department of corrections mentoring initiative. goals and objectives 1.fully understand what...
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Department of Corrections Mentoring Initiative
Goals and Objectives
1. Fully understand what mentoring is.2. How to recruit volunteers and work
with local schools and children's organizations.
3. How to properly report hours on PeoplesFirst and/or DCs internal tracking system.
4. Understand the leave policy
What is a Mentor?
A wise and trusted counselor or teacher A friend, counselor or teacher. Someone to provide an example and good
advice as someone grows and develops. An adult who provides young people with
support, counsel, friendship, positive reinforcement and constructive example.
What a Mentor Is…
A guide A friend A good listener A coach A responsible adult A person who cares A person who wants to help bring out
strengths a young person already has
What a Mentor Is Not…
A savior A foster parent A therapist A cool peer
Difference Between a Mentor and Tutor
A mentor is someone willing to devote time to the success of a child through friendship, encouragement and praise
A tutor is someone that is willing to provide one-on-one assistance to increase a child’s mastery of reading, match concepts, English, or other subjects
You Don’t Need Special Education or Skills to be a Mentor or
Volunteer…
If you play a musical instrument, you can share that talent.
If you like to read, you can share that love. You can judge spelling bees. Participate in religious-centered programs
like Royal Rangers. Essentially, there are many ways you can
participate in mentoring – you are not tied to one specific method or type of organization in which you can participate.
Governor’s Mentoring Initiative
DC’s Mentoring Initiative is part of this initiative.
Begun in 1999 to encourage state employees to become mentors.
The Governor’s Mentoring Initiative is an effort to recruit Floridians to become mentors and make a difference in the lives of Florida’s youths.
This initiative is not a program – it is a process to change the way we involve ourselves in helping those around us.
Governor’s Mentoring Initiative
Governor Bush’s goal is to recruit 200,000 Floridians to become “new” mentors.
This is a hands-on opportunity for the citizens of Florida to help change our schools and investing
Goals…
Governor’s Mentoring Initiative
Governor Bush’s goal is to recruit 200,000 Floridians to become “new” mentors.
10% of all state employees. For DC, this is 2,600.
This is a hands-on opportunity for the citizens of Florida to help change our schools and investing.
Goals…
Governor’s Mentoring Initiative
Section 14.295, Florida StatutesFlorida Volunteer and Community Service Act of 2001
“It is the intent of the Legislature to promote the development of better communities by fostering greater civic responsibility through volunteerism and service to the community…”
Supported by the Legislature…
Why Mentor?
The future of the state depends on the investment we make today.
We are all responsible for the “state” of our state, both now and into the future.
One person can made a difference.
Why Mentor?
U.S. Department of Justice says 50% of all adults in federal and state correctional institutions cannot read or write at all.
Only about one-third of those in prison have completed high school.
The typical 25 year old male inmate functions 2-3 grade levels below the grade actually completed.
U.S. Department of Education statistics show that 60% of prison inmates are illiterate and 85% of all juvenile offenders have reading problems.
Why Mentor?
52% less likely to skip school.
27% less likely to begin drinking alcohol
46% less likely to start using drugs.
33% less likely to engage in a fight.
A child mentored is:
Any child can use a mentor!
Why Mentor?
The demand is great – every town in Florida has long waiting lists for mentors
Mentoring can be one-on-one, in groups, or e-mentoring, where you can mentor on-line.
Make A Difference
Types of Mentoring
You can “share” a child where co-mentor or partner with another person in your office.
Alternate weeks with a co-worker or partner if you have a heavy workload.
If you wish to work in a group with lots of kids, let the school volunteer coordinator know.
Participate in e-mentoring with a child.
Opportunities
Mentor at public, private, or parochial schools
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Boys and Girls Clubs Guardian ad Litem Best Buddies Communities in
Schools Take Stock in
Children
Decisions to Make…
What age or grade level do you want to mentor?
Do you want to mentor one-on-one or in a group setting?
Where do you want to mentor?
Age or Grade Level…
Elementary School level…Kindergarten through 5th grade5 – 10 years oldWill do mostly tutoringCan partner with another mentor so that you can alternate weeks
Age or Grade Level…
Middle School6th grade through 8th grade11 – 13 years-oldHormones beginning to drive actionsSome tutoring; more guidance and goal settingSchools advise no partnering with another mentor – seeking stability
Age or Grade Level…
High School9th through 12th grade14 – 18 years-oldRaging hormonesPrimarily mentoring, which may include goal setting, encouragement, and guidance.
No mentoring partnering
One-on-One or Group Mentoring?
Greatest need is one-on-one mentoring, but it does require a commitment of at least one hour per week with a student during the school year.
Group mentoring could include:Making a presentation to a classJudging a science or history fair, speech, or spelling contest, etc.
Where to Mentor?
