anyone better off?”)
- Number of youth from tailored populations who report high levels of satisfaction and a sense of belonging in their focused mentoring experiences. (Measures youth-perceived quality and responsiveness of focused approaches)
Number of youth from tailored populations who demonstrate increased self-efficacy, positive identity development, and social capital specific to their context and aspirations as a result of focused mentoring. (Assesses impact on youth support and asset-building)
Number of youth from tailored populations who experience improved long-term outcomes and life trajectories, such as increased educational attainment, workforce success, and civic engagement, as a result of focused mentoring support. (Measures life-course impact and social mobility for specific youth)
Number of youth-led support and organizing efforts catalyzed by focused mentoring programs to address systemic barriers and root causes of health outcomes facing youth populations. (Shows youth-driven systems change and transformation)
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Quadrant 4:
Measuring Quality of Effect (“How are they better off?”)
- Percent of youth from tailored populations who report high levels of satisfaction, and a sense of belonging in their focused mentoring experiences. (Measures youth-perceived quality and responsiveness of focused approaches)
Percent of youth from tailored populations who demonstrate increased self-efficacy, positive identity development, and social capital specific to their context and aspirations as a result of focused mentoring. (Assesses impact on youth support and asset-building)
Percent of youth from tailored populations who experience improved long-term outcomes and life trajectories, such as increased educational attainment, workforce success, and civic engagement, as a result of focused mentoring support. (Measures life-course impact and social mobility for specific youth)
Percent of youth-led support and organizing efforts catalyzed by focused mentoring programs to address systemic barriers and root causes of health outcomes facing youth populations. (Shows youth-driven systems change and transformation)
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Note. When looking at your ESMs, SPMs, or other strategies:
- Move from measuring quantity to quality.
- Move from measuring effort to effect.
- Quadrant 1 strategies should be used sparingly, when no other data exists.
- The most effective measurement combines strategies in all levels, with most in Quadrants 2 and 4.
Learn More. Read how to create stronger ESMs and how to measure ESM impact more meaningfully through Results-Based Accountability.
References
[1] Christensen KM, Hagler MA, Stams GJ, Raposa EB, Burton S, Rhodes JE. Non-Specific versus Targeted Approaches to Youth Mentoring: A Follow-up Meta-analysis. J Youth Adolesc. 2020 May;49(5):959-972. doi: 10.1007/s10964-020-01233-x. Epub 2020 Apr 15. PMID: 32297173.
