Compeer

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The Compeer Youth Mentoring Program is  an evidence based mentoring program that encourages youth who are at-risk of developing social, emotional, and behavioral issues to build self-confidence, self-reliance, and healthy relationships.  A referral to Compeer can be initiated in one of two ways:  If a child is working with a mental health professional, such as a counselor or case manager, they can refer a child to Compeer. Parents or guardians can also initiate a referral by contacting us directly.  Compeer is voluntary, so the child and their guardian must want to participate.  Each child is assessed by our professional staff to determine whether our program is a good fit for the child and their family. Any child referred to Compeer must be actively participating in their recommended Mental health treatment. Because safety of all participants in our program is the number one concern, Children and youth who currently display  significant behavioral concerns (such as physical aggression or elopement)  or  severe communication issues (such as being non-verbal) will  not be considered for Compeer.  Guidance for our local programs is provided by Compeer International, which is headquartered in Buffalo New York.

Mentors are screened through the following procedures:

• Criminal Record Checks – Layered at the local, state, and National level
• Public Record search
• Driving Record search
• In-person interview with professional staff
• Personal and Professional references
• Volunteer assessment – a professional summary of personality, location, hobbies, and preferences for a match to help in selecting the best volunteer opportunity for them

Mentors also receive training in the areas of personal safety, child and youth protection, and program expectations.

Once a child is accepted into  Compeer and matched with a mentor, relationship development, child safety, and child development will be monitored regularly by our case manager. The monitoring will include input from the child, mentor, parent/guardian, and the professional that referred the child to the program.

Volunteers are asked to spend approximately four hours a month with their mentee, for a period of one year. Compeer also offers group mentoring programs, where several volunteers meet with a small group of children and youth twice a month. These programs foster social skills development with peers and mentors, and allow each child to have new experiences and discover new paths to success.

Director: Allisyn Wolfe

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