English
Español Hunterdon Prevention Resources
4 Walter Foran Blvd., Suite 410
Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 782-3909
HPR 2011
Mentoring Children of Prisoners
Hunterdon Prevention Resources (HPR), together with Morris County Prevention Is Key (MCPIK) and NORWESCAP, was awarded a federal grant for mentoring children (ages 4 – 18) who have a parent or guardian incarcerated in a federal or state prison facility.
Effective mentoring programs result in better school attendance, positive student attitudes, and a reduced likelihood of initiating drug and alcohol use. Youth can realize their potential when encouraged by a mentor to reach new heights; mentors help guide them along the path to achievement.
HPR, MCPIK and NORWESCAP have initiated their JUST 1 mentoring program. The purpose of this program is to create quality lasting relationships by providing opportunities for youth to gain new skills and interests, and expanding their experiences beyond their families, schools and community.
Training on the mentoring process will be provided to those who wish to participate in the JUST 1 program. Anyone interested in becoming a mentor or a mentee must submit a written application, attend free Mentor/Mentee Certification training, participate in an in-depth interview and agree to a free background screening (mentors only).
For more information, please click on the Register Now button above and a HPR representative will contact you shortly.
Mentees
Dear Parent/Guardian,
You have just taken the first step in making a positive impact on your child and your family.
It is our goal to give your child a positive and lasting relationship that will be a source of motivation and encouragement to help gain greater self-esteem. We want each youth to generate positive relationships with family and friends, improve school performance, instill healthy values, and good decision making skills.
The involvement of the parent/guardian is vital to the success of this Mentoring relationship.
All of our mentors are professionally trained and carefully screened through multiple interviews. This is to ensure the quality and safety of both involved in the Mentoring relationship.
In order to be eligible to be mentored, your youth must:
- Be 4–18 years old
- Have a parent or guardian who is currently incarcerated in a state or federal corrections system at the time of application
- Or, remanded to county prison by the state or federal corrections system
- Or, remanded to mental health, residential or substance abuse treatment programs by the state or federal corrections system
- Reside in Hunterdon, Morris or Passaic counties
- Demonstrate a desire to participate in the program and be willing to abide by all mentoring program policies and procedures
- Be able to obtain parental/guardian permission and ongoing support for participation in the program
- Agree to a one-year commitment to the program
- Commit to spending a minimum of five hours a month with the mentor or a minimum average of one hour a week
- Complete the screening procedure
- Agree to attend mentee and parent trainings as required
- Be willing to communicate regularly with the program coordinator and discuss monthly meeting and activity information
Our organization, the mentor, and the child and parent/guardian enter into this process voluntarily and no one is under any obligation to proceed with the process.
The application process for Mentees is as follows:
1. Submit a written application (a copy of which is attached below) that includes:
- Consent forms
- Mentee Interest Survey
2. Participate in two hours of mentee and/or parent/guardian training. Training is free of charge and will be scheduled at various times and locations convenient to you. At the conclusion of the training, the trainer will award you a Mentee Certificate.
3. After training has been completed, both child and parent/guardian will be scheduled for a personal interview in a location convenient to you.
4. After all of your materials are reviewed, the final disposition of your application will be determined and you will receive a letter stating whether you have been accepted into the program.
5. At that time, we will begin to search our files for a mentor that we feel you will be successfully matched with. We will telephone you with a non-identifying description of the mentor. If you determine that this is a mentor you may want your child to be matched with, we contact the mentor with a non-identifying description of the child.
6. If all parties agree to pursue the match, a meeting will be scheduled between the mentor, the parent/guardian and the child. At that meeting, match contracts and contact information will be explained, exchanged and signed.
7. You may then begin to schedule activities and build a lasting friendship with your mentor.
8. During the duration of the match, we coordinate monthly support and supervision contact with you, your mentor and the parent or guardian in order to lower the risk factors, strengthen the relationship, and help you with any issues you may encounter.
In addition to a similar application process, Mentors are required to participate in twelve hours of mentor training and a background check that includes criminal history and driving record.
If you or someone you know are interested in our JUST 1 mentoring program, please click on the Register Now button above or contact Cathy Canterino, Mentoring Coordinator at HPR, at 908-782-3909 or ccanterino@hunterdonprevention.com.
Mentors
Dear Mentor/Volunteer,
Mentoring is the single most powerful human tool. By volunteering an average of just one hour a week, you have the power to transform a child’s life into a happier, healthier and more successful one. This is accomplished through providing support, friendship, reinforcement, opportunity, and constructive examples.
In order to be eligible to apply to be a mentor, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be willing to adhere to all policies and procedures
- Agree to a one-year commitment to the program
- Commit to spending a minimum of five hours a month with the mentee or a minimum average of one hour a week
- Complete the screening procedure
- Agree to attend mentor trainings as required
- Be willing to communicate regularly with the program coordinator and submit monthly meeting and activity information
- Have a current driver’s license, auto insurance, and good driving record
- Have a clean criminal history where you were never accused, arrested, charged, or convicted of child abuse or molestation
- Have never been convicted of a felony. If the applicant has been convicted of a felony, then they may be considered only after a period of seven years with demonstrated good behavior and an appropriate and corrective attitude regarding past behaviors.
- Not be a user of illicit drugs
- Not use alcohol or controlled substances in an excessive or inappropriate manner
- Not use alcoholic beverages 24 hours prior to meeting with mentees
In order to provide you with the tools to be the best mentor and develop a lasting friendship with your mentee, we have the following application process. (Our organization, the mentor, and the child and parent/guardian enter into this process voluntarily and no one is under any obligation to proceed with the process.)
1. Submit a written application that includes:
- Consent forms
- Personal and employment references
2. Participate in twelve hours of mentor training* that includes:
- Policies and Procedures
- The Impact of Incarceration on Child Development
- Family Dynamics
- Cultural Sensitivity
- The Value of Mentoring
- Positive Youth Development
* Training is free of charge and will be scheduled at various times and locations convenient to you. Some of the training may be completed on-line. At the conclusion of the training, the trainer will award you a Mentoring Certificate.
3. After the successful completion of the first portion of training, you will be asked to participate in a background check that includes criminal history and driving record. References provided on the application will be called at this time also.
4. After we have received your background information, you will be scheduled for a personal interview in a location convenient to you.
5. After all of your materials are reviewed, the final disposition of your application will be determined and you will receive a letter stating whether you have been accepted into the program.
6. At that time, we will begin to search our files for a child that we feel you will be successfully matched with. We will telephone you with a non-identifying description of the child. If you determine that this is a child you may want to be matched with, we contact the parent or guardian with a non-identifying description of you.
7. If you and the parent or guardian agree to pursue the match, a meeting will be scheduled between you, the parent/guardian and the child. At that meeting, match contracts and contact information will be explained, exchanged and signed.
8. You may then begin to schedule activities and build a lasting friendship with your mentee.
9. During the duration of the match, we coordinate monthly support and supervision contact with you, your mentee and the parent or guardian in order to lower the risk factors, strengthen the relationship, and help you with any issues you may encounter.
The children and the parents/guardians are required to participate in a similar application and screening process.
It is our goal to match you with a child as quickly as possible. If you feel that the process is delayed or you have questions, please do not hesitate to check in with us.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please click on the Register Now button above or contact Cathy Canterino, Mentoring Coordinator at HPR, at 908-782-3909 or ccanterino@hunterdonprevention.com. If submitting an online request, in the Comments field, please provide how you heard about our mentoring program.
Thank you.