Partner schools School near your home or on your
way to work School where your own child
attends Big Brothers, Big Sisters Boys and Girls Clubs Guardian ad Litem
Getting Started
For the mentor: Talk to the mentoring coordinator Obtain your supervisor’s approval Complete Form DC5-148A Contact the school volunteer/mentor
coordinator Complete the school
application/background check School coordinator will assign you a child Report your hours to your Regional Time
Keeper using form DC5-148B and in PeopleFirst
Getting Started
Complete the Application for Participation in Volunteer Opportunities
Name
Work address
School requested
Availability
Type of activity – Mentoring, special school wide projects and events, assisting economically disadvantaged students, community based activities that serve children, elder, or human needs or church-sponsored community based projects
Submit to Chris Akins – contact information is on the form.
You do NOT need to complete a new application when your schedule changes or you wish to change schools or type of activity, unless your Supervisor requires it.
Simply obtain your Supervisor’s approval for the change and continue your mentoring/volunteering.
Reporting Mentoring Hours
Two Methods
1.PeopleFirst2.Department of Corrections
Volunteer/Mentor Record (DC5-148B)
Reporting Mentoring Hours
PeopleFirst Use Code “0044” to report
Administrative Leave Mentoring/Volunteer Hours
Use Code “1008” to report Mentoring/Volunteer Hours outside of work.
Reporting Mentoring Hours
Reporting Mentoring Hours
Department of Corrections Volunteer/Mentor Record
(DC5-148B)
Simply include your:
Name
Social Security Number
Pay Plan
Work Location
Mentoring Information – location and hours
Send to your Regional Time Keeper!
Why Record Non-Mentoring Hours?
We report to the Governor’s office the number of hours spent mentoring and/or volunteers each quarter.
Non-work hours and volunteers count toward the 10% goal of all employees.
Such reports place Corrections in a favorable light with the Governor, Legislature, media, and the communities in which we serve.
You will be eligible for recognition and various awards program.
Where are we now?
Mentoring Statistics from July 1st, 2005 to October 10th, 2005:
Total Number of Employee's Mentoring: 361 Total Number of Mentoring Records for Schools:
246 Total Number of Mentoring Records for
Community Organizations: 115 Total Number of Administrative Leave Hours:
516.25 Total Number of Non-Working Mentoring Hours:
1,345.75
Where do we need to be?
By June 30th, 2006, we need at least 2,600 mentors.
2,600 mentors volunteering one hour 26 times per year would be 67,600 hours.
What Kind of Awards or Recognition
Governor’s Points of Light AwardGovernor’s Mentoring Initiative Award of Excellence – prize is Carnival Cruise for 2
Recognition on DC’s Mentoring webpage
You Must Take the Initiative
The statewide coordinator is here to assist you.
However, it is up to you and the mentors to contact the school and follow-up with the school volunteer coordinator.
It is your responsibility to report your volunteer hours.
Leave Policy
ALWAYS GET YOUR SUPERVISOR’S PERMISSION!
The supervisor always has final authority.
Leave Policy
Employees are allowed one hour per week in Administrative Leave to perform mentoring services.
In certain situations, an employee can use up to four hours at one time, however, that employee will have to wait for four weeks before being able to take Administrative Leave again for mentoring.
If you have any questions…
Robert WoodyChief, Community Relations
850-922-3868
If you have any questions…
Chris Akins
Statewide Mentoring Coordinator
Executive Director, Corrections Foundation
850-488-1250
Volunteers Needed
Guardian ad Litem
A Volunteer Guardian ad Litem is an individual who is appointed by the court to advocate for children who come into the court system primarily as a result of alleged abuse or neglect. Volunteer Guardian ad Litems are:
•Individuals who respects a child's inherent right to grow up with dignity in a safe environment that meets that child's best interests. •Individuals who assures that the child's best interests are represented in the court at every stage of the case.
Volunteers Needed
Guardian ad Litem
How much time must I commit as a Volunteer Guardian ad Litem?
A Guardian ad Litem must successfully complete 30 hours of certification training and 6 hours annually of recertification training, and spend an average of 11.75 hours per month with the child.
Volunteers Needed
Guardian ad Litem
What is the role of the Guardian ad Litem? The Guardian ad Litem carries out the following activities:
Investigation: Carries out an objective, systematic examination of the situation, including relevant history, environment, relationships, and needs of the child. The GAL interviews family, friends, neighbors and members of the child's school.
Facilitation: Identifies resources and services for the child and facilitates a collaborative relationship between all parties involved in the case, helping to create a situation in which the child's needs are met.
Advocacy: Conveys the best interests of the child to the court and relevant agencies.
Monitoring: Keeps track of whether the orders of the court, as well as the plans of the Department of Children and Families, are carried out.
Volunteers Needed
Guardian ad Litem
http://www.guardianadlitem.org/
1-866-341-1425