Mentoring opportunities are available to add another stable and caring adult to the life of a child in turmoil and transition. We often work with Big Brothers/Bis Sisters of Texas to match children with a great mentor and role model.The Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2003 (S.1419 1st Session 108th Congress) failed to pass, but the studies from which it was based state that: Research shows that caring adults can make a difference in children’s lives. Forty-five percent of mentored teens are less likely to use drugs. Fifty-nine percent of mentored teens have better academic performance. Seventy-three percent of mentored teens achieve higher goals generally. - Children who have mentors have better relationships with adults, fewer disciplinary referrals, and more confidence to achieve their goals.
- In 2001, over 124,000 children were under the age of 10 when they were removed from their parents or caretakers.
Mentor programs that serve foster children are unique and require additional considerations including specialized training and support necessary to provide for consistent, long term relationships for children in care. Mentor programs are cost effective approaches to decreasing the occurrence of many social ills such as teen pregnancy, substance abuse, incarceration and violence.
|
|
|
|
