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Technical Assistance and Customized Training

Since 1992, BBBS of NYC's Center for Training and Professional Development has provided quality training and technical assistance to community-based organizations to address program challenges and to develop innovative approaches to enhance existing or developing mentoring programs.

Through in-person, phone or written consultations, we provide free advice and resources around issues facing an organization dealing with mentoring programs. Some examples include:

• Review and feedback of program policies/procedures or grant proposals
• Discussion and clarification of a program's mission, goals and ways to evaluate progress
  toward reaching those goals
• Provision of resources about recruiting and screening volunteers
• Tips on managing volunteers, youth and families

On-site training:
We develop and facilitate customized training for other organizations' volunteers and/or staff. This is a fee-based service. Some training topics include:

• Exploring the Role of the Volunteer
• Relationship Building with Youth
• Communication Skills
• Youth Development
• Managing Cultural Diversity
• Training the Trainer
• Various other programmatic issues

For more information on receiving Technical Assistance or to set up customized training please contact the Training Center at (212) 686-2042 or email training@bigsnyc.org.

Legislation

Now is the time for youth-serving organizations to join the ever-growing coalition of agencies in support of the Quality Mentoring Act. The proposed legislation is co-sponsored by Senator Dale Volker (R-59th District) and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-88th District).

The Steering Committee for Mentoring Supervisor Certification is a collaborative effort among nearly 150 youth-serving agencies across New York State to raise recognition, professionalism and safe standards for youth mentoring. The Steering Committee championed the passage of the Safe Mentoring Act in August 2006, which gives mentoring agencies across the state access to New York State fingerprinting and requires these agencies to inform parents of the kinds of background checks they run.

The Steering Committee is now seeking the passage of the Quality Mentoring Act, legislation to offer optional state certification for Mentoring Supervisors in New York State, which will also greatly enhance the recognition, services and safety of the field.

The bill would accomplish the following:

• Create an Advisory Board for Mentoring to provide guidance on the practice of mentoring supervision;
• Create curricula and curricula guidelines for the training of Mentor Supervisors;
• Establish a process for reviewing and granting certification for Mentor Supervisors;
• Create mentoring program quality guidelines; and
• Establish a mentoring certification fund.

Click here for Safe Mentoring Act

Click here for Quality Mentoring Act

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Mentoring Program Coaching

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City’s Center for Training and Professional Development (the Center) has established a new service called Mentoring Program Coaching. The Center will choose 10 other non-profit agencies to provide Professional Coaching in the realm of mentoring program development and enhancement. The purpose is to support community-based agencies that are either starting or expanding mentoring programs. All recipients will receive a small stipend ($2,000), ongoing technical assistance, and be linked to a common outcome reporting system.

To apply, please click here to complete an on-line application through Zoomerang. Applications will be due September 1, 2009.

Click here for more information about the program and application guidelines.